TIPS FOR MANAGING ANXIETY IN
CHILDREN & ADOLESCENTS
When thinking about managing anxiety in children, it may also be useful to
consider the causes of anxiety, and whether the child needs counselling with a
Mental Health Professional. Some reasons children may be suffering anxiety can
include:
Does one of the parents have an
Physiological – is the child on the Autism
addictive behaviour/mental illness/other
stressors causing unpredictability in the
home? (a parent with depression for
example, may be unable to be
emotionally available for the child)
Are the parents separated or is the child
concerned about the parents separating?
Other stressors causing anxiety?
Spectrum and may have low melatonin, or
is there any other physiological reason the
child is anxious?
Does the child have emotional stress
– being bullied at school or at home?
Is there conflict in the home?
Is the child over scheduled – not enough
“down” time?
SOME IDEAS TO HELP CHILDREN WITH ANXIETY. . .
What triggers your child’s anxiety?
Are their concerns real or imagined, and how
much do they interfere with your child’s
ability to get on with their day?
Do they need to be learning strategies to help
with their anxiety from a professional or are
they mild and you, the parent, can teach
them some progressive muscle relaxation or
other easy methods (Deep breathing for
example).
Do you, the parent, need to look at your
expectations of your child? Are they realistic,
age appropriate and in the best interests of
the child?
If your child is sensitive, do you offer regular
praise for who the child is, rather than
focussing on what they are doing wrong?
Structure regular exercise into your child’s
day. Exercise has been proven to reduce
anxiety/stress, build self confidence and
promote a healthy lifestyle.
Try and make their world a little more
predictable, with routine as much as possible
or explain to the child when things are being
done differently.
Anticipate stress during transition times and
allow for that. For example, is the child
dividing time between two parents’ homes or
being away from their parents for extended
periods of time? At these times the child
might just need about 20 – 30 minutes to
reconnect with the parent before the business
of the evening/day takes over the household.
Are you, the parent, anxious/stressed
yourself? If you are not relaxed, your child
may be very sensitive to your moods, feel
your unease and be responding to your own
distress.
Peter J Watt Counselling Psychologist
www.mindfulnessinpractice.com.au
Lyn Benson Counselling Psychologist,
Family Therapist & Parent Educator
www.lynbenson.com.au
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. . .
Peter Watt practices out of SOS<18 at 30-32 Hely Street Wyong.
Peter’s services are for teenagers, young adults & parents or carers.
See your GP for a Mental Health Plan. Peter is available for an appointment
through reception at SOS<18 Ph: 02 4351 1900.
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