Getting relief from OCD is not rocket science. OCD is driven by intrusive thoughts that make our kids want to do compulsions. These compulsions can be mental, physical or even just avoidance. The more they do these compulsions, the more their discomfort grows, the more intrusive thoughts they have. OCD is predictable in that way. No matter what thoughts or OCD themes they have, this pattern exists. The only way to break out of this pattern is to have them see the illusions OCD is feeding them and disrupt the pattern that OCD wants them to follow.
It is important for all kids to learn how to advocate for themselves. It is an especially important skill for kids with anxiety or OCD. Many of us feel like we have to go to bat for our kids with anxiety and OCD over and over again. But often we forget the important aspect of pulling back over time to teach our kids how to advocate for themselves. Self-advocacy builds self-esteem and empowerment. It helps kids learn that they have a voice. We can teach our kids to advocate for themselves in simple steps. In this week’s AT Parenting Survival Podcast I talk about the ingredients to self-advocacy and how to build those skills one step at a time.
We all struggle to some degree when faced with discomfort. But when you have anxiety or OCD you are faced with discomfort on a completely different level. Anxious thoughts make us uncomfortable. Intrusive thoughts that are not satiated with a compulsion lead to discomfort. When we work on anxiety or OCD, a key component is building our muscles to tolerate discomfort. This can help us beyond our anxiety or OCD. Learning how to handle any discomfort can increase resilience. Life brings discomfort in many forms. Building resilience goes beyond anxiety or OCD. It can impact how we approach life, obstacles and challenges. It can make the difference between giving up and persevering. In this week’s YouTube video I talk to kids and teens about ways to build their ability to handle discomfort beyond anxiety or OCD.
Anxiety and OCD can impact executive functioning in so many different ways. When our children are being bombarded with upsetting thoughts, executive functioning skills can go out the window. In this week’s AT Parenting Survival Podcast I invited Rachel Kapp and Stephanie Pitts, educational therapists and the hosts of the Learn Smarter Podcast, to discuss ways we can help our kids improve their executive functioning skills.
Dealing with OCD isn’t like dealing with a cold. It isn’t cured and then we move on. It can help to shift our perspective to focus on how to live and, more importantly, thrive with OCD. In this week’s AT Parenting Survival Podcast I talk about how to shift our kids from a victim to an empowerment mentality (and us as well)! We also dive into how to create a lifestyle that acknowledges and works on OCD organically within the home environment.
You watch the child you once knew slowly disappear. The stress, the worry is slowly consuming them. Morphing them into someone you don’t completely recognize. Is this something you can handle? Are there things you should be doing differently? How are you supposed to know when you should get professional help for OCD or anxiety?
As a therapist, I get asked that question often. Here is my response…
If you are about to start child counseling -let’s talk! You thought the decision to start child counseling was hard enough, but how are you supposed to know what makes a good child therapist? You are about to partner with a stranger to help you parent. Gulp. That’s a bit scary. Maybe it took a lot of convincing to get your bundle of nerves to […]
Parenting can be hard when you know all the signs and symptoms of every childhood mental health disorder. Every behavioral hiccup can be over-evaluated and scrutinized. Every developmental struggle can be cause for serious alarm. REALITY HITS My introduction to my own child’s issues came as I sat in a post-graduate class on infant and toddler mental health. I listened as the instructor rattled off […]
You feel over your head. You’ve hemmed and hawed, but last night’s behavior solidified it – you need to find a child therapist. Your child needs help. Your family needs help. But, where do you start? You thought the decision to pursue therapy was hard, but finding a child therapist seems even harder! Where do you find one? What makes a good child therapist? Relax, […]
I am over at Scary Mommy today ranting and raving about my parenting struggles. It can be hard being a child therapist and mom. Sometimes knowing what you should do can be a curse. To read the full article go visit me at ScaryMommy.com. Want more toddler articles. Follow Anxious Toddlers Pinterest boards: Visit Anxious Toddlers’s profile on Pinterest. Get the Scary […]
My Shift from Therapist to Mom of a Child with Sensory Processing Disorder I am a Therapist Mother of a Child with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). They never taught me about Sensory Processing Disorder in graduate school. I learned about sensory processing in the worst way possible. I was in a training for toddler mental health. The professor was covering the topic of sensory […]
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