Anxiety cont.
Highlight that anxiety can be unpleasant but rarely harmful. It is useful to talk through the Mental Health Continuum and highlight the difference between everyday anxiety, which can be useful, and anxiety that would meet the diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder. Share with the young person that an anxiety disorder is where levels of anxiety impact an individual to such an extent that they are not able to function or learn in a standard schooling environment or in a workplace (197). Be aware that recovery means facing anxiety-provoking situations. Avoiding such situations can slow recovery, which will ultimately worsen anxiety. Therefore, facilitating a young person’s complete avoidance of anxiety-provoking situations may not be supportive to them. Allow the young person to take it at their own pace. It is equally important not to dismiss their fears as trivial, or to force them into situations which cause great distress. Supporting a young person to confront their fears in small, gradual steps, and with choice over their actions, is likely to be the most helpful in the long term.
Avoid concentrating on physical signs. Focusing on poor concentration or difficulties breathing is likely to only increase the fear and anxiety. It is important that the underlying anxiety is addressed so that physical symptoms can pass. With pre-adolescents it may help to sit down at their eye level rather than speak to them from above, which may feel intimidating.
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