1st grader's anxiety
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Anonymous
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I'm a regular in this forum due to having an ASD child. But this query pertains to my NT 1st grade daughter.
My DD has been consumed with anxiety thus week -- specifically worrying about snakes. One of her classrooms has a pet snake, which I didn't hear her complain about the past few months, but thus week has her in a state of anxious terror. Her fears are irrational, like worrying that a snake will come into her bedroom. Last month she was worried about burglars. Recently she was also worried about a loud storm. She's also sometimes worried about whether her teachers will rebuke her. (They never have: she's their star student.) oh, and previously she worried a bit about monsters. While these types of anxieties seem age-appropriate for a 6.5 year-old girl, I'd nevertheless welcome advice. She can't sleep at this moment for fear of snakes... |
Anonymous
| P.s.: plz excuse grammar errors, courtesy of autocorrect... |
Anonymous
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You should get this book for her. My 1st grader loved it and it helped tremendously.
http://www.amazon.com/What-When-You-Worry-Much/dp/1591473144 |
Anonymous
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Here is a good article: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/17/helping-children-gain-control-over-an-anxiety-disorder/?_r=0
For my DD, it helps to personify her anxiety - treat it like a person that tries to take over her thoughts and needs to be put back in her place. She will sometimes draw a picture of her anxiety (this person she has made it into) and will scribble over it or tear it up to remind herself that she is in control and even though anxiety is always there, she has the power to control it herself. |
Anonymous
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You can't explain away her fears with lectures about how the classroom snake couldn't possibly get to her bedroom. Don't waste time getting her to agree that they are irrational ("There's no such thing as monsters, right!") and thinking that will settle her down. This just compounds her anxiety because it ramps up her bad feelings by compounding her isolation. Anxiety and fears are irrational by their very nature.
Help her feel more powerful and let her know she is safe and protected, always, in your home. Nothing can harm her here. You will always protect her. |
Anonymous
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OP here, thanking everyone for these suggestions!
I'm about to order the Amazon book. |