A Close Encounter with GAD
Watching a child struggle with anxiety can be very difficult for parents. Anxiety may begin to mask their perception and convince them that their child is already psychologically or emotionally impaired. Many parents find it helpful to keep track of the child’s accomplishments and abilities so that they don’t begin thinking of their child as overly anxious and fearful. Instead they can recognize what abilities their child has that might be useful in dealing with anxiety. A little anxiety isnt always a bad thing. In fact, it can even be used to help motivate a person. Being aware of ones anxiety can also help a person better respond to danger. Anxiety, the bodys reaction to a perceived, anticipated or imagined danger or threatening situation, is a common and normal occurrence among children. All children experience anxiety. Anxiety in children is expected and normal at specific times in development. For example, from around 8 months through the preschool years, healthy youngsters may show intense distress (anxiety) at times of separation from their parents or other persons with whom they are close. Anxious children are often overly...