HEALTH. We are not talking about anxiety disorders in children, but rather traits linked to anxiety during an invasive situation. From then on, the role of the parent is articulated as a companion for their child, in order to help them cope with the situation taking on disproportionate magnitude in their thoughts.
“You have to be careful about anxiety, because it is an often overused term. Just because a child experiences fears or stress does not mean they suffer from anxiety. We talk about anxiety when the child is experiencing an overwhelming problem,” explains Marie-Pierre Vallée, human relations officer at the Integrated Health and Social Services Center (CISSS) of Chaudière-Appalaches.
A stressful situation can become anxiety-provoking for the child when it takes over. This may present as difficulty sleeping or a stomach ache. These are physical symptoms that can be associated with anxiety.
A diagnosis and solutions
There has been a lot of talk about mental health in recent years, both among children and adults. “We are in a society where we must make diagnoses and find solutions. Parents are more alert and attentive when their child experiences something. They want to understand him in order to offer him the best services and find the cause of their child’s behavior,” underlines Ms. Vallée.
A death, the illness of a loved one and a divorce can make a child anxious, as can the search for performance. “We are in a performance society. Parents are more demanding of their children. They want their child to perform well at school, to develop a passion, to excel in a sport, from a very young age. Parents, out of love and kindness, want their child to become a better version of themselves. This pressure to perform is very present in children and causes anxiety,” adds the speaker.
To help their child, the parent must become aware of their own anxiety and insecurities that are transmitted unintentionally. We cannot expect a young child to be able to name their emotions and needs, to manage their conflicts, to be reasonable and responsible. The caregiver promotes realistic expectations, based on the child’s age and cognitive development.
“Parents can support their child, allow them to experience inconveniences and discomfort, to experience negative emotions and difficult situations without trying to shield them. As a caregiver, we help the child to understand that he must confront his thoughts and his internal anxiety-provoking speech, confront stressful situations and become aware of his physical (psychosomatic) ailments to reduce his anxiety. »
