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ADVICE RATING

4.56 (Highly recommend) from 26 votes (1081 Visits)

Children do suffer from anxiety and their feelings need to be respected

Anonymous Author (December 2006)

My son has a big problem with Anxiety......

he may only be 5 but he already knows what his body can and cant deal with..... For a long time i thought he was too young to have an ~anxiety disorder~ and so i forced him into

situations he didn't like....

the ball place.....
busy shopping centres....
performing at school.... etc

When he then struggled and got upset and had tantrums and acted out i would berate him and get angry.... like he could control his feelings....

I felt like the worst mother in the world though when i finally realised that my baby suffers from anxiety...and has since he was very young

He doesn't like crowds...
he doesn't like the music and lights in the shop as he gets sensory overload...
he doesn't like to be the centre of attention......

Alot of the time I felt that Anxiety or Depression or the like are adult only disorders and that kids can deal with everything......I have had to re-examine my lifestyle to try and make my son feel more comfortable in the world he finds himself in.....i now make allowances for the fact that he is entitled to feel the way he feels and that he has his own emotions and fears......

Now as i watch my 2 yr old developing her own little personality i am more aware that children are little people too......

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ADVICE RATING

4.56 (Highly recommend) from 26 votes

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	April 2007 \| jenlemen

good points

sometimes it's as much an issue of temperament as anything else. my son is really introverted--so he appears anxious in certain situations, just like a normal adult would when he is out of his comfort zone. i'm learning how to help my son cope/adjust while at the same time honoring his natural preferences for social interaction.

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	2.91 (Average) \| January 2007 \| mcm

As a child

As a child I was shy and very anxious, also pushed into stuations. Children ARE people too. I like my kids to be respected. My boy is quite anxious - reminds me of me though not so shy.
Thansk for the article - I can relate.

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	3.62 (Good) \| January 2007 \| llmunchkin

Thanks for sharing...

You are right - they are little people, and we do need to accept that they may not be the same as us, and that they have their own likes and dislikes, and personalities.

Thanks for the article, I will keep it in mind as the Jellybabee grows

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| January 2007 \| OzBinky

Anxiety in young children

This is something that I had gone through at a young age as well, however I was a teenager. My youngest son did suffer post traumatic stress after a bad accident where he was badly hurt. You couldn't tell who he was as the injuries were so bad. He would have terrible nightmares, reliving what he went through. It is 'real' in young children just as it is in older ones and adult and something that needs to be addressed.

You have done this and that is something to hold your head up high about. You are taking the steps to help him and to regain his own self image and image of his surroundings. That is what is classed as being a great mum, you are this......well done matey!

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	3.91 (Good) \| January 2007 \| meggles

My son has an anxiety disorder

My son was diangosed with Post traumatic stress disorder late 04, this became an anxiety disorder. It has taken 18mths to get him into a cinema happily etc. But sometimes its beyond him. What I found is I avoided busy places so he would be ok but in the end it made it harder, This year I perservered .. I did not force him but tried to let him see it as an adventure. The first 2 times we walke into the shopping centre he burst into tears (loads of people as its christmas) the last time he was agitated but ok. Now he seems mostly fine. I do not force the issue but encourage him. Eg; he hated cafes and I stopped going due to peoples mean comments. But we found this cafe where a nce lady took my son aside and was nice. We now go their weekly, She is a lovely person and its a real good incentive for my son to go to the shopping centre at christmas when its hugely busy as the cafe is there. Its hard work being a parent at the best f times but in these situations you always second guess your course of action. We are however getting there and its working for us.

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| December 2006 \| lexiw

Counsellors

There is help if you can get the right child counsellor my eldest had major anxiety issues but with counselling and meditation she is now living a normal life.

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| December 2006 \| Tadexpress

Added thought

I was thinking he's unlikely to be in a pram at 5 but someone else could use that bit of advice but your son could still take his favourite toy. He is also mostly likely attending pre-school or school let his teachers know about the anxiety and ask them to encourage to build his confidence but not insist which could stress him out completely....short news items but if he isnt comfortable maybe he culd whisper to the teacher and she relays the message.

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	4.00 (Good) \| December 2006 \| Tadexpress

Anxiety

I applaud you on accepting that children experience anxiety and have taken steps to protect him, you can help by introducing him to things slowly, for example playgroup, pop in meet mums and go, let him see kids having fun and if he is playing stay, if he then becomes agitated leave before he becomes distressed. Family gatherings BBQ's etc are great for getting him used to crowds because he will learnt to associate with bigger numbers of people that he can feel safe with.... if you have to go to the mall, short quick trips and hold his hand or if he is in a pram his favourite toy. Plan for what you need grab it and go, then build up the time slowly, sit and have a coffee while he has an icecream that sort of thing. read him stories where lots of people are having fun. At 5 he can have a contingency plan if he loses mummy, ring nana? or dad? someone who can talk to him on the phone and keep him calm, Im thinking that would be the biggest fear at the mall, but make sure that your movements are confd=ident but not so fast that he may miss you turning.

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| December 2006 \| vic1112

anxiety

I know what its like as my 3 year old grandchild as it.

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	3.15 (Average) \| December 2006 \| ShellyT

anxiety

i had anxiety as a child, and still got it now a little. afraid of alot of people, big crowds, meeting new ppl etc. and im 32

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