In this episode of the Parent Doctor Podcast, Dr. Marissa Caudill addresses the prevalent issue of anxiety in children, noting that one in three children will experience symptoms meeting the criteria for an anxiety disorder before their 18th birthday. She outlines the various types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, separation anxiety disorder, and specific phobias.
Dr. Caudill emphasizes that although anxiety disorders are common, effective treatments exist, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. If you are in need of a therapist for your child, a good place to start is the website Psychology Today.
She also highlights the importance of supportive parenting and resources like Dr. Eli Leibovitz's SPACE program and Lynn Lyons' educational work.
Additionally, Dr. Caudill discusses the role of genetic and environmental factors in anxiety, the rise of anxiety among teens due to academic and social pressures, and the impact of technology and social media.
She stresses the protective power of spiritual connection and concludes by offering resources for parents concerned about their child's anxiety, including an assessment tool and guidance on medication.
Wondering if your child's anxiety is at the level of a 'disorder'? Use this assessment (SCARED pdf).
Check out Lynn Lyon's podcast here: Flusterclux
And her excellent books Anxious kids, anxious parents here and The Anxiety Audit here.
Jonathan Haidt's new book The Anxious Generation can be found here.
To read more about the protective power of spirituality on mental health, check Dr. Lisa Miller's wonderful book The Spiritual Child here.
And to understand better how connecting to spirituality and consciousness can guid you as a parent, check out Dr. Shefali Tsebary's great book The Conscious Parent here.
You can take the ACEs questionnaire to get a sense of your basal sympathetic tone here.