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I’m a therapist who offers online support to parents raising kids with anxiety and/or OCD. Check out my podcast, Youtube, Courses & Membership. Sign up for my newsletter:
The biggest support you can give your child with anxiety or OCD is being a solid anchor when they are struggling. But this is WAY easier said than done. You are not a blank slate, and when you go to anchor your child, you need to be grounded yourself. Without being fully grounded, we are likely to add more overwhelm to an already overwhelming situation. There are a few key areas that prevent us from being grounded when our kids are struggling: -How you were raised directly impacts your...
Think back to the last time your child, teen or young adult was having an issue with anxiety or OCD. What was the biggest struggle for you. We are often so focused on what they will or won’t do in the moment, that we forget our part. Did you feel overwhelmed? Irritated? Depressed? Hopeless? Anxious? Numb? As parents, we show up with our own feelings and that has a huge impact on how we respond. For example… If I’m irritated, I’m more likely to respond with annoyance and insensitivity that...
My child was in a rage due to anxiety and OCD. I instantly felt rage stirring inside me too. I felt my body tense, my anger rising as I watched him on the couch imploding. And then… I tuned in to ME. I asked myself, “Why are you so angry right now?” and I gave myself a raw, authentic answer: I’m doing everything I possibly can to improve his mental health. WHY can’t he do his part and improve? (I know, not a rational thought). I am tired and want this to end already. I want to just be able to...