Has anyone used "What to do when you worry too much"

[costagirl]

with their DC? My DS age 8 worried and frets over everything - now has trouble getting to sleep at night becuase he's so wound up, and the GP today has advised that I dose him with Phenergan to break the cycle. But long term I want to help him to be a bit more chilled about everything - is this book any good?

I would try some hypnosis.I give my children anchors to help them relax.

1 you hold your owne wrist and say all is well.Do this during the day and then at night.

2 I tell them to lie on with their hand on their face and that this is mummy giving them a cuddle.

It all takes a bit of practice but it does seem to help.

3 I know of children who are away at boarding school who take rescue remedy to help them.

4 Camomile tea.

5 A hot water bottle.

6 Tell them that everything feels much worse at night.Get then to think about it during the day to prove that the worry (hopefully) isn't so great.

7 Teach them that they are incontrol of their thoughts and that they can turn them off,down stop them.

8 Get them to imagine putting all their worries in a majical box with the lid on, the box is then beside them but not in them,the worries can fight among themselves but not in them.They can open the box during the day if they want.(imagine)

This may all seem a bit batty.I have no proffecional expierience but these are things that work for us.

Sorry just re read your post.Didn't realise that you were talking about a book !!! I haven't read it but let me know how you get on I am very interested.

I have used it and found it very good. My dd has had months of CBT with a psychologist and she uses a lot of the techniques expecially the worry box.
(My dd has Aspergers and her anxiety is off the scale so nothing actually works sadly.)

Yes DD found it good

Great ideas fidelma.
Also you can make a "tool kit" to help with night time worries. Start with a list of things that may help (get DS to suggest them but obviously weed out any that are not appropriate) Sone of ours were, listening to an audio book on the Ipod (or cd player), thinking nice thoughts (come up with a list of 2 or 3 themes) having a lamp close to the bed, having a favourite toy in/on the bed. You then make little pictures or take photos of the "tools", put them in a litle bag/box and keep them by the bed. The idea is these are ways your DS has some control over his fears and he can use his "toolkit" by himself.
Also a lot of discussion in the daytime about what makes him anxious and analysing what it is about things that are scary. If it's eg "monsters" reinforcing that they are not real etc etc. Writing things down and really analysing the "fears" and what are the worst case scenarios is really important.

We also downloaded a relax track which she listens to, that has helped too

Thanks for your answers. Yes, have already put a worry box in his room - he used it the first couple of nights but novelty wore off. DS isn't anxious over the monsters/night time scary stuff - it's more angry and uptight about things that may have happened at school (falling out with friend, being told off for talking, work too boring/too much work to do etc etc etc. Tends to be a different thing each time! School and teacher are lovely, and we can't get to the bottom of what's making him miserable. Just wondered whether that book will help, so may try it.

Yes we've used it. dd is 7 and lots of anxiety especially at night. We found it good adn dd likes it because there are pages for drawing and making the techniques very visual which works for her. I would definitely recommend giving it a try.