You can tell that your child is not well and seems disturbed. It is very possible that he is going through a period of stress and anxiety. To help him, here are some tips. If this persists, contact a psychologist or child psychiatrist to take stock.

Detect the anguish of a child

Your child is not necessarily able to formulate the reasons for his discomfort. But if you feel that he is not well, that he has often headache or stomach ache, changes in sleep, diet, moods or character, it’s probably his way of crying out for help. 

A stress, a move, a change of school or nursery, the absence of a parent, a divorce, a bereavement … Many elements are triggers of more or less strong anxiety in a child. Don’t leave him in this situation, take the initiative to help him point out his problem. 

Putting words on the anguish of the child

Before seeking the help of a psychologist or a child psychiatrist, which is not always the only possible weapon, take the time to communicate regularly with your child. Tell him about the awkward situations he had to go through, name the feelings he may have had, put words on his anxieties and worries, without exaggerating or minimizing them. Have him draw a picture of a situation that scares him. 

If for you, a move is really not the sea to drink, for him it may be an uprooting, a total upheaval of his bearings, an abandonment of the people he knew and loved. Some children face it in an amazing way, others need to be reassured. Likewise, in the event of separation of the parents: reassure him as often as necessary about the unconditional love of his parents despite this ordeal and the fact that he has nothing to do with it. 

Concrete tools to calm a child in an anxiety attack

Very rapid breathing, sweating, vomiting, panic attack… The symptoms are numerous. If the child has one or more panic attacks, stay with him. Take him in your arms, give him a glass of water, talk to him softly. If the anguish persists, try some slow, deep breathing exercises, especially abdominal breathing. 

Breathe in with him for a count of four, then breathe out slowly for a count of four again. Repeat the exercise several times until calm is restored. If the crises multiply or you feel that your child is not able to regain his calm or his joy in life, maybe he’s going through an anxiety disorder. In this case, talk to your doctor. 

Maylis Choné

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