How to Cope When the Anxious Child Has a Meltdown

When our children exhibit disruptive behavior and appear to be out of control, we can feel helpless and sometimes hopeless. When we realize that their actions are no longer isolated events but have become part of a distressing routine, our mind may come up with myriad of solutions. When our children have anxiety and we know that this a contributing factor, our amazing problem-solving machine — the mind, might also say to us, “You are a terrible parent. It’s your fault.” This is a thought that our mind is providing to help us make sense of the situation. It is only trying to find a solution to match our distress and our child’s behavior. Those thoughts may match the situation, but it is not helpful and is simply not the case! ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) therapists often remind their clients that the mind is like an advisor that provides counsel, but sometimes it may not be useful. When our children suffer, we feel their pain and our mind wants to assist us! When our thoughts, feelings and urges become entangled, we end up believing what the mind is saying. As parents we need to recognize that we would not be experiencing those feelings of inadequacy if we didn’t care and love our children as much as we do! When it comes to helping anxious children, parents can remember that knowledge is power. They can use what they know about their mind to make better decisions, continue with hope, and remember that change is possible. The fight or flight response....
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Children and Teens Memory and Perception Mental Health and Wellness Parenting Self-Help Treatment Acceptance And Commitment Therapy Anxious Thoughts Childhood Anxiety Relaxation stress reduction Source Type: blogs