Anxiety and Excessive Worry
by Dr Brown
It's not uncommon for children to have worries as they grow. Most come and go without any serious or persistent symptoms. However, when the worries become excessive and begin to change how a child behaves at home and outside the home is when anxieties become a concern. Anxieties can also lead to physical symptoms such as stomach aches and headaches. When children begin to avoid typical social situations, perseverate on things that cause them to miss out or be late for things, or cause physical symptoms, then there's reason for concern and a need to intervene.
Anxiety can cause a toxic cycle of maladaptive thoughts and feelings with subsequent avoidant behaviors to reduce uncomfortable feelings. The fear of "what if" can cause a child to think about negative consequences and elicit avoidant and "stalling" type behaviors, hindering them from carrying on with a normal activity, etc.
Specialists refer to the "Anxiety Triad" of Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors to explain the basis for anxiety. Improper and incorrect Thoughts lead to Feelings of danger and subsequent avoidant Behaviors. It's important for parents to:
Below are some books to help you understand what's going on with your child. There are also some tools that you can use to help your child. This list was taken from an article from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Pediatric Anxiety: Tools and Resources for Primary Care
Carolyn Bridgemohan, M.D., FAAP and Carol Weitzman, M.D., FAAP
Tools, Apps, and Activities
Glitter jarsSTAR breathing charts and other coping tools
Copyright © 2018 American Academy of Pediatrics
by Dr Brown
It's not uncommon for children to have worries as they grow. Most come and go without any serious or persistent symptoms. However, when the worries become excessive and begin to change how a child behaves at home and outside the home is when anxieties become a concern. Anxieties can also lead to physical symptoms such as stomach aches and headaches. When children begin to avoid typical social situations, perseverate on things that cause them to miss out or be late for things, or cause physical symptoms, then there's reason for concern and a need to intervene.
Anxiety can cause a toxic cycle of maladaptive thoughts and feelings with subsequent avoidant behaviors to reduce uncomfortable feelings. The fear of "what if" can cause a child to think about negative consequences and elicit avoidant and "stalling" type behaviors, hindering them from carrying on with a normal activity, etc.
Specialists refer to the "Anxiety Triad" of Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors to explain the basis for anxiety. Improper and incorrect Thoughts lead to Feelings of danger and subsequent avoidant Behaviors. It's important for parents to:
- reduce accommodation of a child's efforts to avoid anxiety-producing situations
- help the child develop coping skills
- expose and desensitize the child to the anxiety provoking triggers
Below are some books to help you understand what's going on with your child. There are also some tools that you can use to help your child. This list was taken from an article from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Pediatric Anxiety: Tools and Resources for Primary Care
Carolyn Bridgemohan, M.D., FAAP and Carol Weitzman, M.D., FAAP
Tools, Apps, and Activities
Glitter jarsSTAR breathing charts and other coping tools
- https://store.copingskillsforkids.com/products/deep-breathing-printables
- https://consciousdiscipline.s3.amazonaws.com/Free-Resources/Printable-Posters-Tools-Activities/FREE-Printable-Safe_Place_Breathing_Icons.pdf
- http://www.plantlovegrow.com/anxiety--insecurity.html
- https://www.anxietybc.com/parenting/worksheets
- https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/top-meditation-iphone-android-apps
- https://positivepsychologyprogram.com/mindfulness-for-children-kids-activities/
- https://gozen.com/
- http://leftbrainbuddha.com/resources-for-teaching-mindfulness-to-your-children/
- Worried No More: Help and Hope for Anxious Children by Aureen P. Wagner
- Treating Childhood and Adolescent Anxiety: A Guide for Caregivers by Eli Lebowitz and Haim Omer
- What to Do When You Worry Too Much: A Kid's Guide to Overcoming Anxiety by Dawn Huebner
- Freeing Your Child from Anxiety by Tamar E. Chansky, PhD
- CBT Toolbox for Children and Adolescents by Lisa Phifer
- Helping your anxious child: A step by step guide for parents by Ronald Rapee and Ann Wignall
- The Huge Bag of Worries by Virginia Ironside
- When My Worries Get Too Big! A Relaxation Book for Children Who Live With ... by Kari Dunn Buron
- Wilma Jean the Worry Machine by Julia Cook
- Outsmarting Worry: An Older Kids’ Guide to managing Anxiety by Dawn Huebner
- Hey Warrior! By Karen Young
- David and the Worry Beast by Anne Marie Guanci
- Wemberley Worried by Kevin Henkes
- Anxiety Sucks! A Teen Survival Guide by Natasha Daniels
Copyright © 2018 American Academy of Pediatrics