Coping with Children’s Anxiety during the Pandemic

Anxiety is a common issue for children especially during the quarantine and having to attend school from home. Remember children’s imaginations are very active. During the last few months we have had little to no information about how the Coronavirus works. Therefore, there has not been a lot to explain to children and they have heard a lot on the news. Many parents tell me they have limited the access to news but with their IPads, phones and friends, they hear more than we are aware of. Also don’t forget, prior to the pandemic the children were dealing with mass shootings on a daily basis. Therefore, there is a lot going on to cause anxiety in children.

According to the CDC and what I have seen in my office, anxiety is at epidemic levels for children. The most common reason children are coming into therapy right now is anxiety or depression. Many parents want to know what they can do in between therapy sessions to help their child with their anxiety. I ran across an acronym by Lori Lite that is designed to help children who are anxious. The acronym is ASSURE. I will explain what is stand for and how to use it below.

A – Align with your child

• with their body language
• with their tone and volume of speech
• validate their feelings

S – Share your experience

• your feelings in stressful moments
• mistakes you’ve made and how you emerged from them
• how you cope with stress in day-to-day situation
• perspective you’ve gained from seeing “this too shall pass”

S – Skills-training

• give them words for feelings and worries
• get them involved in appropriate exercise and activities to release stress
• teach and model coping strategies like visualization, deep breathing, positive imagery

U – Uncover stress-related signs and symptoms

• body aches – head, stomach
• irritability and mood change
• appetite change
• sleep changes

R – Reassure them

• that they’ll come through
• that you’re there for them
• that you’re proud of the effort they’re investing in calming and coping
• things will normalize – recall examples

E – Engage the topic when they’re calm

• listen to what they say and don’t say
• respect their process in overcoming stress and worry
• brainstorm options while they’re calm, since that’s when the “thinking” part of the brain is turned on.

This may not eliminate their anxiety all together, but it should help reduce their anxiety. Also remember if their anxiety is severe also seek psychotherapy for your child with a therapist who specializes in treating children. Psychotherapy can now be done via telemedicine so there is no risk of exposing them to the virus. Between the mass shootings and the pandemic caused by the Coronavirus, our children are living through historic times. We have never experienced events like we currently are experiencing so there should be no surprise that children may need psychotherapy at this time.

Dr. Michael Rubino is a psychotherapist with over 20 years experience treating children and teenagers. His practice does offer telemedicine. For more information regarding his work or private practice visit his website at www.RubinoCounseling.com or his Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/drrubino3.