More useful Websites - Anxiety

The following are websites that people in the mental health/wellbeing field have recommended to me over the last few years.

hope.vancouver.bc.ca

anxieties. com (practical)

panicattacks.com.au

socialphobia.org

freedomfromfear.com (self-help)

socialanxietyinstitute.org

social-anxiety-network.com

Happy searching....
SHC

Websites

Try out these websites for helpful tips related to mood and self-esteem.

mindyourmind.ca (particularly good for teens)

selfesteem2go.com

Disordered Eating

Carol Normandi and Laurelee Roark, in their book "It's not about Food", say:

"The issue of food and weight is serving an important function in your life and you have no chance of letting it go until you understand what that function is. This does not mean that you have to understand every emmotional reason why you are over or under eating. But it does mean that you need to realize you've been trying to help yourself the only way you know how".

On this note, if you are struggling with body image or eating concerns, consider things like: feeling insecure, relationships, identity, need for love, reassurance, security and soothing. We often deal with emotional struggles and relationship insecurities/family dysfunction by placing them on to our bodies. Sometimes the only way we know how to soothe ourselves is to eat, but the only way we know how to be accepted, as women in this culture, is to "control" our weight.

Food for thought.
SHC

Separation Anxiety in Children

At this time of year, with new beginnings and transitions, I often hear about parents and children struggling with separation anxiety. The following is important information for parents. It may be useful to educate oneself about the issue in order to be tuned in to what is happening for one's children.

The key feather of this issue is excessive anxiety related to being separated from those to whom the child is attached.

Things to watch for include irrational fears, nightmares, emotional conflicts, and school refusal. Domestic issues may be related to or could amplify the child’s emotional and behavioural problems.

It is important to explore possible triggers such as losses, stressors, and changes. Issues such as substance abuse and parental conflict may be triggers. Consider nightmares, fears that accompany separation, fear of being alone, and irrational fears and beliefs.

The child needs to attend school. Let the staff know and, together with them, create a plan to manage the child. When dropping off, use positive comments and reaffirming messages such as “mommy, will be at work, but will be here at___”…. And “Everything is the way it is supposed to be.” Do not get caught up in child’s tangential comments or tactics to get you to stay. Be firm and kind with your words, pass child off to staff, and walk away. Your child will rally and will cope once you are gone.

Separation anxiety is normal in young children, however when it interferes with age-appropriate tasks such as attendance, peer interaction or activities, it should be dealt with proactively.

Parents who are reluctant to let their children “go outside”, develop independence, play out without adult supervision, feel anxious/unsafe themselves, will impose anxiety onto their children. This can occur as a result of children feeling as though such activities are seen as unmanageable for their parents. Further, children pick up the message that coping with these stressors is so difficult that avoidance or having a stern set of rules is the only way of managing. This creates a position whereby children are not encouraged to develop skills to manage and cope with risk on their own.

(see S. L. Johnson, 2004)

The Mental Health Benefits of Summer Camp

In addition to the sheer joy of attending summer, camp there are several mental health benefits built into the experience of such outdoor experiences. On so many levels, there is evidence that summer camp promotes social, emotional, physical and intellectual growth. The camp experience offers new social opportunities, situations that foster the development of life skills, confidence, courage, and success in trying new things. Camp offers exposure to new activities and thus an introduction to potential interests or recreational outlets. The predictable, structured environment of summer camp offers opportunity to live with in a group, form productive relationships, recognize benefits of good choices and experiences consequences to poor choices. Reconnecting children to humanity and the planet through outdoor education provides a chance for children to rejuvenate themselves. On a spiritual level camp brings rest and relaxation that a busy soul requires to remain stable.




Several research endeavours have demonstrated the significant benefits of camp. In his paper, Social Justice Summer Camp: Critical Pedagogy in Action, Jim Shee(M.Ed) found that camps can assist in the development of citizenship and hope, and work toward the development of personal agency, creating a society of greater justice, freedom and dignity.



Research completed by Stephen Fine (PhD) demonstrated that camp, or “residential outdoor experiences” (ROE) lead over time to an affirmation of self that is inclusive of society and the environment. He reports that ROEs contribute to the learning of self-concept, self-regulation, self-efficacy, peer teaching, cooperation, team building, modeling, celebration of social-cultural diversity, and respect for the environment. Fine found that these lessons have been shown to transfer successfully to later life situations, making camp a long term beneficial experience for children of all ages. Fine’s article is titled “Contextual Learning within the ROE: A Case Study of a Summer Camp in Ontario” and can be found by googling his name or by visiting the Ontario Camping Association website.



Finally, PhD candidate Gaven Watson of Toronto, Ontario found that summer camp and environmental education significantly facilitate and assist in developing campers’ relationships with nature. As several children’s mental health professionals have come to report, nature works to settle and ground children in their world.



Consider sending your children to camp. There are several options with various cost points both in Canada and the US. There are also several organizations which work to financially support children to attend at camps all over the country. Visit the Ontario Camp Association for more information.

The debate about Parental Alienation Syndrome

The following link to CBC's the Current (may 17, 2011) provides some interesting up to date information on the issue of parental alienation syndrome - a set of symptoms which feuding parents impart on their children.

http://www.cbc.ca/video/radio-popup.html#networkKey=cbc_radio_one&programKey=calgary

Happy listening.
SHC