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ANXIETY

Does Your Child:

  • Bite his/her nails?
  • Have difficulties with change or new situations?
  • Have repetitive behaviours ?
  • Complain of physical symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, stomach ache, headaches?
  • Experience phases of intense anger, inflexibility, tantrums?
  • rapid heartbeat, dizziness, shortness of breath or difficulty
  • hyper or hypo activity, difficulty sleeping

Your child may be experiencing a degree of anxiety.

What are the different types of anxiety?

  • Social Anxiety Disorder ( SAD)
  • Separation Anxiety Disorder
  • Selective Mutism
  • Specific Phobias
  • Generalized Anxiety
  • Panic Disorder

Why be concerned?

The Top 12 Childhood Concerns according to the 2008 National Poll on Children’s Health done by Knowledge Networks, Inc. for Mott Children’s Hospital at the University of Michigan include:

  1. Childhood Obesity
  2. Drug Abuse
  3. Smoking
  4. Bullying
  5. Internet Safety
  6. Child Abuse & Neglect
  7. Teenage Pregnancy
  8. Alcohol abuse
  9. Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity
  10. Sexually Transmitted Infections
  11. Harmful Chemicals In the Environment
  12. Less Physical Activity

Of these top 12 concerns, many have the common underlying factor anxiety. For example research shows that overweight children may suffer from anxiety as young as the age of 6. (Journal of Applied Developmental Science, U. of Missouri, 1998) Overweight kids suffering from low-self esteem also run the risk of developing future problems, such as eating disorders, people-pleasing tendencies and unhealthy sexual behaviour as adults.

What are the Health Connections related to this trend?

The most significant organs include:
• The Nervous System-Over worry leads to sympathetic overstimulation which in turn leads to anxiety and potentially panic.
• The Adrenal Gland-Initially over produces fight or flight hormones which increase anxiety and then gets tired from overworking. These hormones subsequently fall off often leading to fatigue and depression
• Digestion-Is most commonly affected leading to diarrhea, constipation or upset

• Liver– When unbalanced can lead to headaches

Anatomy of Stress- shows the complete relationship of the organs and the balance in the nervous system, the adrenal gland, the thyroid and their relationship to hormones. The pathway from beginning to end is shown in the Health Wellness Spectrum(HWS)©: (For more details of the HWS © see the April 2008 Newsletter Allergies, Asthma and Eczema)

Top 10 Treatment Options:

1. Regulate and manage blood sugar– often an underlying cause or aggravating factor of anxiety type symptoms. Thus ensure that your child has at least 3 palm size servings of protein daily and does not go longer than 3 hours without a snack. Also watch the glycemic index of foods , as foods that are too high, break down into sugar too quickly and cause a reactive low blood sugar state 1 ½ hours later. Focus on foods lower than 55 on the glycemic index scale . See Addendum 2 For The Glycemic Index of foods .

2. Food Intolerances- Ensure you are eating what is right for you and this will also help regulate blood sugar.

3. Exercise- keeps the natural endorphins balanced.

4. Sleep-Ensure your child gets enough sleep at least 9-10 hours on average

5. Stress Management Techniques and Counselling-“ Loss of Control” is perceived as a lack of structure, too much open space or a feeling of being overwhelmed. Assist your child in creating a framework to help them attach to :
For example if you walk into a room and everything is chaotic. Think about how your stress level feels VS Sorting groups of items and placing in 12 baskets. The structure helps the perception of groups of things to do or a framework to attach yourself to.

In the same token assist your child by using strategies such as :

  • § Being clear on expectations
    § Create family traditions- assists in helping them to feel like they belong to a group
    § Create routines ie meals, time for homework, relaxation
  • § Helping them with new situations by giving them as much information as possible to help ease how they will feel.
    § Assist them with getting connected to a comfort person either at the new situation or location
    § Practice new roles , tasks
    § Encourage them to know that it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert at a particular field ( Outliers, Malcom Gladwell, 2007) and that it is normal to be at their level for the time they have spent doing it
    § Find things that they do absolutely love doing and a point of inspiration for them
    § Foster their natural talents versus what we wish we could do or want them to do

6. B-complex multivitamin -Studies show that the B’s are natural stress-reducers—the body requires vitamin B6 to make serotonin, for example—and not getting enough of them can contribute to anxiety.

7. Magnesium-researched shows that a deficiency may causes increased levels of adrenaline, which can lead to a feeling of anxiety

8. Botanicals such as:

  • • Fennel Tea- Relieves gastrointestinal upset
    • Chamomile– Helps to gently calm nerves

9. Homeopathic Remedies such as:

  • • Gelsemium used often for nervousness of up and coming situations
  • • Silica is well respected as a homeopathic remedy for timid and fretful children. It may also be recommended for individuals who are sensitive to certain substances and prone to feeling ‘run down’. People who need this remedy are usually nervous, shy, refined, and fragile, with a strong desire for sweets.
  • • Aconite is a proven homoeopathic remedy that is manufactured from the herb commonly known as Monkshood. Aconite is used homeopathically for its calming and settling properties and assists with the body’s natural ability to soothe common fear and promote balanced mood, which helps support overcoming shyness in children. Aconite is also recommended to help lessen restlessness, nervousness and agitation.
  • • Pulsatilla is a remedy used for a shy child who often can’t make decisions
  • • Rhus Tox is a remedy for a very restless child

10. Rescue Remedy– a bach flower remedy for assistance of generalized anxiety

We all feel varying degrees of anxiety and different times of our life. However when it becomes persistent and interferes with daily life, it is important to seek support. An individualized plan is recommended and professional consultation with your Naturopathic Doctor is important to find the right dosing and plan for your child.

Addendum 1- Types of Childhood Anxiety, Age of Occurrence , Behaviour and Common Symptoms

Type of Anxiety Common Age of Occurrence Behaviour Common Symptoms
Social Anxiety Disorder ( SAD) 5 & 610 & 11 Avoidance of :§ social situations (ie recess, group activities such as birthday parties)§ performance situation (reading aloud in front of a group) § nausea stomachache diarrhea headache§ racing heart dizziness§ defiance§ anger

§ inflexibility

§ tantrums

§ school Refusal/Avoidance

§ separation Anxiety

§ selective Mutism

Separation Anxiety Disorder 7-918months-3yrs normal4% of children over the age of 4
  • Avoidance or refusal to go places alone
  • School refusal
  • Refuse sleepovers or camp
  • Demand parent be around
  • Have nightmares when separated from loved ones.
  • Appear in parents bedroom in middle of the night.
Selective Mutism ( form of SAD)It is defined as failure to speak in situations where speech is expected or necessary persisting for at least one month. Yet often, these children can be very talkative, even boisterous in a place where they feel comfortable. 4-8
  • Stand motionless and expressionless (try to be “invisible”)
  • Avoid eye contact or withdraw out of sight
  • Exhibit Separation Anxiety
  • Exhibit anxiety symptoms, both physical and behavioral before social events
  • Exhibit frequent tantrums, inflexibility, sleep problems and extreme shyness.

These symptoms can be seen in infancy.

Specific Phobias A specific phobia is defined as an intense, irrational fear of a specific object, or a situation that lasts for at least 6 months. And interferes with daily life. Can be anytime Fears Of:

  • · Animals, “monsters”, cartoon characters
  • · Storms, loud noises
  • · Heights, elevators
  • · Pools, bathtubs
  • · Night time or the dark
  • · Needles, or medical procedures, blood
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)It is characterized by excessive worry and anxiety over a variety of things such as performance, family, health, natural disasters, etc.
The affected child cannot control his/her worry and it interferes with normal activities.
6-11
  • Muscle tension and inability to relax: restlessness
  • Fatigue, sleep difficulty
  • Difficulty concentrating, muscle aches

§ Irritability

Children with GAD tend to be hypercritical of themselves and strive for perfection. They may require constant reassurance and approval.
Panic Disorder with or without AgoraphobiaPanic Disorder is diagnosed when a child suffers at least two unexpected Panic Attacks, followed by at least 1 month of concern over having another attack, losing control, or “going crazy.” A Panic Attack is defined as the abrupt onset of an episode of intense fear or discomfort, which peaks in approximately 10 minutes. Any Age20’s most common Children often become apprehensive when in situations or places where they have previously had attacks.Agoraphobia can develop when a child begins to avoid situations in which a panic attack previously occurred, or avoids places which s/he feels would not be able to escape if experiencing a Panic Attack. Children can also avoid places or situations in which they fear a symptom attack will occur nauseaheadachedizzinesspalpitations

fainting

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ( OCD)Compulsions (repetitive behaviors or mental acts)are performed in an attempt to reduce a feeling of anxiety Any age5 plus § repeated hand-washing, checking, tapping, or mental routines (such as counting backwards from 100)§ An example of an intrusive thought is “I might get sick and die from touching a bathroom door”.

Addendum 2

Food List Rating Food Glycemic Index
Bakery Products
*Pound cake Low 54
Danish pastry Medium 59
Muffin (unsweetened) Medium 62
Cake , tart Medium 65
Cake, angel Medium 67
Croissant Medium 67
Waffles High 76
Doughnut High 76
Beverages
Soya milk Low 30
Apple juice Low 41
Carrot juice Low 45
Pineapple juice Low 46
Grapefruit juice Low 48
Orange juice Low 52
Biscuits
Digestives Medium 58
Shortbread Medium 64
Water biscuits Medium 65
Ryvita Medium 67
Wafer biscuits High 77
**Rice cakes High 77
Breads
Multi grain bread Low 48
Whole grain Low 50
Pita bread, white Medium 57
Pizza, cheese Medium 60
Hamburger bun Medium 61
Rye-flour bread Medium 64
Whole meal bread Medium 69
White bread High 71
White rolls High 73
Baguette High 95
Breakfast Cereals
All-Bran Low 42
Porridge, non instant Low 49
Oat bran Medium 55
Muesli Medium 56
Mini Wheats (wholemeal) Medium 57
Shredded Wheat Medium 69
Golden Grahams High 71
Puffed wheat High 74
Weetabix High 77
Rice Krispies High 82
Cornflakes High 83
Cereal Grains
Pearl barley Low 25
Rye Low 34
Wheat kernels Low 41
Rice, instant Low 46
Rice, parboiled Low 48
Barley, cracked Low 50
Rice, brown Medium 55
Rice, wild Medium 57
Rice, white Medium 58
Barley, flakes Medium 66
Taco Shell Medium 68
Millet High 71
Dairy Foods
Yogurt low- fat (sweetened) Low 14
Milk, chocolate Low 24
Milk, whole Low 27
Milk, Fat-free Low 32
Milk ,skimmed Low 32
Milk, semi-skimmed Low 34
*Ice-cream (low- fat) Low 50
*Ice-cream Medium 61
Fruits
Cherries Low 22
Grapefruit Low 25
Apricots (dried) Low 31
Apples Low 38
Pears Low 38
Plums Low 39
Peaches Low 42
Oranges Low 44
Grapes Low 46
Kiwi fruit Low 53
Bananas Low 54
Fruit cocktail Medium 55
Mangoes Medium 56
Berries Low Medium
Apricots Medium 57
Apricots (tinned in syrup) Medium 64
Raisins Medium 64
Pineapple Medium 66
**Watermelon High 72
Pasta
Spaghetti, protein enriched Low 27
Fettuccine Low 32
Vermicelli Low 35
Spaghetti, whole wheat Low 37
Ravioli, meat filled Low 39
Spaghetti, white Low 41
Macaroni Low 45
Spaghetti, durum wheat Medium 55
Macaroni cheese Medium 64
Rice pasta, brown High 92
Root Crop
Carrots, cooked Low 39
Yam Low 51
Sweet potato Low 54
Potato, boiled Medium 56
Potato, new Medium 57
Potato, tinned Medium 61
Beetroot Medium 64
Potato, steamed Medium 65
Potato, mashed Medium 70
Chips High 75
Potato, micro waved High 82
Potato, instant High 83
**Potato, baked High 85
Parsnips High 97
Snack Food and Sweets
Peanuts Low 15
*M&Ms (peanut) Low 32
*Snickers bar Low 40
*Chocolate bar; 30g Low 49
Jams and marmalades Low 49
*Crisps Low 54
Popcorn Medium 55
Mars bar Medium 64
*Table sugar (sucrose) Medium 65
Corn chips High 74
Jelly beans High 80
Pretzels High 81
Dates High 103
Soups
Tomato soup, tinned Low 38
Lentil soup, tinned Low 44
Black bean soup, tinned Medium 64
Green pea soup, tinned Medium 66
Vegetable and Beans
Artichoke Low 15
Asparagus Low 15
Broccoli Low 15
Cauliflower Low 15
Celery Low 15
Cucumber Low 15
Eggplant Low 15
Green beans Low 15
Lettuce, all varieties Low 15
Low-fat yogurt, artificially sweetened Low 15
Peppers, all varieties Low 15
Snow peas Low 15
Spinach Low 15
Young summer squash Low 15
Tomatoes Low 15
Zucchini Low 15
Soya beans, boiled Low 16
Peas, dried Low 22
Kidney beans, boiled Low 29
Lentils green, boiled Low 29
Chickpeas Low 33
Haricot beans, boiled Low 38
Black-eyed beans Low 41
Chickpeas, tinned Low 42
Baked beans, tinned Low 48
Kidney beans, tinned Low 52
Lentils green, tinned Low 52
Broad beans High 79
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Naturopathic Doctor in Ottawa – Revivelife Clinic  |  69 Kempster Avenue Ottawa, ON K2B 6M2  |  Phone: 613.829.7100  |  Fax: 613.829.2608

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Ottawa, ON K2B 6M2