Grad Dip Psych & Counselling, M Mus, BME.
Parents are often confused about when to act if they have concerns about their child/adolescent. Frequently asked questions include:
My child doesn't seem to be their normal, happy self, should I do something or wait for it to pass?
If you have concerns about your child, then it is wise to seek help
How long should I wait before taking action?
There is no absolute time. The knowledge of your own child and your increasing concern about their welfare is really the clue. As a general guide, two weeks is often quoted.
My child seems to be developing into a real ‘worrier', should I do something about this?
Yes, is the short answer. If your child's physical health was affected you would seek help in dealing with the symptoms, it is the same with mental health, early intervention is always recommended. Once a condition takes hold e.g. Anxiety, it increases the possibility that another condition can also take hold e.g. Depression, so instead of one condition you are suddenly dealing with two.
What is Anxiety?
It is often described as a "feeling of apprehension, fear, nervousness or dread, accompanied by restlessness or tension".
When does anxiety become a disorder?
When different forms of fear, phobia and nervous condition prevent your child from pursuing normal, daily routines.
Is there a difference between Adolescent and Adult Anxiety?
Yes, because children and adolescents do not usually realise that their anxiety is more intense than the situation warrants. An example of this could be a small revision test being treated with the same level of stress and intensity as a major public exam, it seems to be out of proportion to the importance of the event.
If you have further questions you would like to ask Patricia, make contact here or call the clinic on 02 9002 1340 to make an appointment. Refer to Parent Program and book in for the group course of 4 sessions.
Child (Infants/Primary)
There is more information about related topics in the Articles section on this web site. Establishing effective routines, Building Resilience in children are some of the topics that might be of interest. You can read the articles here.
At different times during Infants/Primary school, children can find things difficult. It might be adjusting to commencing school, it could be making the transition from Infants to Primary school or it might be the personal struggles that many children face during Years 4 -6. There is usually more expected from parents and teachers at this stage and children can find that this makes them more anxious, sometimes they might even be labelled as a 'worrier'.
At, any time during their schooling, children can experience bullying. They might be being bullied or they might be accused of being the bully. Either way it is a cry for help. The earlier the intervention, the quicker and the more effective the result.
Angry outbursts are often associated with later Primary school. There are simple strategies that can help individual children harness this energy more effectively. Children can learn to recognize the signs before the outbursts occur and begin to understand the triggers that are causing their anger. Learning skills at this time helps them to manage stressful situations more effectively in the future.
It is important that any parent who has concerns about the well being of their child seeks professional help. Research shows that early intervention is the key to maintaining happy and self -fulfilled children. It also prevents more serious problems developing during Adolescence. One of the most effective methods for working with children is Sandplay Therapy. This therapy is non- threatening and does not require the child to have an extensive or sophisticated vocabulary. If you would like to find out more about how you can help your child make a booking with Patricia or call the clinic on 02 9002 1340.