If your children have been around the news this week or have access to social media, they may have been exposed to anxiety provoking images, emotional sound clips, or the hashtag #familiesbelongtogether in regard to over 2,300 immigrant children being separated from their parents at U.S. borders. This can understandably be a very scary idea for children. The American Psychological Association, The National Association of School Counselors, and The American Academy of Pediatrics (among others) have all released statements about the traumatic repercussions of separating families. However, even if your child is safe at home within your arms, hearing, thinking about, and imagining the situations
All children experience anxiety some of the time. Anxiety is a natural response we all have to a perceived danger that our brains and bodies tell us might be best to avoid. Many of our children’s everyday activities result in them having to perform or live up to some of the pressure they feel from parents, teachers, or even themselves. This can sometimes be perceived as a “danger.” There is a certain level of anxiety that is developmentally appropriate, and maybe even beneficial, for children to experience. Avoidance of danger is present even in infancy and anxiety falls on a continuum from mild to severe. When worry or anxiety keeps your child from doing things they want to do or when anxie
One June 1, I participated in the OCD Texas' Annual OCD Walk for the second time. OCD Texas is an official affiliate of The International OCD Foundation and the coolest thing is while I was walking here in Houston, there were thousands of others walking all over the U.S and the world at the same time! Last year, I was a walker and raised funds. Walking was enlightening and fun. This year, I was honored to be one of the sponsors for the walk. As the current Outreach Chair for OCD Texas, I was much more involved in the process this year and know first hand how much work goes into planning a successful event of this size. Many Kudos to the President and other board members who worked tirelessly
