Helping a very anxious 5 yr old

[Gargula]

I would like some advice on how to help my 5 yr old DS with some of his anxiety.

Most of his problems are around watching TV and being left alone. Both of which cause him (and me) quite a few problems.

He is incredibly anxious about all types of TV programme and will almost always shriek and run out of the room at some point. This isn't even mildly scary things either; this morning for example he was crying and anxious about Chuggington, Tilly and Friends, Octonauts and the Tweenies!

He also absolutely refuses to go anywhere in the house without me. He wont go upstairs by himself or with his friends and has started following me around continuously, which is honestly driving me crackers. Any attempt to encourage him to go and play in his room leads to hysteria.

He started school in September with absolutely no problems at all, and doesn't seem to be experiencing such levels of anxiey there.

So how can I help him? Should I keep encouraging him to try these things which are so clearly causing him upset? Or should I back off completely?

I am no expert on this and I still struggle with my ds's anxiety. All I can say is I have more success if I back off and be supportive rather than try to encourage him to do the things he doesnt want to. My ds goes through phases. Before Christmas he did not want to be left alone and would not go to the toilet alone but he is coming out of this phase and now playing on his own and going to the toilet on his own. My ds will be starting school in September and I will expect it to trigger his anxiety which usually means he is more difficult at home. I will be watching this thread with interest as I feel I could also do with some advice about this. Best wishes x

There is an active thread which is a support thread for parents of anxious children. Maybe you should post on there. Good luck x