The Dos & Don’ts of Supporting Your Child With Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health concerns out there. Even though many adults suffer from it, it seems almost cruel that our children are prone to anxiety, too. Yes, you heard that right—children can have anxiety, too.
When children are growing up, it can be difficult to understand if their general fears and worries are just part of growing up. It’s hard to know at which point anxiety seems too severe in your child: everyone worries about different situations, no matter their age. The difference between general worrying and anxiety disorders is their severity.
To better understand how to help your child and what you shouldn’t do, let’s first look at some classic signs and symptoms of anxiety and how they present themselves in children.
Signs Of Anxiety In Children
Anxiety presents itself in many ways. For children, these can include:
Unrealistic fears
Avoidance of anything they feel overwhelmed by
Self-esteem issues or feeling really self-conscious
Stomach aches and/or headaches that happen frequently
Worrying over things they have no control over
The Dos And Don’ts of Helping Your Child With Anxiety
Knowing how best to handle a child’s anxiety can overwhelm many parents. After all, you don’t want to make it even worse for them. Here are some basic dos and don’ts to help guide you through.
Don’t Make Them Feel Like They Are Overreacting
As hard as it is to understand what they are feeling, try to listen and validate their feelings rather than make them feel like they are blowing something out of proportion. Even if you feel like it is silly, they don’t need to be told that it is. They don’t understand why it is worrying them so much, either. There’s nothing worse than when someone makes you feel as if you’re being too sensitive, crazy, or dramatic for no reason. Children are no exception to this. Listening and empathizing with what they are going through prevents them from feeling dismissed or ignored by the adults closest to them.
Do Make Them Feel Supported
As adults, we often know when we are being irrational about something. Children don’t. Instead, do your best to support them and listen to their fears and worries. It will help them to talk through it with you. Ask them why they are worried about it. Then try to reframe it in a more helpful, balanced, and positive light. If they are concerned about being away from home, remind them of past successes, praise them for being brave, and reassure them you are only a call or text away if they’re feeling homesick.
Do Show Them How To Cope
Kids are very receptive and understanding of how we handle things as adults. Try your best, but try to show them healthy ways of dealing with stress and anxiety when you are feeling overwhelmed.
Do Encourage Them When You See They Handled Something Well
Encouragement is so important when it comes to guiding children. When you see that they are struggling with something, encourage them with kind words. If you see that they are nervous about a test, tell them you saw how hard they tried. “I know how nervous you were to take it, but you did a good job studying and preparing for it. I’m proud of you.” Even if they don’t get the best grades, they will appreciate that you are noticing the effort.
Don’t Be Afraid To Help Them Talk To A Therapist
It’s a scary feeling knowing that your child is struggling with their mental health. This does not reflect you as a parent. It’s normal for anxiety to start presenting itself in childhood. However, there are certainly ways to combat this early on so it doesn’t worsen over time.
Let’s connect soon for anxiety treatment or child therapy so you can help them feel supported during these challenging periods.
