Why are Child Psychologists in Littleton Seeing More Anxiety Disorders?
The news tells us “the kids are not all right.” Anxiety disorders, disruptive behavior, and school problems are some of the top issues that psychologists in Littleton, and across the nation, are dealing with at all-new rates. But why now, and what are we doing about it? Keep reading to see what’s making our kids anxious, and how we can help come back to calm.
Check in on Screen Time and “Overdoing It”
Numerous medical and psychological studies have shown a very clear association between the increase in screen time and increase in stress and anxiety in kids. Sure, many parents from the 80s grew up glued to the TV, but the “bigger screen” is often less intrusive than the phone screen. Today’s kids aren’t just on screens during their “downtime,” they are using them for school, in school, after school, and often in bed. The screens themselves aren’t 100% to blame—consider the overall culture in society. If you’re not on a screen, are you instead at a scheduled activity? Getting work done? Meeting a deadline? When was the last time you sat quietly in a room and reflected on your day, or spent time in nature —without the earbuds? Smartphones are a wonderful tool, but when we use that tool to overschedule and overstimulate ourselves and our children, they can be destructive.
Inclusivity Leads to A Wider Range of Needs
Child behavioral health experts can admit that our field wasn’t always very inclusive. Like much of our society, the medical field spent many years downplaying the needs of minorities and people with special needs. Fortunately, it’s the 21st century and we can do better! Higher rates of anxiety and suicidal ideations are clearly noted in the research for children of color, of lower socioeconomic status, LGBTQ teens, or those who have pre-existing neurodevelopmental differences, such as autism spectrum disorder, learning disorders, or ADHD. Everyday life in Colorado is not “built” for these children the way it was “built” for the classic family of Leave it to Beaver, and that is stressful! Instead of asking “why are we seeing so much more of XYZ,” try changing your perspective and question “why were all of these kids just ignored or punished for so many years?”
The Parents Aren’t All Right Either
We shouldn’t just talk about the anxiety epidemic in kids—most therapists in Littleton find that the anxious apple falls close to the anxious tree. The same stressors your kids are dealing are taking a toll on your mental health as well, and your kids are looking to you for help managing it. Excessive fatigue, sleep disruption, irritability, somatic concerns without explanation (headaches, stomach upset, low immune system, skin issues)—these are all signs of anxiety. How often do your kids see you relaxing and engaging in self-care? You are their model, so make it a priority for them and for you.
Try These Anxiety-Taming Tools With Your Child Today
- Take a mindful nature walk with your child. Lock the phones in the car (have confidence—you will probably not be eaten by a bear during your walk through the neighborhood park!) and see what you can see. You can challenge yourself and your child to notice things of different colors, to count how many different bugs and animals you can see, chat about the day, or just appreciate the silence. Time in nature reduces anxiety and can help build self-regulation skills for children with diagnoses such as ADHD.
- Child psychologists remind our clients that it’s not just important to “reduce screen time,” but instead to find meaningful, calming ways to spend time instead. This is even more important for kids. At least one hour of unstructured activity (play, relaxation, thought, art, literally “whatever you want to do”) is beneficial to children and adults alike. If you can, why not build in an official “day off” where you and your child have nothing “to do” except explore the world and indulge in self-care?
- Go deeper than the standard “take deep breaths” or “count to 10.” These are quick repairs to cope during times of extreme stress, much like bailing water out of a sinking ship. If your child is showing persistent anxious behaviors, you need to fix the leak or dock the ship—reducing the overall anxiety and stress in daily life.
- Consider seeking professional help! Littleton child psychologists work with parents to develop new ways to address anxious behaviors, provide evidence-based supports at home and at school, and provide psychoeducation on the way that our world increases anxiety for kids.
“Don’t worry”—anxiety does not have to last forever. By making positive changes to reduce stress and improve coping, you can help your child feel more confident and equipped to manage life’s stressors. For a personalized treatment plan and expert advice, Dr. Steve Lazarus is here to help!
