"Panic and Anxiety can be debilitating to your life. It will keep you from doing social events and limit everything you do. I have read an ebook that was very helpful in eliminating and controlling the panic and anxiety. I was afraid to go out and now can enjoy an evening with friends in a relaxed state. The Panic and anxiety book tells you what causes this and the best way to learn to avoid the anxiety attack before it starts." - Bindi Watts
Dealing With Anxiety Disorders In Children
Anxiety disorders can be difficult for adults to deal with, and the problem is that much worse when it affects children. Children are often even less able to deal with the effects than adults and these disorders can affect their development.
Because of the potential for lifelong problems, it is critical that anxiety disorders in children are identified and treated as early as possible. The sooner they are dealt with, the less likely they are to develop into more serious problems down the road.
It’s often difficult to pinpoint anxiety disorders in children because they’re often combined with other problems as well. Anxiety often occurs along with ADHD, depression and obsessive compulsive disorder, making it harder to isolate.
There are a number of methods for treating anxiety problems in children. The best choice will often depend upon the child’s emotional and mental situation.
One treatment method that was traditionally considered ineffective is proper diet and nutrition. Over the past several years, however, this has gained considerable attention and research. Proper exercise and nutrition can have a positive effect on children suffering from anxiety – it will not solve the problem entirely but it can improve it.
Therapy and/or medication is one of the most thoroughly researched approaches. It has proven to be effective in many cases, as it allows the child to get his or her anxiety under control. Once it is controlled, the underlying causes can be addressed more effectively.
If a child is suffering from anxiety problems – or you even suspect they could be – a doctor should be consulted. They can do a thorough diagnosis and prescribe the most effective treatment if an anxiety problem is evident.
Treatments are generally different from those that would be prescribed for adults, so don’t assume that the same things will be effective with children.
Shane Baxter
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/dealing-with-anxiety-disorders-in-children-95268.html
Comments
To parents with children in the Autistic Spectrum, how do you deal with a major anxiety meltdown?
My son is 3 and a half and has lots of fears and anxiety attacks due to the disorder. Lately is over people looking at him and bugs.
He used to respond to tight hugs and reassurance but this seems to be failing now. This is all new to me….I hate seeing him so upset!!
All children on the spectrum are different so there are different ways of coping with them. If you can tell that the child is heading for a full blown meltdown the first thing to do if possible is to remove them from the situation and get them some where safe and quiet. They also tend to like their own space, my own daughter will not let me touch her until she is ready and that could be several hours later. If they are going to have a full meltdown then there is nothing you can do to stop it you just have to ensure they are safe and secure. At the moment I am pretty sure what triggers my daughters fears so I tend to avoid those situations. I am sure as your son grows you will learn when he is heading for a meltdown and what to do without even thinking about it. Do try different things with your son as what works one day will not work the next. I know with my child I can sometimes get it wrong and make the situation worse but then at other times I can do just the right thing. Just make sure your child feels safe and secure and that he can come to you with his fears.
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Hi. I have Aspergers syndrome. People on the Autistic spectrum are all completely different, with varying degrees of severity. However, if i have a panic attack, for example if I’m in a crowd, i usually need my own space straight away so i can calm down. When I’m down in general, having a hobby, collecting things like coins or similar things can help make me less panicked.
I hope that helped a bit. I know I’m not a parent of an Autistic child, but being still a teenager myself, i know what it’s like. I hope you find the answers your looking for. =]
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My daughter used to have those when someone said "no" to her. Didn’t matter what tone of voice was used, just hearing someone say "no sweetie" or "no, you can’t touch that" would send her into a full blown tizzy.
I would start with social stories. Very simple stories that you repeat over and over to him, teaching him self talk to get through things.
"I don’t like when people stare at me. If I scream, they’ll stare more. If I stay quite and hold Mommy’s hand, I’ll be ok."
You can remind others who come into contact with him that he’s going through a phase where he doesn’t like people to look at him.
As far as bugs, is it when he sees a bug? A certain type, or all bugs?
"Bugs scare me. When I see a bug, I can call my Mommy. She’ll keep me safe and make the bug go away."
The idea is to keep it simple, name his feeling, and give an acceptable behavoir/action for his response. For more information on social stories, check out http://www.thegraycenter.org/
I would suggest pretend bugs to practice with, but I know my daughter would be just as afraid of pretend lizards as she is be of real ones. She’s not at all afraid of bugs, but lizards, WATCH OUT!
You might try other distractions as well, like a magnadoodle. I don’t know how many times the magnadoodle and alphabet/shape drawing calmed down a major tantrum. You’d find me sitting in some back aisle of Walmart with my screaming girl, drawing shapes and naming them till she calmed.
As she got older, another trick that worked was getting right now face to face, very close…."Take a deep breath…breath with me" and get her to slow down and match my breathing, focusing on only each other.
One thing about autism, it will really test your ability to be creative on the fly, to be a detective, behaviorist, occupational therapist…You learn to become very tuned in to your child.
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I have a beautiful 10 yr old daughter who has autism.
Have you spoken to his pediatrician, about his increasing anxiety?
He/she maybe able to suggest some support groups locally, as well as behavioural therapist who maybe able to offer some tips on how to calm him. Only use medication as a last resort.
Also is he involved in a early intervention program, which really do assist with many aspects of their lives, teaching the child communication skills, social skills etc. I have certainly noticed a big difference in children who have been to early intervention to those who had not.
Don’tWorryBeHappy has given some sound advice which most certainly does work, and I would follow.
A few other things to keep in mind is;
The night before let him pick out what he wants to wear for the next day and tell him what "we are going to do" and make sure he has a favourite toy to go with him.
In the morning tell him what is happening for the day, e.g today we are going to go to the shops etc.
You could also try packing a little back pack with his favourite toy & book, and a container of cut fruit or what ever his favourite food is.
Learn the signs of building stress such as pulling on your hand, refusing to walk any further, plopping on the floor, hair twirling etc, as these are vital in preventing a full on hissey fit.
If you notice signs of building stress, let him cuddle/pet his favourite toy, and as Don’tWorry said talk calmly and quietly to him
Try to remove him what ever is causing his anxiety.
Unfortunately children with autism do suffer from sensory overload, from sounds, smells and even touch, so shopping etc can be rather difficult.
I have a daughter with ADHD, ODD both which is on the autism spectrum.
References :
Youth & Disability support worker
http://www.thiswayoflife.org/help.html
http://www.child-autism-parent-cafe.com/stress-on-families.html
http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/178_09_050503/cou10054_fm-1.html
http://www.autism-essentials.com/?gclid=COzllPbM6ZcCFRlRagodkEOCDA
All you have to do is place him in a school for special needs children (even those like him), but NOT a normal / public school which has mainstream classes and special ed programs. He also needs good therapy and coping skills. If he’s fixated on a specific routine, he must have as little change in his routine as possible, step by step.
If you have anything to say about this, please feel free to email me. My user allows email. Your son will change a bit. Trust me! You’ll do fine and so will he.
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