Friday, May 3, 2024
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AnxietyChildrenParenting

10 Signs your child is dealing with Anxiety

Hannah Comeaux

Children often have trouble verbalizing their emotions, and more often tell us what they are feeling through non-verbal behaviors and certain symptoms. Neither the parent or child may be aware of the presence of anxiety. Here are a few common signs to help you and your child recognize and deal with it.

• Clinging to or not wanting to be separated from parent or
caregiver.

• Constantly worrying or asking a lot of anxious questions.

• Always tired, trouble sleeping or often waking up with
night terrors.

• Over-obsessing about small things.

• Avoiding social events, places or activities.

• Easily angered or frustrated, or constantly apologizing.

• Getting into trouble often or having difficulties at school.

• Struggles with self-image and what others think of them.

• Frequent complaints of feeling sick, such as stomach
pain or headache. Anxiety can often cause physical
symptoms or illnesses.

• Trouble breathing, panic attacks or emotional meltdowns
such as crying for no apparent reason.

Seeing your child struggle is difficult. Take notice of behaviors that are triggered by anxious thoughts instead of immediately jumping into disciplinary mode. Ask questions that will help you identify hidden fears or insecurities. Respond with empathy, a listening ear, reassurance and a hug.

Teach simple coping skills like taking a moment to relax, changing negative feelings to positive ones with happy thoughts or memories, journaling, drawing, deep breathing techniques, or moving to a change of scenery. These can all be helpful but take time to find what works best for your child.

Anxiety is common in our complicated world. There is no shame in asking for professional help. If you don’t know where to start, reach out to a Licensed Therapist or Counselor.

Board certified counselor, Hannah Comeaux is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Marriage and Family Therapist. Here at Comeaux Counseling and Consulting, we want to support you and your child with the tools to deal with anxiety and the stress of life.

Hannah Comeaux

Hannah Comeaux is a native of Louisiana and currently resides in Lafayette, LA. She graduated from the University of Louisiana with a double major in Psychology and Sociology then received her Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. She is a licensed LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) and an LPC-S (Licensed Professional Counselor). She is also a Board-Approved Supervisor of Provisional Licensed Professional Counselors. Comeaux Counseling and Consulting focuses on individuals, couples, children and families working to provide quality care by creating an atmosphere of warmth, acceptance, trust and safety where you are free to examine your thoughts, feelings and actions. Counseling is a process in which we work as a team to explore and identify goals for change established through collaboration with the client(s). We want to help you get the tools to heal from the pain of the past and envision a future full of hope and happiness!