How to help kids with anxiety, according to a psychologist

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force in April issued guidance that all children and teens ages 8 to 18 years old should be screened for anxiety. Jamie Howard, senior clinical psychologist from the Child Mind Institute, joins "CBS Mornings" to share her tips on helping kids and teenagers with anxiety.

Each weekday morning, "CBS Mornings” co-hosts Gayle King, Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson bring you the latest breaking news, smart conversation and in-depth feature reporting. "CBS Mornings" airs weekdays at 7 a.m. on CBS and stream it at 8 a.m. ET on the CBS News app.

[-Reagan]

Since this gave zero advice, I will at least say something. I don’t know your child, but talking through the issue, find out what they feel and why and then come up with solutions to deal with it, that encourage her.
Encourage your child to be around people - in gatherings and places that feel secure to them. If it seems to be nowhere outside the home, then take them to a movie they want to see, or to the beach, or anywhere outside. Being near people and being outside the comfort zone is just as good to start with.
Don’t make personal remarks about your child in public about appearance or behavior (´why are you clinging onto me, go play!´ ´stop worrying about other people’, ´you haven’t combed your hair’, ´stand up straight, don’t slouch’, ‘why are you acting that way?’) - this brings unwanted attention from others and even if they don’t say anything or give looks, when your child already has anxiety that will make them feel like they’re being spanked by you on a lit stage. It’s embarrassing for them. They will associate those feelings with the activities. It reinforces the anxiety AND the behavior you’re trying to overcome. Ignore their faults. I’ll say it again for those who skimmed this: IGNORE THEIR FAULTS AND BEHAVIOR IN PUBLIC. You’ll survive, I promise. If you absolutely need to say something, take them outside/away from earshot OR sight.

Encourage ALL their progress. Pay attention to the small things. If a child with anxiety doesn’t even want you to leave them alone to go to the bathroom, or the other end of the house, then start by singing with them as you go. As long as you hear each other’s voices, you’re safe, right? Take baby steps with a ton of praise. This might take years. Be patient. They’ll turn out in the end, with enough support.
If at all possible, get counseling, with someone THE CHILD LIKES.

Don’t force anything.
Discipline is DEFINITELY NOT A SOLUTION. Pointing out how they could have done better will only reinforce their negative feelings and discourage them.
Children remember and respond better to POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT. Try to find a way to make all your criticisms positive, encouraging and couch criticism with saying what you APPRECIATE and what they’re doing GOOD.

[debrahelmlinger]

What has this country, anxiety in 6 year old children? Grew up in the 60's and 70's, patents divorced, very little money but I lived my life as a kid.

[decker]

I completely agree. I'm 50 and I've had anxiety since I was a little girl. Sadly, there was no help or even being diagnosed back then. Mine became really bad when I was 10 and never went away. I didn't get help with it until about 10 years ago. It really has made a difference.

[yvonneksheherhers]

Loved this segment. Really insightful.

[LukeJ]

As a parent, I know you can't give your child advice if that's not what you do! Example tell your kid never to smoke but you smoke every day ! Tell your kid not to drink when they grew up seeing alcohol in your mini fridge! You can't give what you don't have! It's better to teach with your life than your mouth!!!
For me I do have different beliefs why this problems are becoming unsolvable by human wisdom.

[taubevictor]

Yell at them to go outside...
And stop playing with the iPads.
Next clip

[-Reagan]

I really wish they’d let her talk about working through the issues. This video was rendered useless for those who are actually going to watch it - those who want to help their children. She was only allowed to explain what anxiety in children is, but give no advice, except ‘what I do in counseling to determine how the child feels’.
If a parent is involved, they know when it’s interfering in their child’s lives - and often the child’s behavior will be an interference Bc you have to work through these issues just to get anything done - they literally interfere with your life. It’s not ´I wonder if she likes me...’