5 Year Old with Anxiety

Lavender is a very calming scent. It relaxes you. You might try using an oil burner to have the scent in your home. or you could get a lavender oil and put a drop on her clothes so that it is with her all day. You could also give her a bath with lavender bath products. check out this website and you can get the lavender stuff delivered to you. www.thebodyshopathome.com/web/aoaks
good luck

My 5 year old also has high anxiety. He is much calmer when kept busy because it gives his mind less time to think. His preschool teacher has been wonderful. She will take me aside when he has shown signs of stress at school and if he has talked about anything going on in his little head. We have a lot of toys at home to act things out, to pretend with, and if we let him play and play with him some he will start to talk about things in his head. When he does this, he relaxes more, sleeps better and is overall happier. Other suggestions which we are trying this fall is recreational sports. Playing on a team, soccor, t-ball, basketball or running will greatly help. It gives them something to stay busy with, and keep their minds from wondering. We are also working on the fact that it's ok to have angery or mad thoughts, but you have to talk about them, or let the other person know they have hurt you.
My son is not as anxious as your daughter, but these things have helped us a lot!

I sympathize with what you're going through. My daughter and one of my sons has gone through this type of thing. My son is 11 and has learned to handle his anxiety better, but only because he saw a child psychiatrist and child psychologist. If your pediatrician has not suggested that, I'd change pediatricians because he is not addressing the entire spectrum of health for your child. My daughter is 8 and is doing better but still slips back into these behaviors. You can help by making transitions as matter of fact as possible with plenty of warning of what will change and what is expected. Water is crucial to healthy brain functions, and it could be playing a part.Anxiety is inherited as well as modeled. But it also sounds as if your daughter is controlling the house. For your sake as well as hers, take her to a CHILD psychologist who can evaluate what is going on as well as the impact this is having on the family. They will give you some solid techniques to use in addition to the relazation techniques you are trying. PHysical exercise helps with the relaztion too. Get her involved in as many physical activities as you can, like gymnastics, dance, taekwondo (great for relazation and self-control), for several times a week. Medication may help her get through the rough episodes, and it is not a bad thing when used with therapy and the other avenues you are already on. Good luck. It will get better when you find the right combination for your daughter.

A. I really feel for you. The doctor should have given you different ways to deal with your daughters issues. Maybe try consultanting a Mental Health Specialist and see what they can do. Also you must look at the fact sometimes children do not adjust well to other siblings. She probably feels that you don't have time for her considering that you have two small children. Teach her to be a helper and maybe she will feel more included. I wish the best of luck.

Hi A.!

Both of my children have gone through this at one time or another. When I talked to their preschool teacher about this she said to try activities such as play doh. She said the play doh allows them to use their hands in order to get rid of their stress and anxiety. Hope this helps!