The Worried Child: Recognizing Anxiety in Children and Helping Them Heal [Paperback]

Ph.D. Paul Foxman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 16, 2004

Anxiety in children decreases their intellectual, emotional, and social development, as well as physical health. Author Paul Foxman believes there are three interacting ingredients that contribute to anxiety in children — biological sensitivity, personality, and stress overload. The Worried Child shows that anxiety is preventable — or can be minimized — by raising children’s self-confidence, increasing social and self-control skills, and teaching them how to play, relax, and communicate their feelings and needs. Written for parents and teachers and anyone dealing with children, the guide covers the importance of adequate rest, sleep, and exercise and provides detailed lists, charts, skill exercises, sample dialogues, and case studies. It also presents extensive information on the various types and symptoms of anxiety disorders. Advice for educators, health care professionals, childcare workers, and psychotherapists is included along with a chapter and tutorial written specifically for children.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Psychologist Foxman (Dancing with Fear) has penned a caring yet straightforward book about helping kids deal with feelings of angst. Noting that one in five children suffers from a mental health problem, Foxman says some experts call today's children the "shell-shocked" generation. Divorce, crime, violence, failing schools, the threat of terrorism and drug abuse are a few of the contemporary issues often magnified for kids by vivid media coverage, and they've contributed to the rise of stress and anxiety among children, says Foxman. The author, who suffered from anxiety as a child and as an adult, melds personal and professional experience as he differentiates between normal and abnormal worrying (the latter involves a degree and frequency that interferes with daily routines). According to Foxman, three factors coincide to create an anxious child: biological sensitivity, personality and stress. Children who are perfectionists, who are overly sensitive to criticism and have difficulty with assertiveness, among other traits, are prone to anxiety, though many of the worried child's personality traits, such as intelligence and a strong sense of responsibility, are positive. In addition to global issues such as war, terrorism and violence, Foxman delves into how personal crises (e.g., divorce, sexual abuse and school-related stress) can affect children, and suggests how parents can help and when they should seek therapy for their child. He rounds out this informative guide with a chapter for children that speaks directly to young readers.
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Review

A deeply insightful look into the minds of today's children. -- Jenna Glatzer, author Conquering Panic & Anxiety Disorders

I recommend this book to everyone who cares about children. It provides powerful, specific suggestions for...reducing stress and anxiety. -- John R. Pullen, Ph.D., National Director, Center for Help for Anxiety and Agoraphobia through New Growth Experiences

Practical, reassuring advice to help parents, teachers, and other caring adults address this common, but treatable, childhood condition. -- David Fassler, M.D., Dept. of Psychiatry University of Vermont

This book involves one of the most critical issues facing us today, and it fills a great need. -- Joseph Chilton Pearce, author Magical Child

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Hunter House; 1 edition (January 16, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0897934202
• ISBN-13: 978-0897934206
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #208,483 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #37 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Exercise & Fitness > Pregnancy

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A comprehensive book on childhood/adolescent anxiety, February 28, 2004

By 

Evelyn Goodman "psychotherapist" (West Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Worried Child: Recognizing Anxiety in Children and Helping Them Heal (Paperback)

In this book Paul Foxman, Ph.D., an expert in anxiety disorders
and treatment, has written a very comprehensive understanding of
childhood and adolescent anxiety and what can be done to help.
His approach is wholistic, taking into account genetic predisposition and temperament, personality traits, and the
environment, and explaining how these factors interact in the
anxious/worried child. The book demonstrates how the treatment
also includes focusing on these variables. Dr. Foxman goes one
step further and discusses the unique challenges of parenting in our time, including some of his own experiences as a parent.
A multitude of useful resources are cited at the end. I most
highly recommend this book to parents, pediatricians, and mental health providers.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Over-Hyped Book, May 9, 2007

By 

Suburban Mommy - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Worried Child: Recognizing Anxiety in Children and Helping Them Heal (Paperback)

I was not impressed by this book that was recommended to me by several mental health professionals, including the social worker at my daughter's school. I wanted to understand anxiety disorders better and I was underwhelmed by what this book had to offer and had a hard time making connections with the material. I would recommend "Freeing Your Child From Anxiety" over this book. I felt I walked away from that book with actual tools to put into practice to help deal with her anxiety better. I felt this book talked about the disorder but didn't really give me anything I could take back and use with her.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read For Todays Parent, February 23, 2008

By 

Kathleen Wagner (SWPA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Worried Child: Recognizing Anxiety in Children and Helping Them Heal (Paperback)

How do I know if my child is worried or anxious?
What causes a child to worry or become anxious?
How can I talk to her about the problem?
What resources are there for us?

These and many other questions will be answered in the book The Worried Child by Paul Foxman PHD.

Dr Foxman takes a gentle and common sense approach to helping the child and the family in this situation. He explains that there are many things that can cause stress and anxiety for a child, and discusses the impact it has on their daily lives and well being.

He explains the difference between the normal every day stress and worry a child might feel and when it crosses the line to become a disorder that needs to be reckoned with. He presents information on how to recognize if your child is showing symptoms of anxiety. Issues from home life to school to the possible sexual abuse are addressed in these pages. disorders from Generalized Anxiety to OCD, Panic and Seperation anxiety explained. There is imformation on conflict resolution, which can be so important, not just for our children, but for ourselves.

All types of therapy are discussed, from conventional "talk therapy" to medications, and alternatives such as herbals, flower remedies and homeopathy. No matter what your personal philosophy of treatment might be, this book will help you along the way. The importance of good nutrition, and relaxation is emphasized.

From the birth, to the child in college. Fears and stressors are discussed and possible solutions for allaying them are suggested. The important matter of bonding is addressed. Not just bonding with the child before and at birth, but staying connected with her throughout the years.

This is a wonderful handbook for anyone with a child of any age. It gives calm and reassuring suggestions on how to handle those bumps in the road that we all face at some times or another. I highly recommend this to anyone who has or works with a child of any age.