I'm attending a cognitive behaviour therapy group with my child to learn how to help with her anxiety. The child group runs at the same time as the parent group and there's some link up between the two towards the end of each session. We're seeing some advances in the first few weeks and we'll see how the remainder goes. They focus on hierarchies and exposures to counter the negative thoughts and feelings.
Her psychologist says that the things she's anxious about now will serve her well as an adult but for a 10 year old it causes issues. There are additional things thrown in there such as gender identity issues and her parents separating but her personality and temperament makes her prone to general anxiety disorder.
She's a pretty regular 10 year old with regards to her interests. She likes video games, sports, Lego, reading, crafts and stuff. She does tend towards "boy" things which has almost always been her way and it makes sense given her gender identity issues. For a while she was recognised as a boy by me, her sister, most her friends and at her school but she has reverted to being known by her birth name in the past couple of months. Whether that lasts is anyone's guess. Her anxiety primarily manifests around her mother with glimpses of it when with me. Her psychologist says that is pretty normal in these situations. We're focusing on helping her negative thinking and there are signs she's responding. She's an amazing child going through some hard times. My other daughter has flashes of of anxiety but is mostly care free. I call them mythic beings because they truly are wondrous kids.
It's a long road for all of us but we'll get there. Loving and supporting them both in whichever decisions and and through whatever hardships is all I can do.
Thank you. I believe my kids will change the world. Each in their own unique manner but they will have an impact.
There doesn't seem to be any other underlying issues with her but she is a child of surprises so I never say never. The CBT group and the psychologist will certainly pick up on anything they have concerns about.
She will deal with her anxiety and she'll cope with the separation of her parents but the main thing I want for her is to be herself. If she stays a she, becomes a he or chooses to be gender neutral, all I can ask is she's happy, safe and, most importantly, it is her decision.
I'm attending a cognitive behaviour therapy group with my child to learn how to help with her anxiety. The child group runs at the same time as the parent group and there's some link up between the two towards the end of each session. We're seeing some advances in the first few weeks and we'll see how the remainder goes. They focus on hierarchies and exposures to counter the negative thoughts and feelings.
Her psychologist says that the things she's anxious about now will serve her well as an adult but for a 10 year old it causes issues. There are additional things thrown in there such as gender identity issues and her parents separating but her personality and temperament makes her prone to general anxiety disorder.
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