Social anxiety in 6 year old

[anxietyhelppls]

My previously happy, confident, popular child has recently become very anxious in any situation where they've had to leave me or husband. It has slowly progressed from initially not wanting to go to school, to tears at every drop off which is now impacting their extra curricular clubs also. During half term there was a meltdown when my mum picked him up for an activity and to take him out for the day - they've done this many times prior. He is always fine quite quickly and comes out of school happy. No bullying concerns.

It's so difficult to see and we really don't know where it's come from or how to help. GP was less than helpful and told us to go back if it's continuing in one month. It's already been 6 weeks.

Anyone else been through this?

This has happened to children of a few of my friends. One thing the schools have done is organised for them to be dropped off a little later and have several of their friends go and meet them at the gate. This seems to help a bit with drop offs sometimes. Have you spoken to the school? They often have some good strategies.

Thank you, that might be something to try after half term. School have focussed on distraction techniques which does work to an extent. Seems to be fairly common so hopefully it'll stop soon but it's just so hard in the meantime. Do you know how long it went on for your friend's children? Everything I read says we should be over it in around 2 weeks and we're so far past that it worries me!

This is a behavioral issue and you child might be facing some sort of anxiety (seperation anxiety). Try to get some behavior therapy for the child to regulate his emotions.

I was this child, and I have anxiety to this day. I started working on it very late in life, so hopefully your wee one will be fine with you picking up on it now.

My 5 year old starting developing anxiety over going places without me, or me leaving. He is a natural worrier, like if we are walking - he worries I’m too close to the road etc. He doesn’t get the worries going to school but sometimes before a party he says he needs the toilet and that he has a funny tummy, I believe it’s like butterflies or something. I’ve just been as kind as I can and understanding rather than dismissive and it helps! i did a lot of research online and the most common advice is to be patient, understand their fear and talk it through with them.