Gifted Children Successfully Riding the Wave of Anxiety Dr. Suzanne Nixon www.novaintegrativetherapycenter.com Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved Do not copy without permission

Evening Program Anxiety Our Anxious Children & Teens The Gifted Child Stress Response Managing Anxiety: How Parents Can Help Their Children Skills & Tools

Anxiety Is Normal An essential biological response Alerts us to an external threat or danger Activates all systems of the body Prepares us for fight, flight, flee or freeze response Serves to protect us

Anxiety Disorders Most Common Mental Health Illness in the US 40 million adults 31.9% of adolescents Female teens, 38%, male teens, 26.1% Separation anxiety & phobias begin to appear by age 7 Only 36.9% receive treatment

SPECT Brain Scans Demonstrate Anxiety is A Biological Disorder, Which Effects Our Psychology & Behavior “Erase the thought: Pull yourself up by your bootstraps.”

Signs & Symptoms Moderate to Severe Anxiety Moderate to excessive worry Fear Difficulty concentrating Muscle tension Irritability Feelings of dread Easily fatigued Eating problems Stomach aches, headaches Sleep problems Heightened sense of awareness of potential threats Diminished joy Lack of interest in activities Isolation Avoiding activities

6 Factors Contributing to Childhood Anxiety Nature ~ Nurture ~ Environment Strong Genetic Component An Anxious Parent Life Events & Traumas Real or Perceived Loss of Control Chaotic, Rigid & Pressured Environments Unsafe Environments Parenting Style

Why are Children & Teens More Anxious Today? Faced paced, hectic life Intensity of Social Media Peer Relationships/Bullying Overscheduled Pressure to Achieve Lack of Emotional/Social Skills Lack of Play & Free Time Over-controlling Parenting Over-protective Parenting

Traits of the Gifted Child “Gifted children tend to have intense, sensitive natures.”* Active Minds & Higher Level Thinking Sensitive & Empathetic (Overexcitability) Imaginative & Creative Perfectionistic & High Sense of Achievement Acute Sense of Justice *Dr. Barbara Clark, California State University of Los Angeles

“Gifted Kids Are More Susceptible to Becoming Anxious. ” Dr “Gifted Kids Are More Susceptible to Becoming Anxious.” Dr. Dan Peters, Psychologist/Author

Stress Can Contribute to Anxiety Normative Stress Modern Day Stress

Anxiety Can Be a Result of Stress What Happens During a Stress Response?

Recovering from a Stressful Episode What You Need to Know “Exhaustion Phase” –A natural calm down response Constant modern day stress, with no down time, creates a continual biological state of internal stress This can led to “emotional breakdowns” and over time manifest into an anxiety disorder

Riding the Wave of Anxiety Notice Your Experience ~Body Sensations ~Thoughts ~Stress Level

How Do You Create Calm?

Managing Anxiety How Parents Can Help Create a Healthy Home Environment Positive Parenting & Modelling Behavior Communicate with Emotional Intelligence Encourage Positive Social Interactions Skills & Tools to Reduce Anxiety

Healthy Home Environment Safe, Dependable, Consistent Provide Structure & Routine Calm Through Ambiance Less Chaos, More Order Foster Connection Promote Relaxation Time A Feel Good Home Builds Safety & Joy Healthy Meals

Positive Parenting What You Can Do Affirm Strengths Acknowledge/Affirm Accomplishments Simply Appreciate Build Resilience Connect & Understand Spend Quality Time Talk About Feelings

Positive Parenting Shift Your Style Realistic Expectations Set Realistic Expectations Pressure Free Environment Back Off! From Overprotecting & Over-Controlling Model Patience, Kindness, Compassion Focus on Happiness more, Achievement Less -

Model Positive Behaviors Think Aloud as to be heard as you navigate a feeling of anxiety Demonstrate how you cope Channel anxious energy by moving, doing something physical Practice Self-Compassion

Do Not Reinforce Anxiety

Your Child’s Brain In a Constant State of Development

Communicate with Emotional Intelligence Specific Skills When your child is anxious Awareness of self, others & the environment Use “I” statements Talk about feelings Acknowledge feelings of others Learn to “emotionally regulate” aka Manage your feelings Listen … a lot Connect & Empathize “I can see you are worried. How can I help you right now?” “I understand you have a lot on your plate. Is there anything I can do to be helpful?” “Sometimes the world doesn’t make sense. Would you like to talk about it?

Social Situations = Often Create Anxiety Encourage Healthy Peer Social Interactions Role Play Social Situations Beforehand Teach Positive Self-Talk – Temper Self-Criticism Plan on Plenty of Transition Time to Social Events Invite Friends Over & Provide Options for Activites

Encourage Positive Social Interactions Relationships Can Fortify the Brain

Evidence Based Practices to Calm the Brain

Tools for Coping with Anxiety Mindfulness & Meditation Mindful Pause Mindful Breathing Stop & Pause Pay Attention to Your Experience Tell Yourself “All will be well” Imagine yourself calming down Be Aware of Your Breath Notice Your Breath Put Your Hand on Your Stomach Intentionally Deepen Breath Counting Breaths: 3, 3, 3 Repeat 4 times

Practices to Empty Mind Write it Down! Daily Words, Daily Pages, Collages Individual or Family Gratitude Journal Families on the Move Walk, Dance, Shake it out

Practices for Coping with Anxiety Be Deliberately Positive & Kind Practice Kindness Positive Thoughts

Dr. Suzanne Nixon ~ Northern Virginia Integrative Therapy Center Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved Do not copy without permission