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Advice on how to deal with extreme anxiety in young child ?

Vicki

Really need advice my son is 5 on the waiting list for diagnosis for autism but I also suspect adhd but since Friday very suddenly he has developed a fear of everything. Pieces of fluff from clothing and the carpet, bugs , any type of noise tonight a meltdown has started because he heard a creak while in the bathroom and he was screaming and holding on to me and his sister like he was genuinely terrified. He was shaking and histerical screaming, shaking and sweating and him screaming  I’m scared over and over. I’ve tried breathing techniques and showing him there is nothing scary, tried to distract him with games and toys but as soon as I leave the room he will start again. He is very obviously tired and refuses to lie down because he’s now scared of his bed. I just don’t know how to help him Weary it’s stressing me out as I also have an 8 month old and his 2 older siblings are getting annoyed and frustrated with the screaming.

Parents

  • I think it has started with a fear of bugs, mostly flying insects and I think the fluff made him think it was a bug he had a similar meltdown on Friday where he was fixated on the floor and refused to walk on the floor or go anywhere without anyone else. He’s even refusing to go to bathroom alone. I’m really struggling with finding advice. He is still in nursery as he was deferred a year but he has similar issues though not as extreme as he has been having at home recently.

  • in reply to Vicki

    You are probably correct, and that has spirialed so now he is anxious generally so sudden or unusual noises might trigger him.

    You might want to show him that bugs are OK by finding ones inside or out to look at, or watch youtube videos of people holding insects.  Old school thing was to find an insect outdoors and put in a jar and take it indoors, have a look at it.

    CREEPY crawly >> interesting creature

    Nearly all UK insects are harmless to humans, yes wasps/hornets/beeps can sting but its rare, and acting calm around them is the best way to deal with them.  

Reply
  • in reply to Vicki

    You are probably correct, and that has spirialed so now he is anxious generally so sudden or unusual noises might trigger him.

    You might want to show him that bugs are OK by finding ones inside or out to look at, or watch youtube videos of people holding insects.  Old school thing was to find an insect outdoors and put in a jar and take it indoors, have a look at it.

    CREEPY crawly >> interesting creature

    Nearly all UK insects are harmless to humans, yes wasps/hornets/beeps can sting but its rare, and acting calm around them is the best way to deal with them.  

Children
  • in reply to Vicki

    He may need time each day in a space without triggers.  He might find school too much if easily triggered or too anxious, but he may learn to cope better as time goes by.

  • in reply to Autimator

    Thank you i bought some toy bugs and a book about bugs and he seems fine with that but it he sees a bee outside he will start to freak out I try to explain bees are looking for flowers so they can take the pollen to their hive to make honey but he is still extremely frightened. They tried to do a bug hunt at nursery which didn’t end well they said. He’s now afraid of everything even the cat who we have had since before he was born she walked past him this morning and he started shouting im scared. I’m just concerned now that he’s been assessed as suitable for mainstream school that if he does go he will be like this in class And end up disrupting the class.