T E X A R K A N A M A G A Z I N E
you to be and not who you actually want to be. And the pressure of looking your best in every picture can make you feel judged if you’re too big or too small. Sometimes I even feel like I’m not good enough because you see people who you think have the ‘perfect life’ or the ‘perfect family’ when, in reality, no one’s life is perfect.” I agree with Lindsey. If you look at my profile on Facebook or Instagram, you may think that I have the “perfect life.” I’ve been told that a time or two by people who do not really know the nitty-gritty parts of my life. But behind every smile, there is a story. You may not have known how cancer affected my family, or that I had miscarriages, or that I have to keep in check my thoughts when they start to spiral due to social media. Each of us has things that can lead to anxiety. Most of us have struggles hidden in plain sight, masked by a smile, all while feeling our internal struggles should be ours alone. Take a step and start by putting into practice just one piece of advice from the stories above. Whether through your relationship with God, a strong support system, medical help, or all the above, you do not have to hide anymore. If you choose a clinical route, Billy Eldridge advises to start with a licensed counselor. “The best option for ongoing treatment would be a mental health professional who specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders,” he said. “Based on an assessment, there could be a need for a referral to a psychiatrist for added medical intervention.” Whatever your story is, there is hope for you. These brave souls, in spite of their battles with anxiety, are hopeful. They are looking forward and not backward at an amazing year ahead, and our hope is that you can as well.
Wesley Goodson, LPC, counsels individuals, children, adolescents and families on a variety of issues ranging from behavioral concerns, anxiety, depression, trauma and relationship issues.
How do you feel the of the last couple of years have affected the mental health of school-age children? Have anxiety levels increased? I believe the mandates have affected children in a multitude
of ways. In my own practice, I have seen an increase in children struggling with separation anxiety from their parents. Children have been struggling at drop off or wanting to be more isolated at home. I also believe it has impacted their social development. When we were in lockdown, children did not get to go to school; therefore, they missed the exposure of other children their own age as well as the structure the classroom provides. In my opinion, the mandates have also affected children’s self-esteem. Children and parents were trying to navigate learning virtually while also maintaining a sane household, which led to some children not being on grade level. Now that the children are back in school, children are frustrated and struggle internally with feeling inadequate. How is treating a child with anxiety different from treating adults? Treating anxiety in adults and children has some similarities. However, unlike adults, children have not developed the ability to verbalize their emotions and anxieties. The emotional education piece is very important when treating anxiety in children. I believe in the saying, “you have to name it to tame it.” If children are given the tools to identify their emotions, they will be able to gain control of their anxiety. What are some signs of anxiety in children? Anxiety can appear in many different forms, in my opinion. The most common behaviors are irritability, (becoming) socially withdrawn, needing control over their environment or having perfectionistic tendencies. Physiologically, children may complain about headaches or an upset stomach. What is “normal” vs. when should a parent reach out for help if their child is struggling? I believe some anxiety is a very normal and natural response to situations, such as, the first day of school or meeting new people. However, when it starts to disrupt the child’s day-to-day function, then I would recommend seeking professional help. I think it is important for parents to know that counseling does not have to be a long-term thing. What is your best advice for parents with children who seem to be anxious? I am a firm believer in parent-child attachment and the importance of building a child’s self-esteem to help with anxiety. Reading books with your child increases attachment because it is one-on-one time as well as an educational opportunity. I would suggest reading books about characters being brave, emotional or situational books such as not being afraid of the dark or first day of school jitters. The more a parent can identify and normalize the emotions their child is feeling, the more their self-esteem continues to build.
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H E A L T H & W E L L N E S S
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