Social anxiety | Imamother

amother

OP ↓

Sun, Oct 06 2024, 7:31 pm

How can I help ds? He's 6 and has terrible anxiety in social situations. He refuses to go to shul and whenever he does go, like when he came on rosh Hashanah to shofar with me he didn't move an inch away from me. He does the same at simchas, he stays at my or dh's side and doesn't leave for a second. He's fine in school or with the neighborhood kids, but any time it's an official even he gets very anxious about socializing. Any tips or ideas?

amother

↑ OP

Sun, Oct 06 2024, 7:45 pm

I once asked a therapist if this needed therapy, it was at a shabbos program that had a q&a with a therapist, and I was answered that as long as he has friends and is comfortable with kids his own age then there's no need for therapy. Because it was at a panel I couldn't follow up for more information.

amother

Turquoise ↓

Sun, Oct 06 2024, 7:50 pm

This probably isn't the kind of advice you're looking for, but a few of my kids had social anxiety and what helped them the most was magnesium, a b complex, homeopathy and treating chronic strep.

I'm sure his anxiety shows up in other areas. Treating it on a body level helps with all the different forms by supporting his nervous system.

amother

Cyclamen

Sun, Oct 06 2024, 7:52 pm

amother OP wrote:

How does that make sense? Anxious children turn into anxious adults who can barely hold down a job and care for their families. The best thing you can do is get him therapy where he can learn the skills to conquer it at this young age. It’s easiest to conquer at such a young age.

amother

Antiquewhite ↓

Wed, Nov 06 2024, 9:36 am

amother Turquoise wrote:

How did you diagnose the chronic strep and how did you treat it?

amother

Geranium ↓

Wed, Nov 06 2024, 9:38 am

amother Turquoise wrote:

can you link what you gave them? having similar issues with my ds.

amother

↑ Geranium

Wed, Nov 06 2024, 9:39 am

amother OP wrote:

ds6 is exactly the same way but I didn't think of it as terrible anxiety. Just that he's maybe a little shy. He has friends at school and in the neighborhood. How is your son when he meets friends at shul or when you're out? My son will whisper to me that he knows them but barely opens his mouth and seems to clam up when they talk to him. I'm hoping he'll grow out of it.

amother

↑ Turquoise ↓

Wed, Nov 06 2024, 9:42 am

amother Antiquewhite wrote:

How did you diagnose the chronic strep and how did you treat it?

DC had chronically enlarged tonsils and very high strep titers. We treated with a combination of long term abx and herbs.

amother

↑ Turquoise ↓

Wed, Nov 06 2024, 9:45 am

amother Geranium wrote:

can you link what you gave them? having similar issues with my ds.

B complex https://www.objectivenutrients.....vite/

Magnesium https://www.iherb.com/pr/jigsa.....EisQc

Herbs for strep https://woodlandessence.com/pr.....erite

Homeopathy under the guidance of a constitutional homeopath to match all symptoms and behaviors

amother

Peony

Wed, Nov 06 2024, 11:01 am

Started therapy for social anxiety about that age. she's a teen now. She became very social but now she has other fears . 9 sent to therapy . 8 year old did aba therapy with. Aba much better. Aba was done mostly in the school setting. The 9 year old started out with a school social worker and then continue at a clinic.

amother

↑ Antiquewhite

Wed, Nov 06 2024, 3:05 pm

amother Turquoise wrote:

Thanks!
How do you get a child too young to swallow pills to take it?

amother

NeonOrange

Wed, Nov 06 2024, 3:57 pm

Dont put him in many situations like that. Talk about it beforehand. Also.. did sth happen? Was it always like that?
My daughter hates being touched by people or strangers talking to her. Sometimes kids have no boundaries and touch in the face or the hair also elderly people "you are adorable!!!" I am very clear about that now "she doesnt like to be touched" "please give her space". It helped her very much to know I am supporting her. She can also signal me when its time to go.

amother

↑ Turquoise

Wed, Nov 06 2024, 4:17 pm

amother Antiquewhite wrote:

Thanks!
How do you get a child too young to swallow pills to take it?

I teach my kids to swallow pills at 4. Otherwise what I find works well is strawberry applesauce in a pouch, squeeze some onto a spoon, open capsule onto that, cover with another layer of applesauce squeezed over it, take in one gulp, chase with more applesauce.
People use chocolate syrup and ice cream too.

There are liquid options for b complex and magnesium too. That can be mixed into juice.