OT--helping kids deal with being anxious

[disneymom3]

I am looking for some coping strategies for my 7yo DS. Whenever we are going to go out and do something new--or even semi-new--he claims he feels sick and is going to throw up. Note, he has NEVER thrown up in any new situation. I assume what he is feeling is that butterflies in the tummy feeling. We homeschool, but go to two different weekly events--gymnastics lessons and our weekly co-op. He is saying every week starting about half an hour before we have to go that he doesn't feel good. He loves both of these activities, so that is not it. He did this for a portion of last year too. I need to figure out something that he can do to handle this better. He gets pretty hysterical and loud about it.

We are considering taking a cruise in Jan and would love to do a submarine voyage. We are worried that getting into the sub will make him nervous but I really know he would love it once he started. However, if we are getting on adn he is screaming that he is going to throw up, people are going to hate us!

Not only for that, but just for everyday life, I am wondering if someone out there can give me some ideas.

 

[joyah]

Breathing, Breathing and more breathing. Start it now with him.
After a full year of a 3rd grader and EXTREAME anxiety issues. We finally to him to cognitive behavior therapy it took 9 months and medication but he's doing so much better. We just changed his medication and are going back through a few of the "puddles" (when he'd just loose it). Talk with your drs about this, does either parent have an issue it is usually heriditary (grandparents count too) also be aware that it often co-exhists with ADHD.
Pleas feel free to pm (hopefully I remember how the sytem works I just reregistered after 5 years of being gone.)

 

[mommytobug]

I suffered from anxiety as a child, I know now that is what it was. I would actually sleep in order to make my mind shut off. My dd has some anxiety issues (not inherited-she is adopted) and she has done a lot better lately. I am also a masters level therapist.

So, has anything happened lately.......has someone passed away, has he gotten lost from you, has there been someone new in his life, is there any possibility he has been abused............try to think about any of this,

I do think the "breathing" helps.........also walking or running...........my daughter will actually go out and run when she feels "wound up" as she called it.

There are so many coping skills he can learn and please do not be afraid of meds if he needs them for possibly a short term basis. Find a therapist who deals with children and has EXPERIENCE with children. A visit for an initial consult cant hurt and will probably help.

Anxiety is no fun and it is something that cant just be turned off with no help. He really cant help what he is feeling. I am amazed and proud he is verbalizing it to you. A lot of kids dont and wont!

 

[laughinplace199]

This book might help:

Helping Your Anxious Child: A Step-By-Step Guide for Parents (Paperback)
by Sue Spence (Author), Vanessa Cobham (Author), Ann Wignall (Author), Ronald M. Rapee (Editor

My ped recommended it to us when our DD was having some anxiety issues. I found it very helpful.

 

[disneymom3]

Thank you. We do have anxiety that runs in the family. His older sister takes anti-anxiety meds but I think he is not at that point. For the time being his is situational whereas hers rules her life. I would not be surprised if he does need them someday as my kids are fourth generation on DHs side of the family with these issues. No new stuff has changed and I feel confident that he has not been hurt by anyone. I am actually an early childhood consultant with a degree in child psych and many years of working with kids. I am pretty sure I would recognize if something was wrong. And as I said, it is only certain situations.

I will check out that book. I appreciate all the encouragement and good wishes! Thanks again to all of you for taking the time to share your own stories with me.

 

[karliebug]

It is important that you describe to him in advance anything that you think he may be anxious about,I think. So that there are "no surprises". I have a friend who actually did have her child put on anti anxiety meds at age 10 because he was really fearful about so many things.