When anxiety becomes an enormous family problem, it often slowly but surely infiltrates the family system. When one person suffers from anxiety, it starts to seep out and effect other family members.
The good thing about knowing how anxiety works is that families can be empowered do something about it.
The first step is to first acknowledge when anxiety is an enormous family problem. Without this recognition, you won’t be able to make the changes you want. In particular, parents will need to see just how anxiety is showing up for each family member.
With his awareness, families can start to recognize just how much anxiety is bossing them around. When anxiety is present, family members feel like they are walking on egg shells all the time and need to move quickly. Families also feel like there are a lot of rules about what they can and cannot do when anxiety is in charge.
When families recognize how anxiety is bossing them around, then they can decide what they want to do about it. Talking back to anxiety, using rational thinking, and working as a team are great ways to help combat anxiety.
In addition, understanding the difference between what the person with anxiety actually wants versus what anxiety is telling everyone to do will help you understand when to stand up to the anxiety.
Case Example: When Anxiety Becomes an Enormous Family Problem
For example, let’s say there is a kid who has a fear of being late to school. The kid’s anxiety might start to tell the family that it’s time to get in the car 10 minutes before you actually need to. The kid with anxiety might start to yell when people aren’t moving towards the car. Eventually, the kid with anxiety might start to stalk people in the house ushering them towards the door. The kid with anxiety might even start to fight with their sibling because their sibling doesn’t have their shoes on yet. Pretty soon, parents are yelling at the sibling to get their shoes one because they need to go and their sister is freaking out. But the catch is, there is still 10 minutes before you actually need to leave and 30 minutes before they need to be at school.
If this example sounds familiar to you, then anxiety might be infiltrating your family system. The great news is, there are many tools and strategies to help families take control away from the anxiety and put themselves back in charge.
Wise Girl Workshops offers many parenting and kid workshops to help families get on track to living well despite anxiety.
