Anxiety in child

[Newnamexxx]

My DD has just, for the first time, told me she thinks she’s suffering from anxiety. It’s something i’ve worried about for a while because she’s been scared of animals for as long as I can remember and also what I call “risk averse” in that she has never wanted to do anything that might result in her hurting herself. Whilst i’m relieved that she has recognised it and now has opened up the possibility of dealing with it, i’m in bits because I love her so much and want to take this away for her but I know I can’t. I feel like i’ve failed her as a parent. I’m going to investigate our options now (CBT and hypnotherapy) but just need some... I don’t know what but I feel so upset and devastated...

What age is she?

And you haven't failed her as a parent, please don't think that

TheAutoress She’s 12

The only way you would have failed her would be if she couldn't talk to you about it. She had so that means you are doing something right!!!

GP appt Monday and see what help you can get. Also look at mindfulness apps for her phone, see if you can get you both into a yoga class on an evening as yoga has helped my anxiety massively. Just taking an hour out to exercise, stretch and breathe properly!

Hugs to you and your daughter x

Thank you cricketmum - i will try some of the things you suggest. 🙂. X

How good she felt she could talk to you about it. I cried my way through primary school with anxiety but my family wasn't one where the conversation could be had :-( so yes, you definitely haven't failed her.

Thank you PrimaryStress and so sorry that your family weren’t able to support you. Mine was a bit like that too. I do have a good relationship with my DD, she’s my world and I just want her to be happy. She’s such a lovely child, it breaks my heart that she’s suffering.

Anyway, I’ll be getting help for her starting tomorrow.
Thanks for your support x

Hi. It is really good that she is talking with you.
My DD had some issues stemming from anxiety when she was about 8. Was referred to CAHMS by the GP and was seen quickly, which I gather is not a universal experience! It was very effective for her, she still gets anxious but has tactics for dealing with it.
I felt horribly guilty when we first realised how much she had been struggling. She's nearly 12 too now.
Anxiety is actually a normal and sometimes useful state of mind, but some counselling about dealing with intrusive thoughts/catastrophising (or however it is for your DD) should be helpful for you both.

Thanks for your advice Beamur, glad your DD is able to cope better now. We have seen CAHMS as well for a related but more specific phobia issue but it didn’t help. Well, it did help a little but it wasn’t often enough to overcome the issue and I think what’s happening now is why it didn’t help; we were addressing a specific issue rather than the underlying anxiety. I think seeking help for this will be more successful this time because we both now recognise what’s going on.
Xx