{"product":{"product_id":"1591473144","title":"What to Do When You Worry Too Much: A Kid's Guide to Overcoming Anxiety (What-to-Do Guides for Kids Series)","price":"13.0","image_url":"https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51L6AH-bZ+L._SL500_.jpg","url":"https://www.amazon.com/dp/1591473144"},"comments":[{"body":"\u0026gt; He was basically ok in that he’s got anxiety, \r\n\r\n....you do know that \"anxiety\" is a diagnosable condition just like OCD and autism, right?  It sounds like he has generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and maybe some specific phobias as well, though of course I'm a random stranger on the internet not a doctor.  Did the doctors give him a diagnosis?  Did they recommend a specific type of treatment?  CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) is the gold standard treatment for anxiety disorders in both kids and adults.  I highly recommend you look for a CBT therapist who specializes in childhood anxiety.\r\n\r\nedit to add:  I also recommend the book [What to Do When You Worry Too Much](https://www.amazon.com/What-When-You-Worry-Much/dp/1591473144), both to help explain anxiety to him and his siblings and to give you some strategies as you're getting started with a therapist.","subreddit_name":"Parenting","author":"wanderer333"},{"body":"You and your SS might check out the book [What To Do When You Worry Too Much](https://www.amazon.com/What-When-Worry-Much-What/dp/1591473144), which has lots of age-appropriate strategies for defeating intrusive worry thoughts.  (There's another one in the same series focused on OCD, but since your son's issues seem to be pure obsession rather than compulsions, I think it would probably be less helpful.)","subreddit_name":"Parenting","author":"wanderer333"},{"body":"My daughter also has a mild anxiety disorder. We got her to play therapy and it helped her tremendously. She only had to go for maybe 6-8 months before we got to go ahead to stop bringing her regularly. Also I recently got a workbook from Amazon called [What To Do When You Worry Too Much](https://smile.amazon.com/dp/1591473144/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_-lgHFbY3MT9BJ) that she and I have been going through together chapter by chapter. It speaks plainly to the kids and has some good ideas for how to handle and address anxiety","subreddit_name":"breakingmom","author":"girlwhoweighted"},{"body":"What kind of therapy is he receiving, and how often?  Is the therapist working with you to come up with strategies and “homework” in between sessions?  He should be working with someone who specializes in childhood mood disorders and uses an evidence-based treatment like cognitive behavioral therapy. There are lots of good CBT resources out there that you can draw on as well, such as the book [What to Do When You Worry Too Much](https://www.amazon.com/What-When-Worry-Much-What/dp/1591473144) or apps like “Stop Breathe \u0026amp; Think Kids” and “Mindful Powers”.  His school counselor may be able to direct you to other resources as well, or there may even be a group for kids at his school dealing with similar issues.","subreddit_name":"Parenting","author":"wanderer333"},{"body":"Check out the book [What to Do When You Worry Too Much](https://www.amazon.com/What-When-You-Worry-Much/dp/1591473144) - it’s based on cognitive behavioral therapy which is the gold standard treatment for anxiety.  There’s [another book in the series](https://www.amazon.com/What-When-Mistakes-Quake-What/dp/1433819309/) focused on perfectionism that might be helpful too.  Seeing that other kids struggle with these issues too, and that there are specific skills she can learn to overcome them, might be really helpful in itself.  It also might help her be more open to having a professional “feelings doctor” work on these skills with her if things get to that point.","subreddit_name":"Parenting","author":"wanderer333"},{"body":"[What To Do When You Worry Too Much](https://www.amazon.com/What-When-You-Worry-Much/dp/1591473144) is a great book for her to read together with you.  There's another one in that series that focuses on anger as well.","subreddit_name":"Parenting","author":"wanderer333"},{"body":"When my 8 year old daughter was having issues with this, We got this from a school psychologist, that my wife works with. It has really helped with here anxiety and worries.  Its something we have been reading regularly with her. \r\n\r\n[https://www.amazon.com/What-When-Worry-Much-What/dp/1591473144](https://www.amazon.com/What-When-Worry-Much-What/dp/1591473144) \r\n\r\nI hope it helps.","subreddit_name":"lehighvalley","author":"mikethebake"},{"body":"My five year old has found this book/workbook to be really helpful. It’s recommended for ages 6 and up so would depend on your child’s maturity:\r\n\r\nWhat to Do When You Worry Too... https://www.amazon.com/dp/1591473144?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share","subreddit_name":"Preschoolers","author":"annedee123"},{"body":"It sounds like counseling is definitely a good idea, but I'd be wary of online counseling services.  It depends a lot on who the provider is - there are plenty of regular old therapists who are now doing telehealth appointments due to the pandemic, so in that case, I'd say absolutely go for it!  But there are also companies that just warehouse tons of barely-accredited \"counselors\" and use them to offer pretty much one-size-fits-all online counseling, often not covered by insurance, and often minimally effective in my experience.  I think it's really important to give your daughter a positive first experience with counseling, so I would be more concerned about vetting the specific therapist regardless of whether your daughter sees them in person or online.\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, there are also resources that you and she can explore together at home.  Highly recommend the book [What to Do When You Worry Too Much](https://www.amazon.com/What-When-Worry-Much-What/dp/1591473144/), although she's at the older end of the age range so you could also check out the sequel for older kids, [Outsmarting Worry](https://www.amazon.com/Outsmarting-Worry-Older-Managing-Anxiety/dp/1785927825).  I've also heard good things about the book [Superpowered](https://www.amazon.com/Superpowered-Transform-Anxiety-Confidence-Resilience/dp/0593126394) for tweens.  If she's into creative expression, you could also check out an interactive journal like [Put Your Worries Here](https://www.amazon.com/Put-Your-Worries-Here-Creative/dp/1684032148/) or [The Unworry Book](https://www.amazon.com/Unworry-Book-ALICE-JAMES-author/dp/1474950779).  Lastly, she might enjoy learning some mindfulness and relaxation techniques with a book like [Mindful Me](https://www.amazon.com/Mindful-Me-Mindfulness-Meditation-Kids/dp/0807551449) or [Just Breathe](https://www.amazon.com/Just-Breathe-Meditation-Mindfulness-Movement/dp/0762491582), or with an app like Smiling Mind (free) or Calm (some free content, fee to get more).","subreddit_name":"Parenting","author":"wanderer333"},{"body":"I suggest reading up on social anxiety in children - check out [this website](https://www.anxietycanada.com/disorders/social-anxiety/) and [this article](https://www.psycom.net/social-anxiety-how-to-help-kids) for example.  Lots of good children's books that address anxiety as well - [What To Do When You Worry Too Much](https://www.amazon.com/What-When-Worry-Much-What/dp/1591473144) is one I recommend here all the time, it's based on cognitive behavioral therapy which is considered the gold standard treatment for anxiety disorders.  Your daughter is at the younger end of the book's age range but it's something you could explore with her together.  There's another book in that series that focuses on social anxiety specifically, [What To Do When You Feel Too Shy](https://www.amazon.com/What-When-You-Feel-What/dp/1433822768), which I'm less familiar with but it seems to have great reviews.\r\n\r\nPicture books can be helpful for showing kids they aren't alone in their struggles and modeling positive coping skills; for anxiety more generally, I'd recommend [How Big Are Your Worries, Little Bear?](https://www.amazon.com/How-Your-Worries-Little-Bear/dp/1925089207), [Ruby Finds a Worry](https://www.amazon.com/Ruby-Finds-Worry-Bright-Feelings/dp/1547607246/), and [Jonathon James and the Whatif Monster](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/161067118X; that last one has recently been turned into a series of early reader books, which might be worth checking out too ([this one](https://www.amazon.com/Whatif-Monster-Chapter-Book-Sebastian/dp/1952013054) is about a dyslexic child who's anxious about reading aloud, for example).  There are some books about shyness that might be relatable for her as well, such as [Too Shy to Say Hi](https://www.amazon.com/Too-Shy-Say-Shannon-Anderson/dp/1433831589/) and [Too Shy for Show and Tell](https://www.amazon.com/Too-Show-Tell-Little-Boost/dp/1404874186/).  [I Talk Like a River](https://www.amazon.com/Talk-Like-River-Jordan-Scott/dp/0823445593/) is also a beautiful story about stuttering.\r\n\r\nLastly, as suggested in the other reply, you try teaching her some calming techniques like mindfulness and deep breathing - some great resources for that include [Breathe Like a Bear](https://www.amazon.com/Breathe-Like-Bear-Mindful-Anywhere/dp/1623368839), [Mindful Moments at Bedtime](https://www.amazon.com/Mindful-Moments-Bedtime-Scarlett-Wing/dp/1680523686), and the [Mindful Kids](https://www.amazon.com/Mindful-Kids-Activities-Focus-Peace/dp/1782853278) card deck.\r\n\r\nHope something in there is helpful to you and your daughter!","subreddit_name":"Parenting","author":"wanderer333"},{"body":"Have you talked to a mental health professional about his anxiety?  If it's to the point of interfering with his quality of life, then it's time to seek professional guidance.  That could mean a therapist working with him directly, or possibly just coaching you on how to help him.  I would start by asking his doctor for a referral to a therapist who specializes in childhood anxiety.\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, there are some good books you might check out - [What To Do When You Worry Too Much](https://www.amazon.com/What-When-Worry-Much-What/dp/1591473144) is one I recommend here all the time, it's based on cognitive behavioral therapy which is considered the gold standard treatment for anxiety disorders.  Your son is at the younger end of the book's age range but it's something you could explore with him together.  The picture books [How Big Are Your Worries, Little Bear?](https://www.amazon.com/How-Your-Worries-Little-Bear/dp/1925089207) and [Jonathon James and the Whatif Monster](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/161067118X) both offer helpful strategies in the context of a story.  You might also work with him on some calming techniques like mindfulness and breathing - some great resources for that include [Breathe Like a Bear](https://www.amazon.com/Breathe-Like-Bear-Mindful-Anywhere/dp/1623368839), [Mindful Moments at Bedtime](https://www.amazon.com/Mindful-Moments-Bedtime-Scarlett-Wing/dp/1680523686), and the [Mindful Kids](https://www.amazon.com/Mindful-Kids-Activities-Focus-Peace/dp/1782853278) card deck.","subreddit_name":"Parenting","author":"wanderer333"},{"body":"Highly recommend the interactive book [What To Do When You Worry Too Much](https://www.amazon.com/What-When-Worry-Much-What/dp/1591473144); there's another in the same series focused specifically on OCD as well, called [What To Do When Your Brain Gets Stuck](https://www.amazon.com/What-When-Brain-Stuck-What/dp/1591478057).  The [UnWorry Book](https://www.amazon.com/Unworry-Book-ALICE-JAMES-author/dp/1474950779) might be another good one if she likes doodling, coloring, etc.  You could also think about something focused on mindfulness and relaxation, like the book [Mindful Me](https://www.amazon.com/Mindful-Me-Mindfulness-Meditation-Kids/dp/0807551449/) or these [Meditation Cards](https://www.amazon.com/Meditation-Cards-Kids-Mindfulness-Meditations/dp/0578518279).\r\n\r\nOr, if you were thinking more along the lines of a fiction story that touches on these themes, I know there's a new middle grade graphic novel called [Roll With It](https://www.amazon.com/Just-Roll-Graphic-Lee-Durfey-Lavoie/dp/1984896997) about a girl struggling with anxiety and OCD.  You might find some other good options on [this list](https://www.pragmaticmom.com/2017/09/ocd-characters-childrens-books/).","subreddit_name":"AskParents","author":"wanderer333"},{"body":"Definitely a good idea to talk with a professional, and in the meantime there are some good resources out there for helping kids deal with anxiety, such as [this website](https://www.anxietycanada.com/learn-about-anxiety/anxiety-in-children/) and accompanying [free online course for parents](https://maps.anxietycanada.com/en/courses/child-map/), or [this list](https://copingskillsforkids.com/calming-anxiety) of coping skills for kids.  I also highly recommend the book [What To Do When You Worry Too Much](https://www.amazon.com/What-When-Worry-Much-What/dp/1591473144), both for helping her understand anxiety and for providing specific strategies to try.  You might look into resources about health anxiety related to COVID too; even if she's not specifically focused on that, it seems quite possible that the general atmosphere of anxiety around the pandemic is contributing.\r\n\r\nAnd the most important thing is to not blame yourself - you didn't cause this, and in a way you are actually better equipped to help her than many parents who wouldn't understand what she's experiencing.  Just make sure you are taking care of yourself and processing your own feelings about this too!","subreddit_name":"Parenting","author":"wanderer333"},{"body":"[What To Do When You Worry Too Much](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1591473144/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_OaQHyTIOThKgF)\r\n\r\nThere are a lot of other books out there. My daughter is in second grade And I had to go through the book with her. There are a ton of workbooks on Amazon about how to deal with anxiety and other big emotions, for all different ages.\r\n\r\n[I also saw this book](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1951287053/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_KT9725Y765Y8P9WZPS8T?_encoding=UTF8\u0026amp;psc=1) And it looked like it may be age-appropriate as well. It's not a workbook, it's a storybook and it looks like there's a whole series of these books. Actually I might be ordering the little spot of anger one for my little guy heh","subreddit_name":"AskParents","author":"girlwhoweighted"},{"body":"My daughters went through the exact same thing. It started all of the sudden when one of them was afraid for us to leave them at age 7 for the first time in her life. Then it turned into \"bad thoughts\" and not wanting to go to school, etc. I have twins and both of them went through this at different times but it seems like it is something about 1st grade - 3rd grade where this is really common. Out of sheer desperation, I bought the book \"What to Do When You Worry Too Much\" on Amazon. It is an interactive book for kids that talks about strategies for not letting their worries grow, saving their worries for one 15 minute time period in the day and resetting their system. It really helped both of my girls, and pretty quickly because they felt like they finally had a strategy or something that could help them. I hope that this helps you!\r\n\r\n [https://www.amazon.com/What-When-Worry-Much-What/dp/1591473144/ref=sr\\_1\\_3?keywords=Worry+book\u0026amp;qid=1574100550\u0026amp;sr=8-3](https://www.amazon.com/What-When-Worry-Much-What/dp/1591473144/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=Worry+book\u0026amp;qid=1574100550\u0026amp;sr=8-3)","subreddit_name":"Parenting","author":"Oh_Granch"}]}