10 Ways to Help Your Anxious Child

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues in the United Kingdom. It is estimated that around 18 percent of adults suffer from some form of anxiety disorder. Anxiety can be crippling for those who experience it, and it can also be very difficult to deal with as a parent.

To a child – tween or teen – there is a lot to worry about in the world. They are just coming in to their own skin, moving away from their identity as ‘your child’ and fleshing out who they are as an individual. They are wired, at this time in their development, to be seeking out ‘their tribe’, which means they look to their peer group for that sense of belonging we all crave. But this move can feel very scary for our tweens and teens.

 

Friendship groups and identity can be precarious things for the tween and teen. During the years of 11 – 16 kids are morphing within themselves, testing and finding out what fits for them, who they want to be and who they are. Alongside them, their friends are doing the same and this can feel daunting and insecure.

 

Alongside this, the tween teen is moving on in to a more challenging, demanding and pressured time in their education, which can feel overwhelming and stressful as they try to manage it. Often, young people get lost in all the worries and pressures of all the unanswered questions in their life: the ‘what ifs’, the ‘why’s’, the ‘who am I’d’, which can stop them from being able to find the clear perspectives they need to process the world around them comfortably.

 

If you are concerned that your child may be struggling with anxiety, here are 10 ways you can help!

 

1. Talk about anxiety

 

The first step is to talk about anxiety. Let your child know that it is normal to feel anxious sometimes, and that it is nothing to be ashamed of. This can help to reduce the stigma around mental health issues and make it easier for your child to talk about their own experiences with anxiety.

 

2. Normalise anxiety

 

It is important to normalise anxiety for your child. This means helping them to understand that everyone experiences anxiety in different ways, and that it is something that many people deal with on a daily basis. This can help to reduce the feelings of isolation and loneliness that often accompany anxiety.

 

3. Help them to understand their anxiety

 

An important part of helping your child with their anxiety is to help them to understand it. This means teaching them about the different types of anxiety, the symptoms, and the triggers. This can be a difficult task, but as a parent you can support this asking them to lead you through their worries as you listen and offer understanding, without trying to ‘fix.’

 

4. Teach them healthy coping mechanisms.

 

There are many healthy coping mechanisms that can help your child to deal with their anxiety. These include things like deep breathing, exercise, and journaling. It is important to teach your child these coping mechanisms so that they have tools to deal with their anxiety when it arises.

 

5. Encourage them to seek professional help

 

If your child is struggling to cope with their anxiety, it is important to encourage them to seek professional help. This can be in the form of therapy or medication, depending on the severity of the anxiety. As a parent, you can support your child in this by helping them to find a therapist or doctor that they feel comfortable with.

 

6. Be there for them

 

One of the most important things you can do as a parent is to be there for your child. This means being available to listen to their worries and concerns, without judgement. It is also important to offer support and encouragement, letting them know that you are always there for them.

 

7. Avoid putting pressure on them

 

It is important to avoid putting pressure on your child when it comes to their anxiety. This means avoiding things like telling them to ‘just relax’ or ‘calm down’. It is also important to avoid making comparisons between your child and other children, as this can further the feelings of anxiety and inadequacy.

 

8. Help them to find a support network

 

Another important thing you can do is to help your child to find a support network. This can be in the form of friends, family, or a support group for children with anxiety. This can provide your child with a safe space to talk about their anxiety, and to feel supported by others who understand what they are going through.

 

9. Seek professional help for yourself

 

If you are struggling to cope with your child’s anxiety, it is important to seek professional help for yourself. This can be in the form of therapy or counselling, which can help you to understand your child’s anxiety and how to best support them.

 

10. Seek professional help for your family

 

If you feel that your child’s anxiety is having a negative impact on your family, it is important to seek professional help. This can be in the form of family therapy, which can help to address any underlying issues that may be contributing to your child’s anxiety.

 

If you are concerned that your child may be struggling with anxiety, it is important to seek professional help. This can be in the form of therapy, medication, or a combination of both. As a parent, you can support your child in this by offering understanding and encouragement.

 

If you want to reach out, please email me katie@thehappywellbeingclub.co.uk for support and guidance.