Parental Support For Anxiety In Kids: 3 Psychological Approach

Occasional anger, worry, sadness, and anxiousness are a part of every human being. Kids tend to experience some anxiety periodically. Situational anxiety isn’t a major problem, but when this anxiety starts interfering with their daily activities, school, or relationship, it’s a matter of concern. In such situations, it is important to take help from a psychologist for an appropriate diagnosis to know if it’s anxiety or any other psychological issues.

When suffering from anxiety related issues, the psychologist may suggest cognitive behavioural or play therapy along with parental support.

Supportive psychotherapy is one of the best approaches to support kids that suffer from frequent anxiety. Showing warmth, support, and love to them help them develop a feeling of acceptance for the way they are as well as maintain, restore or improve their self esteem.
Forcing your kid to overcome their fears, change their ways to overcome the problems and worries may worsen the condition. It may even lead to increased anxiety and delay in their recovery.

Positive psychology is another way to deal with kids’ anxiety, where parents and caretakers understand the basic psychological need of their kids.

“If positive psychology teaches us anything, it is that all of us are a mixture of strengths and weaknesses. No one has it all, and no one lacks it all.”

The three psychological needs that are common to children, as well as adults, are:

• A feeling of being capable or good enough

• A feeling of being loved and wanted

• A feeling of having the freedom to make their own choices

Supporting these psychological needs in your kids in the right way can help them get better and deal with the condition. Amongst all the three the feeling of “belongingness” is the most important. Feeling wanted and to be loved, work excellent on one’s psychological health.

Choice theory is another strong tool that focuses on a child’s needs. Children who suffer from anxiety generally have 2 or more unsatisfied needs. Understanding their needs from their perspective and supporting them in the right way can help them through the struggle.

It’s always a good idea to take help from a psychologist in the early stage of any psychological issue. Do not wait till the time the problem gets bigger and is difficult to solve. It may even lead to unexpected situations.

“For there is always a light, if only we are brave enough to see it, if only we are brave enough to see it.”

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