anxiety

[mcnab]

how do i approach a 9 year old boy who has behavioral symptoms of anxiety? what questions should i ask to get at the root of his behavior. i am his grandmother and in care of him. your recent answer to his nibbling on clothing and nail biting revealed that anxiety.

[specialmom]

Hi,  I do think some people suffer from anxiety from time to time and children finds ways to cope such as chewing on clothing, etc.  Adults chew gum, pace, etc.  Everyone has ways of coping.  True clinical anxiety is a disorder that a physician can diagnose, however, I wouldn't assume this is the case.  I do believe that talking to your grandson would be helpful.  While clinical DSM 4 anxiety can be treated with medication, having worked in this field for many years---  I can tell you that almost always physicians suggest "talk" therapy as well.  This is an important piece of the puzzle.  Anxiety can have roots that  you may be able to help problem solve with your grandson.  You could say something like "I've noticed you chewing on your sleeve a lot lately, is anything bothering you?"  My son has a a delay with his nervous system which causes him to be very oral.  He will suck on sleeves, collars, fingers, etc.  It is a way for him to cope when his nervous system doesn't feel quite right.  He's five now so we have come up with other things for him to chew/suck on.  He has a plastic bracelet, a tube, etc.  Occupational therapists have all sorts of ideas for this stuff as oral soothing is actually pretty common.  Anyway, if you son is not able to function, sleep, or cope----  see a doctor.  But try to talk also.  By the way, OCD is most likely to cause phobias, rituals, etc.  Does he have any symptoms of this?  Good luck!

[jdtm]

Anxiety is not the same as being anxious.  Anxiety is a mental health issue that affects one's physical, emotional and mental state.  Anxiety is usually an inherited trait and not one caused by life experiences.  If anxiety is the issue, the root of his behaviour is embedded in his genetic make-up and asking quesitons will not solve this anymore than asking questions of a person suffering from bi-polar.  Those suffering from anxiety have an irrational fear of things (depends upon the disorder what the fears are) due to an overactive gland in the brain.The only way to treat "this overactive gland" is to lessen this irrational fear and the treatment for this is usually a multi-modal approach - intervention, therapy and possibily medication.  As with most medical/mental health conditions, the first thing to do is always to visit one's physician.  Hope this helps ...