It is not a coincidence that many kids with anxiety and OCD have sensory issues as well. Sensory struggles often go hand in hand with anxiety and OCD. Many of us have kids who can’t stand tags, have tantrums over socks and go running in the opposite direction to loud noises.
Even though anxiety and OCD often go hand in hand, OCD is often missed. So how can you tell the difference between anxiety and OCD? In this week’s episode I dive into the difference and explore why it is so important to figure out.
Raising a child with anxiety or OCD takes a completely different set of parenting skills. Helping kids work through their issues doesn’t have a begin, middle and end. It is a way of life. A way of looking at life.
If you are parenting a child with anxiety or OCD you might feel alone, misunderstood and even possibly judged. Helping your child battle anxiety or OCD can be so hard on many fronts.
Anxiety and OCD can bully their way into our children’s education. It can create anxiety when it comes to going to school, it can create anxiety at school and it can be a minefield of triggers for a child with OCD. So where do you even start advocating for your child. And how do you know when it is time to get a 504 plan for anxiety or OCD?
You hear about these stories all the time. My son was fine until he woke up one day with OCD. Or – after an infection my child developed debilitating anxiety. There has been growing buzz around what may be causing anxiety or OCD.
Many parents don’t understand Harm OCD. It goes unnoticed, undetected and misinterpreted. Harm OCD makes kids worry they might hurt someone else. They might get them sick. They might accidentally harm them. They might do something to cause a catastrophe. You might have a child who is afraid to touch their nose or their private parts in fear they will contaminate someone else. You might see them washing their hands over and and over and assume that they are afraid of getting sick – when in reality they are afraid of getting other people sick.
Holiday cheer. Gifts galore. Cakes, cookies and treats everywhere you look. Parties and festivities. And then… nothing. Sad looking tree abandoned on the curb. Cardboard boxes stuffed to the brim. It can be a big transition for most of us! But if you are an anxious kid who doesn’t handle transitions well anyway – after the holiday blues can be hard to handle.
A house packed with friends and family. Music blaring. Relatives beckoning and begging for tight hugs. It can sound like a hallmark card for most people, but for anxious kids it can be a living nightmare. Seriously. But it doesn’t have to be that way. You can help anxious kids survive the holidays with some proactive planning!
Parenting kids with anxiety or OCD is hard enough but add all the “well intentioned” comments and thinly veiled judgments and it can be overwhelming. Learn how to not care what others think!
Many of us deal with kids who don’t know how to calm down. Kids who rage over the slightest issue or kids who get paralyzed with fear with any small change.
You may not know how to build your child’s coping mechanisms. Many of us throw platitudes like, “calm down” or “you’re fine.” Unfortunately most of the time that doesn’t cut it. Teaching kids coping skills can be hard, but it is such a crucial thing to teach.
When you are raising a child with anxiety or OCD life is more hectic and overwhelming.
Your child is scared in the middle of the night.
You stay up, listening about bad dreams.
You make the therapy appointments.
You read all the books.
You wipe tears.
You listen to fears.
You quietly worry yourself. You are the caretaker. You are the rock to your child’s storm. But what about you?
Don’t feel alone raising a child with anxiety or OCD. Tell me your biggest struggle and I will give you a video tip and resource guide based on your particular needs. YES! PLEASE HELP How to Help Anxious Kids Deal with Big Family Gatherings It’s that time of year again. Big family gatherings. Cue up the noise, the chaos, the triggers and the picky eating. […]
You’ve read all the books. You’ve joined all the Facebook groups. You’ve started therapy. Now if your child would just get on board with the whole process – they can really make progress with their issues. But they won’t. They refuse to talk about it. They refuse to fight it. They refuse any and all help. How are you supposed to help kids with OCD or anxiety if they don’t want to help themselves?
Anxiety can rob our children of many things. It can rob their happiness. It can take away their ability to be carefree. And it can stifle their self-confidence. Luckily it is not all bad news. Parents can teach their kids to fight anxiety. And they can help boost their child’s self-esteem in some simple ways.
