Anxiety and worry are a normal part of childhood. Being afraid of the unknown or in response to a scary situation is how we weren’t eaten by dinosaurs! However, when your child’s fears are starting to interfere with their schoolwork, friendships or family life, you may decide to seek professional help.
In children anxiety and worry can present as feeling sick when worried, wanting everything to be perfect, seeking constant reassurance, avoid new situations or situations they are worried about, be reluctant to try new things or have lots of fears.
As a parent or caregiver, you can help an anxious child with some practical strategies. Teaching and encouraging positive self-talk such as “I can give this a go” rather than “I can’t do this”, helping them break goals into smaller, more manageable steps and help them learn relaxation skills.
Margaret McDonald can teach you and your child the skills to make day to day life easier and less anxious. To book an appointment or make enquiries phone 07 3862 8833
