When a child is anxious, it's natural for parents to want to make that anxiety go away. We reassure them, help them avoid situations that feel overwhelming, or try to solve the problem that's causing distress. These responses come from a place of love. After all, no parent wants to watch their child suffer.The challenge is that anxiety doesn't usually...[ read more ]
Watching a teenager struggle with anxiety can be incredibly difficult. Parents often find themselves searching for the right thing to say, the right solution to offer, or the right way to make the anxiety go away. When a teen is overwhelmed by worries about school, friendships, sports, health, or the future, the natural instinct is to help them feel better...[ read more ]
For many families, the start of a new school year brings a mix of excitement and nerves. For children who have struggled with anxiety, however, returning to school can feel overwhelming. Whether a child experienced school refusal, missed significant time due to anxiety, struggled socially, or simply became accustomed to avoiding situations that felt uncomfortable, school re-entry can quickly become...[ read more ]
Many children struggle with separation from their parents at some point. Whether it's going to school, attending activities independently, spending time with relatives, or sleeping in their own room, separation can bring up significant anxiety. When a child becomes distressed, it is natural for parents to want to make that discomfort go away as quickly as possible. The challenge is...[ read more ]
When most people think about anxiety, they imagine someone who appears nervous, worried, or fearful. While those symptoms are certainly common, anxiety does not always look the way people expect. In teenagers, anxiety often shows up as irritability, frustration, or anger rather than obvious fear. This can be confusing for parents. A teen who seems constantly annoyed, argumentative, or short-tempered...[ read more ]
Many parents are surprised to learn that anxiety in children does not always look like worry. While some children openly talk about their fears or concerns, others experience anxiety primarily through physical symptoms. In fact, many children who struggle with anxiety first come to the attention of parents, teachers, or medical providers because of recurring physical complaints rather than obvious...[ read more ]
When many people think about separation anxiety, they picture a young child crying at school drop-off or struggling to spend time away from a parent. While separation anxiety is often associated with younger children, it can continue well into adolescence. In some cases, it may even become more noticeable during the teenage years as expectations for independence increase. For parents,...[ read more ]
When a child refuses to go to school, it is easy to focus on the most visible problem: attendance. Parents often find themselves worrying about missed assignments, falling grades, and how much school their child is missing. While these concerns are understandable, school refusal is rarely just about getting a child through the school doors. In most cases, school refusal...[ read more ]
When a child is struggling with anxiety, most parents naturally want to help them feel better. They answer questions, provide reassurance, offer reminders, and do whatever they can to reduce their child's distress. While these responses come from a place of love, they can sometimes unintentionally strengthen the cycle of childhood anxiety.This can be confusing for parents. If reassurance helps...[ read more ]
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely researched and effective treatments for anxiety disorders. While many people have heard of CBT, they are often surprised to learn that it is much more than simply "thinking positive." In reality, CBT helps people understand the relationship between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors while teaching practical skills that can reduce...[ read more ]
