Many kids will tell me they’ll go to football practice, for example, but only if they know someone there. In addition, inform the coach if it is a team or club leader. Then you all know what to do if your child gets panicky.

6. Praise and be positive

When your child reaches a new step, praise, praise, praise and use this when there are struggles.

When does it become a disorder, and why do you need to be worried?

Generally, clinicians often assess the intensity of symptoms, the duration, and the story at which anxiety is interfering with everyday life. Why you need to be worried, anxiety disorders are the most common disorder in childhood and often go untreated. Anxiety can transition to depression later in life. Over half of all mental ill health starts by age 14, and 75% develops by age 18 (Murphy and Fonagy, 2012). We can prevent our children from suffering in later life; social anxiety does not just disappear.

Parenting is hard, and everyone needs support. Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook for all these tips. If you feel anxiety is not something you can manage on your own, attend my workshop to learn more. I also talk about the different types of anxiety, or contact me for a consultation. With Love Catherine

References:

 Research Paper, Recent Findings in Social Phobia among Children and Adolescents

Carla A. Hitchcock, B.A., Research Associate,1 Denise A. Chavira, PhD, Assistant Professor, two and Murray B. Stein, M.D., M.P.H., F.R.C.P.C., Professor of Psychiatry3

Help for Worried Kids, Cynthia Last, PhD