Anxiety is a normal and often healthy emotion. However, when a person regularly feels disproportionate levels of anxiety over a prolonged time it can deplete the immune system, causing stress related illness and even become a medical disorder.

Normal anxiety is the body’s natural reaction to danger and is often called the fight or flight response. We experience anxiety physically and emotionally and it affects our thoughts and behaviours. The main job of anxiety is to keep us safe and help us to react quickly and intuitively so we can avoid or get away from a dangerous situation by running or fighting if we have to. When this job is done the body should naturally reset back to the rest and digest mode.

It is estimated that 1 in 9 people will be affected by anxiety in their life time. Common symptoms that people report are physical sensations like palpitations, nausea and loss of appetite. Over time this can develop into overwhelming feelings of fear and worry causing restlessness, irrational thoughts and behaviours, or panic attacks.

It is easier to recover from anxiety the earlier it is detected. If your child seems distant, irritable or pulls back from sport or friends these are early signs of anxiety. Teens often reassure parents that they are keeping up with friendships online. Research indicates that using social media to keep in touch and create off-line friendships can add vitality to our life however spending hours every day using social media mainly as a substitute for real connection causes feelings of loneliness and inadequacy to worsen. Harvard research has correlated that close relationships with family, friends and community are in fact what keep people happy throughout their lives (Vaillant et al, 2010).

Things you can do to support your child’s recovery

•  If your child is internalising things be loving and supportive

•  Listen and give them space to talk without trying to fix things

•  If your child doesn’t want to talk to you consider asking a trusted relative or teacher to be that listening ear

•  Prioritise family time and eating meals together.

•  Choose fun group activities and encourage your child to bring a friend or two along.

•  Remove Stress - Uncertainty and too much stress makes anxiety worst, affecting the immune system, cardiovascular system and gut health

•  Bin the junk food - Junk food draws on your nutritional reserves. Sugar and processed carbohydrates are linked to mood swings and anxiety. Fresh vegetables cooked or raw, good quality meat/eggs and essential fats will help improve mood.

•  Supplements - When nutritional reserves are depleted, it is difficult to consume enough nutrition from food to rebuild nutritional stores. Taking a wholefood multivitamin, Vit D3 and omega 3 daily will help to support the immune system and brain health.

•  Exercise - Go for walks together out in nature the company, fresh air and sunshine will be good for both of you.

•  Trust your intuition. If you feel thing’s are not improving be confident to ask for professional help. As the sooner your child gets the support they need the more fully they can enjoy their childhood.

It is normal for children to deny there is anything wrong and not want to talk. Be reassured there are therapies available to help them deal with the emotions and worries without talking directly about the problem. There are also techniques that parents can learn and use at home to support their child. In the long run the earlier you get your child help the easier it is to resolve the issue.

Amanda Roe is a trauma therapist and mind coach who specialises in stress related illness. She worksat Roe Health., Skibbereen and you can book a FREE 15 min Consultation with Amanda here.

Vaillant GE, McArthur CC, Bock A (2010) Grant Study of Adult Development, 1938-2000

 https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/48WRX9, Harvard Dataverse.