Quirky Kid Clinic » Child Anxiety

Children and Natural Disasters

Kimberley O'Brien — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 21:20:13 +0000

Natural disasters can be very traumatic for children and adults, alike. Often they happen suddenly, with little time to react, and can leave behind a great deal of destruction to land, homes, and people’s lives.

Following disasters such as the recent floods in Queensland and Victoria, parents are often left wondering how best to address these traumatic natural disasters events with their children.

The type and amount of information you provide your child after a natural disasters is dependent on their age. However, simple explanations that reassure children that they are safe and let them know that you are there caring for them will help.

Tips for Parents

Try to keep routines. If they have been disrupted, help re- establish routines as soon as possible, as these are essential for children to grow and develop typically.
Limit exposure to the media, and adult conversation about the natural disaster. Children are very much influenced by the responses and feelings of parents and other adults. Seek support for yourself of friends and colleagues
Answer any questions that your child may have about natural disasters. Be honest without giving a lot of detail.
Talk about the events related to the natural disasters if your child brings it up, don’t try to change the subject. It’s important to correct any ‘false’ ideas young children may have.
Give children a chance to discuss their experiences of the natural disaster, and to share their fears. This will assist them in their ability to move on.
Be available and reassuring.
Help children gain a sense of self control by allowing them to make choices, that are age appropriate.

It can take weeks, months, sometimes years, for children to fully recover from the stress they may have experienced during a natural disaster. Each child is different. The more consistent children’s daily routines are and remain after a disaster, the better they will be able to adjust and move forward.

Recognising stress in children after a Natural Disasters

Young children

sleep problems,
going backwards in their development, e.g. wetting the bed, clinging and behaviour problems.

School aged children

not wanting to go to school,
nightmares,
behaviour problems,
physical symptoms, e.g. headaches or tummy aches.

Young Adults

Withdrawn,
Appear depressed,
React aggressive under stress.

If you notice that your child’s reaction to stress or trauma due to a natural disaster is not lessening over time, or is becoming worse, it may be beneficial to seek some professional advice. For more information on how the Quirky Kid Clinic can help, or to schedule an appointment please contact us.

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Information for this fact sheet was taken from an interview with Child Psychologist Kimberley O’Brien, the Raising Children Network website and the following article.

Foulks, D. (2005). Nurturing Children After Natural Disasters. A Booklet for Child Care Providers, National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies. Arlington, Virginia, 1-16.

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Back to School @ Daily Telegraph

Leonardo Rocker — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 21:02:08 +0000

Kimberley O’Brien, our principal child psychologist, discussed starting the new school year with Daily Telegraph reporter, Mercedes Maguire. You can find useful, practical and informative advice about parenting by visiting our resources page, – or discussing it on our forum.

To view the full article please visit the Daily Telegraph online.

If you have a story and would like to discuss it with us, please contact us to schedule a time. Kimberley O’Brien enjoys sharing the best of her therapeutic moments with the media. View our media appearances to-date.

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School Experiences @ Voyeur Magazine

Leonardo Rocker — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:39:24 +0000

Kimberley discussed changes in the school experience across generations with Lottie Barr from Voyeur, Virgin Blue’s in-flight magazine. You can find more information on the changes in schools over time, study pressure and performance anxiety, by visiting our resources page or discussing it on our forum.

View the full article. Go to page 30

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Visit the New Quirky Kid Shoppe for more assistance in improving your child school experience. Below are some recommended resources

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Generalised Anxiety Disorder

Leonardo Rocker — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 10:31:57 +0000

Children with Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) experience high levels of anxiety and worry about a number of events or activities, and find it difficult to control these worries. They may worry about as punctuality, school performance or catastrophic events such as earthquakes. The intensity, duration or frequency of the child’s worries is far out of proportion to the actual likelihood of what they fear. In addition to their worries, these children often experience restlessness, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension and disturbed sleep. Children with GAD typically seek approval excessively and require constant reassurance about their performance and their other worries.

What should I look for?

Does your child have excessive anxiety or worry about a number of events or activities?
Does your child find it difficult to control their worries?
Does your child appear restless or ‘on edge’?
Is your child easily fatigued?
Does your child have difficulty concentrating?
Does your child appear irritable?
Does your child appear tense?
Does your child have difficulty falling or staying asleep?
Does your child have restless and unsatisfying sleep?

Recommended Resources:

The Quirky Kid Shoppe has select useful resources for parenting and children experiencing Separation Anxiety and others forms of Anxiety.

How can the Quirky Kid Clinic help your child?

The Quirky Kid Clinic is a unique place for children and adolescents aged 2-18 years. We work from the child’s perspective to help them find their own solutions. If you suspect your child may be experiencing symptoms of Generalised Anxiety Disorder you might consider one of the following options:

Book an individual session with our experienced Child Psychologists
Register for the “Why Worry?” workshop or
Contact us for more information

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Reference:

American Psychiatric Association:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Association, 2000.

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Separation Anxiety

Leonardo Rocker — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 02:14:40 +0000

Separation Anxiety in children is characterized by a extreme level of anxiety when the child is separated from their home, family members and parents. Children displaying signs of Separation Anxiety often become homesick, do not want to attend school, avoid visiting friends houses or may not be able to enter a room on their own. In addition, children can have difficult around bedtime and may insist that someone stay with them until they are asleep. Another characteristic is psychical pains like, stomach aches, nauseas and vomiting, especially when separation occurs. Below you can find more information on what to look for before asking for help.

What should I look for?

Does your child show excessive anxiety relating to their separation from home or people such as Mum or Dad? Is this level of anxiety unreasonable for a child of their age?
Is your child repeatedly distressed when they are separated, or think they are going to be separated, from home or from Mum or Dad or another significant person?
Is your child constantly worried about something happening to a family member, such as an accident or illness?
Does your child worry that something will happen that will separate him/her from the home or family?
Does your child refuse to go to school or participate in other activities away from the home or significant family members?
Is your child excessively scared of being left alone or being without significant family members in other settings?
Does your child refuse to go to sleep without being near a significant person, or does s/he refuse to sleep away from home?
Does your child have repeated nightmares about separation?
Does your child complain of physical symptoms when s/he thinks s/he is going to be separated from his/her home or significant family members?

Recommended Resources

The Quirky Kid Shoppe has select useful resources for parenting and children experiencing Separation Anxiety and others forms of Anxiety.

How can the Quirky Kid Clinic help your child?

The Quirky Kid Clinic is a unique place for children and adolescents aged 2-18 years. We work from the child’s perspective to help them find their own solutions. If you suspect your child may be experiencing symptoms of Separation Anxiety, you might consider one the following options:

Book an individual session with our experienced Child Psychologists
Register for the Why worry workshop and Sydney or register for Why Worry in Melbourne or
Contact us for more information

–

Reference:
American Psychiatric Association:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Association, 2000.

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Divorce and Children @ Sunrise

Leonardo Rocker — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 08:33:36 +0000

Kimberley discussed the impact of divorce on children with presenters of from the Sunrise on Channel 7. You can find out more about the problems associated with separation and divorce and strategies to better deal with it by visiting our resources page or discussing it on our forum.

The full interview is available below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhzdJ-Yb1qU

If you have a story and would like to discuss it with us, please schedule a time. Kimberley O’Brien enjoys sharing the best of her therapeutic moments
with the media.

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Australian Association for Reserch in Education (AARE)

Leonardo Rocker — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:50:16 +0000

We have become members of the Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE). The AARE is the national association for fostering educational research in Australia. AARE facilitates contact between educational researchers and supports the development of high quality educational research.

This is in line with Kimberley O’Brien, our principal child psychologist, current PHD research topic: Self-esteem and social relationships among students in transition to Year 7. Kimberley has been conduction this research for 4 years under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Helen Watt from Monash University.

Kimberley will present her initial finding on the next International Education Research Conference n Canberra in November 2009.

The Quirky Kid clinic offer in school workshops addressing transition, bullying, self-steem and relationships. Please contact us on 02 9362 9297 for more information or to book a workshop on your school.

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Cotton Wool Kids @ Practical Parenting Magazine

Leonardo Rocker — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 01:32:15 +0000

Kimberley discussed overprotective parents with reporters at Practical Parenting Magazine. You can find out more about the pros and cons of being an overprotective parent by visiting our resources page or discussing it on our forum.

The full article is available on the Practical Parenting website.

If you have a story and would like to discuss it with us, please schedule a time. Kimberley O’Brien enjoys sharing the best of her therapeutic moments with the media.

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Facts about Smacking @ Daily Telegraph

Leonardo Rocker — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:46:41 +0000

Kimberley discussed toddler smacking with reporters at the Daily Telegraph. You can find out more about the dangers of hitting your toddler by visiting our resources page or discussing it on our forum.

The full article is available on the daily telegraph website.

If you have a story and would like to discuss it with us, please schedule a time. Kimberley O’Brien enjoys sharing the best of her therapeutic moments with the media.

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Playground Bullying @ Mother Matter Magazine

Leonardo Rocker — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 01:33:05 +0000

Kimberley discussed the topic of playground bullying with reporters at the Mother Matter Magazine. You can find out more about playground bullying, how to prevent it, and tips for parents, by visiting our resources page or discussing it on our forum.

The full article is available on the Mother Matter Magazine website.

If you have a story and would like to discuss it with us, please schedule a time. Kimberley O’Brien enjoys sharing the best of her therapeutic moments with the media.

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