Questions & Answers

Stress:
“How can I help my son overcome his anxiety?”

Dear Annie,

My 6 1/2 year old son suffers from anxiety. He worries about whether or not I will pick him up from school or fears that he won't see me amongst all the other parents. The teacher has commented that he takes several bathroom breaks during his most difficult subject. During a recent thunder storm, he was the only one in the class to get scared, cry and say "he misses his mom." He had night terrors when he was a bit younger, but seems to have grown out of these. He is popular at school, but struggles with the reading and writing demands of 1st grade (not math). Once he thinks of something he is afraid of, he goes down a spiral that he can't get out of. He says "I don't want to think about this, but I can't stop." How can I help him?

Anxious Mom

Dear Anxious Mom,

My heart goes out to your son. It's certainly not fun to be living with anxiety. And my heart goes out to you as well. Clearly you love him and you want him to be happier and less fearful.

Have you talked yet to your son's pediatrician about all of this? Has your son been evaluated by a child psychologist? That definitely seems like an appropriate step and the best way that you can help him is by getting some professional input.

Will you do that?

In friendship,

Annie