The author of this article grew up with anxiety and was always anxious as a small child. I am writing this article as a parent of a young child diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. Through my own research, I have learned that children do not outgrow their childhood fears of having a nervous breakdown or being stuck in a crowd. How do we freeing your child from anxiety?
About the Author. Childhood should be a carefree, happy time. Yet too often, too many children are over-scared-and exhibiting symptoms of excessive stress. Parents everywhere are wanting to learn: What’s normal? How do you know if anxiety has gone from being a mild worry to a full-fledged anxiety disorder?
Childhood fears, worries, and anxieties can be debilitating. Research shows that when a person becomes anxious or fearful they develop negative thinking patterns which can lead to negative thinking about future fears and anxieties. One of the most common fears associated with anxiety is having a meltdown.
There are three main fears that can cause anxiety in children-fear of death, fear of abandonment, or fear of being ridiculed. The first two are not so much based in reality as they are based in imagination and mental modeling of the world around us. In adulthood, these fears are usually unfounded or blown out of proportion. But for childhood anxiety, these fears are real and need to be freeing from.
A cognitive therapy geared towards anxiety disorder victims, parents, and caregivers can teach parents how to help their children deal with their anxiety disorder. A child needs to take ownership of their fears and concerns so that they can begin to understand what the situation actually means. Cognitive therapy helps parents and families regain control over their thinking patterns and help children deal with fears and concerns. In the end, parents reclaim their childhood happiness and regain control of their lives.
Teaching children how to gain self-confidence and self-respect means freeing them from their own fears and worries. This, in turn, makes it easier for them to experience successful living and healthy relationships. When a person has healthy, confident feelings, they are more likely to reach their goals, have satisfying relationships, and will feel empowered and happy in their daily lives. Thus, freeing your child from anxiety contains easy strategies for getting started.
A very good book on the subject, Your Child’s Anxiety Disorder, written by Dr. Helen Thomas, M.Ed., is available in book stores and online. In this outstanding book, Dr. Thomas shares her expertise on helping parents and children overcome anxiety disorders. The book has received rave reviews and is a great reference that every parent should read.
No parent should feel alone when it comes to their children’s problems. Research by Dr. Michael First is an excellent book that every parent should read. It shares his journey to curing his daughter’s obsessive-compulsive disorder. This book not only discusses methods to help you overcome your own OCD, but also provides an alternative for parents who are afraid to try alternative treatments for their children. Finally, Dr. First’s program teaches you how to effectively communicate with your child in order to eliminate fears and concerns.