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My 7 year old son seems to be struggling with anxiety and panic...any
suggestions that can help the little guy? He is smart and a bit of a
thinker, which I think is leading him to over-think. He is not one for
relaxing and winding down which isn't helping him. I have put him in
touch with the school psychologist and of course we love him to pieces
and support him, but he seems to lack confidence and has a low self
esteem. I have gotten him into Karate, which he loves and is very good
at, and he enjoys playing baseball in the spring. Are there any books,
movies, or websites that would provide me with some tried and true
coping skills for a young child?
ANSWER-- provided by Allan Gonsher, LIMHP, LSCSW, RPT-S
Very complicated answers to several issues, let me try to take it apart piece by
piece. It's more difficult than I think one realizes.
First, issues of anxiety and panic are serious. Maybe they are separate from the
other issues, but I would want to know what is causing these
emotions...(something at school, family dynamics, genetics, etc) This cannot be
answered in a few words. To simply give him "techniques" to deal with his
anxiety/panic, without knowing the source might be futile, and at best, short
lived. More to explore. Slowing him down is a major task. If his mind is rushing,
maybe his "body" can't relax. If his body is in constant motion, slowing his "mind"
down could be a huge challenge. Again, further investigation is important. If
nothing else, relaxation tapes, breathing exercises, or monitoring of foods are
good beginning steps to "slow" him down.
Issues of self esteem are also complicated. I am not of the belief that children
have "low self esteem." Instead, I believe children have "parts" of their self
esteem that are not working as well as others. ALL of our kids have strengths
and weaknesses. Just because a part is not "working" and a kid feels bad about
himself, it doesn't necessarily imply that he is "down" on himself. It might just
mean, for example, he doesn't like school and feels stupid in school. You put
him on a soccer field and he is the best. You enroll him in gymnastics and he
"flies." We need to continually find those parts of his self-esteem that help him
feel good and encourage him to be involved with those activities. The converse
is also true. We need to find his "struggles" and help him get a better grasp of
them and minimize these frustrations. There is no doubt that kids who feel
defeated have their sense of self deflated. We, as parents, need to continue to
give hugs, give words of praise, and have fun with them. After all, the true sense
of feeling good is about good relationships and feeling a sense of
independence and support at the same time. Good Luck.
suggestions that can help the little guy? He is smart and a bit of a
thinker, which I think is leading him to over-think. He is not one for
relaxing and winding down which isn't helping him. I have put him in
touch with the school psychologist and of course we love him to pieces
and support him, but he seems to lack confidence and has a low self
esteem. I have gotten him into Karate, which he loves and is very good
at, and he enjoys playing baseball in the spring. Are there any books,
movies, or websites that would provide me with some tried and true
coping skills for a young child?
ANSWER-- provided by Allan Gonsher, LIMHP, LSCSW, RPT-S
Very complicated answers to several issues, let me try to take it apart piece by
piece. It's more difficult than I think one realizes.
First, issues of anxiety and panic are serious. Maybe they are separate from the
other issues, but I would want to know what is causing these
emotions...(something at school, family dynamics, genetics, etc) This cannot be
answered in a few words. To simply give him "techniques" to deal with his
anxiety/panic, without knowing the source might be futile, and at best, short
lived. More to explore. Slowing him down is a major task. If his mind is rushing,
maybe his "body" can't relax. If his body is in constant motion, slowing his "mind"
down could be a huge challenge. Again, further investigation is important. If
nothing else, relaxation tapes, breathing exercises, or monitoring of foods are
good beginning steps to "slow" him down.
Issues of self esteem are also complicated. I am not of the belief that children
have "low self esteem." Instead, I believe children have "parts" of their self
esteem that are not working as well as others. ALL of our kids have strengths
and weaknesses. Just because a part is not "working" and a kid feels bad about
himself, it doesn't necessarily imply that he is "down" on himself. It might just
mean, for example, he doesn't like school and feels stupid in school. You put
him on a soccer field and he is the best. You enroll him in gymnastics and he
"flies." We need to continually find those parts of his self-esteem that help him
feel good and encourage him to be involved with those activities. The converse
is also true. We need to find his "struggles" and help him get a better grasp of
them and minimize these frustrations. There is no doubt that kids who feel
defeated have their sense of self deflated. We, as parents, need to continue to
give hugs, give words of praise, and have fun with them. After all, the true sense
of feeling good is about good relationships and feeling a sense of
independence and support at the same time. Good Luck.
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Parenting Questions & Answers - Anxiety
