anxiety in my 9yo (x-posted in Mental Health)

[coleslaw]

My dd has always been on the anxious side, even as a baby. She has never been a good sleeper, but now nightmares invade her sleep and have been for a couple of years now, at least, which keep us from getting a good night's sleep as well. Minus a therapist (which we've tried unsuccessfully), does anyone have suggestions on how to deal with this? I'm up for anything, auromatherapy, chiropractic help, anything! My husband is out with her right now getting an alarm for her windows, so hopefully, she won't be scared of a robber breaking in - one of her big fears. HELP!!

[LynnS6]

There's a great book called: Freeing Your Child From Anxiety that you should read.

There's also a decent kids' book called: What to do when you worry too much: A kid's guide to overcoming anxiety.

I would also recommend that you try counseling again. She's old enough that some form of cognitive behavioral therapy should work. And, she's close enough to entering puberty that the hormones will make anxiety worse. I would interview 2-3 people to see if you can find a good fit for your daughter. Maybe someone who specializes in adolescent girls (even though she's not quite an adolescent) would help.

[coleslaw]

Thanks Lynn for the book recommendations. Regarding therapists, I did that last time and was sorely disappointed. I'm not saying I won't try again, but that's what happened before. I've been disppointed in therapists forme also. Maybe it's me and my ability to find a good therapist?

Well, I'm not sure if she was just so tired from the night before (up 1-4am because the rain sounded like footsteps), but we set up the window alarms and she slept through the night, not waking up - or waking us up, once. Very cautiously optomistic.

[mamababamba]

Thanks for the discussion and recommendations. My ds is 8.5 and a worrier, but more generalized I guess. He goes to a play group at school with the school therapist and that has been helpful. Also his preschool teacher had me tell stories similar to things he was working on in his worries but with animal characters so the problems were thinly disguised. This worked really well then, I am not sure now but might still be worth a try.