Page 43 - Silver Lakes August Issue 2023

TODAY’S CHILD

TOOLS TO HELP CHILDREN MANAGE ANXIETY

By Nicoleen Davies, Life Talk Forum

e all experience anxiety. The downside for some people is that such as parents fighting, divorce, alcohol
Whether it’s experiencing new anxiety can become overwhelming, abuse, etc.
Wplaces or situations, meeting especially when it is ongoing. Once anxiety
new people, or dealing with unknown levels become excessive, it can lead to Look for the following signs of anxiety in
outcomes such as waiting for results, being difficulty in functioning. Even basic tasks your child:
unsure or afraid all cause anxiety. become impossible to do. That’s where • Difficulty concentrating and focusing on
coping mechanisms become vital. As tasks
The American Psychological Association parents, knowing what to look out for in • Avoiding tasks and a drop in school
defines anxiety as an emotion characterised your children is crucial. marks
by feelings of tension, worried thoughts • A lack of confidence and/or the need for
and physical changes such as increased Signs of anxiety reassurance
blood pressure and heart rate. A child’s anxiety can stem from various • Fatigue and/or changes in sleeping habits
things: academic and sporting performance – your child is getting either too little or
An anxiety response is important as it and the fear of failing at them; peer too much sleep
helps us to recognise danger and respond pressure – feeling acutely the need to fit in; • Irritability or getting uncharacteristically
appropriately. It also motivates action – social media pressures; self-esteem issues, quick to anger
such as completing tasks like studying, especially during the adolescent phase • Panic attacks
making new friends and adapting to new with bodily changes; bullying or being
environments and people. victimised; and from pressure at home Physical symptoms can manifest as:
• Headaches
• Stomach aches and diarrhoea
• Trembling, restlessness and being jittery
• An increased heart rate and dizziness
• A tight chest and/or chest pain

With children, anxiety often develops
as a paired association – meaning that
the anxiety symptoms are associated
with something that wouldn’t normally
elicit an anxiety response. For example,
experiencing a panic attack while on the
soccer field.

A panic attack is the sudden onset of
intense fear coupled with strong bodily
responses such as increased heart rate,
rapid breathing, a tight chest and dizziness.
The source of the panic attack could be
that the child has to play soccer but missed
a shot the last time they played, and the
team was angry and ridiculed the child.

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