Page 35 - Waterfall City August Issue 2023

TOOLS TO HELP

CHILDREN

MANAGE ANXIETY

By Nicoleen Davies, Life Talk Forum
W e all experience anxiety.

Whether it’s experiencing
new places or situations,
meeting new people,
or dealing with unknown outcomes
such as waiting for results, being
unsure or afraid all cause anxiety.

The American Psychological
Association defines anxiety as an
emotion characterised by feelings of
tension, worried thoughts and physical
changes such as increased blood
pressure and heart rate.

An anxiety response is important
as it helps us to recognise danger
and respond appropriately. It also PHOTO BY MONSTERA
motivates action – such as completing
tasks like studying, making new friends
and adapting to new environments Look for the following signs of anxiety elicit an anxiety response. For example,
and people. in your child: experiencing a panic attack while on the
• Difficulty concentrating and focusing soccer field.
The downside for some people is that on tasks
anxiety can become overwhelming, • Avoiding tasks and a drop in school A panic attack is the sudden onset of
especially when it is ongoing. Once marks intense fear coupled with strong bodily
anxiety levels become excessive, it • A lack of confidence and/or the need for responses such as increased heart
can lead to difficulty in functioning. reassurance rate, rapid breathing, a tight chest and
Even basic tasks become impossible to • Fatigue and/or changes in sleeping dizziness. The source of the panic attack
do. That’s where coping mechanisms habits – your child is getting either too could be that the child has to play soccer
become vital. As parents, knowing little or too much sleep but missed a shot the last time they
what to look out for in your children is • Irritability or getting uncharacteristically played, and the team was angry and
crucial. quick to anger ridiculed the child.
• Panic attacks
Signs of anxiety Because of the panic attack, the child
A child’s anxiety can stem from Physical symptoms can manifest as: may now associate soccer with intense
various things: academic and sporting • Headaches anxiety. Every time they walk onto the
performance and the fear of failing • Stomach aches and diarrhoea field, the brain can perceive this as a
at them; peer pressure – feeling • Trembling, restlessness and being jittery threatening situation, which can trigger
acutely the need to fit in; social media • An increased heart rate and dizziness ongoing anxiety and more frequent
pressures; self-esteem issues, especially • A tight chest and/or chest pain panic attacks.
during the adolescent phase with body
changes; bullying or being victimised; With children, anxiety often develops How to relieve anxiety – do’s
and from pressure at home such as as a paired association – meaning that • Identify the triggers – help your child
parents fighting, divorce, alcohol the anxiety symptoms are associated to understand and recognise what
abuse, etc. with something that wouldn’t normally causes them to feel anxious.

Waterfall City Issue 8 2023 33