By: Kelsey Wooten, LPC
Summer seemed to fly by, and school’s back in session. Getting adjusted to the routine of early mornings, socializing with other students, extracurricular activities, long days, and homework can be a lot – both for students and caretakers. The stress of a new routine usually lasts a few weeks, and then we find our rhythm.
However, some people have more trouble adjusting to change than others, which can cause anxiety. For our younger kiddos, they may not have the language to express their anxiety, but it’s showing.
A child with anxiety might say things like:
My stomach or head hurts
Complaints of feeling nauseous in the morning
Refusing to go to school
Fear of sleeping or being alone
Nightmares / trouble sleeping
Avoiding social situations
Sweating
Shaking
If this is happening, make sure that there are no physical reasons for feeling unwell and get a checkup at the doctor. If you get a clear bill of health, check in with your child’s teacher. See how things are going and if they have any suggestions. Believe your child when they come to you with complaints. Listen FIRST, ask questions, and explore possible solutions together.
Our older students may also experience physical symptoms of anxiety. In addition, they may voice that their mind is racing, looping, or that they can’t turn it off. The pressure of getting good grades, taking honors classes, sports/clubs, social life, and college prep can add to their already heavy load. Helping our students learn coping skills can assist them in managing their anxiety. When discussing coping skills, remember that the goal isn’t to make the hard feelings disappear, but to make them feel less overwhelming and to come back to the present moment. Naming and allowing space for our feelings is an important part of emotional intelligence.
Coping skills can include:
Asking when was the last time I had some water and a snack?
Using a small fidget toy
Deep breathing (can make this fun for the littles)
Going for a walk
Coloring / doodling
Talking with friends
Listening to music
Dancing or singing
Games
Spending time with a pet
Spending quality time with someone you love
Reading
Trying to focus on what you can control
Kids and teens can also show signs they are struggling with their mental health, even if they aren’t verbalizing it. Remember that an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure – don’t wait until there is a crisis gets help.
Here are some red flags to watch for:
Isolation
Changes in eating habits
Too much or too little sleep
Sudden changes in social life
Sudden changes in demeanor
Substance use
Self-harm
Suicidal thoughts
Sonder Counseling offers play therapy for young kids, individual sessions for tweens, teens, adults, family and couples. If your kid is struggling, you may also need support to process and learn more. There’s no shame in that! Call or send us an email today!