Anxiety and The Gifted:Definitions and Characteristics

What is anxiety?What might it look like/sound like?

Denying that there’s a problem Becoming or seeming emotionally numb Playing more aggressively Frequently re-creating traumatic situations Avoiding new situations Developing bodily symptoms such as pains, aches

Inner experience or reaction to outside events

J. Crist, 2004

Additional Issues…

Dabrowski’s Emotional Overexcitability: What it means…Intensity of emotion, a very broad range of emotions. How it feels…Body is a mirror of emotions and feelings Strong affective memory Fear and Anxiety

Asynchrony: What it means…Uneven development in different domains How it feels…Being out of sync Heightened emotions and awareness, vulnerability Developmental and psychological differences from the norm

Perfectionism: What it means…Dissatisfaction with anything that is not perfect or does

not meet exceedingly high standards How it feels…Worry, fear, anxiety, anger Focus on perfection, not excellence All or nothing

Spotting the Signs of Anxiety…

Your child just feels worried and doesn’t know why

Difficulty concentratingDifficulty controlling the worry or anxietyPersistent worrying about the same issues

and/or new worries with each new day

Physical Manifestations of Anxiety

Fidgety or restless Tired easily, even when had enough sleepStomach issues Irritable or crankyMuscles are tense, tight: can’t relaxTrouble falling asleep or staying asleep What others have you noticed in your child?

J. Crist, 2004

Fear Chasers and Worry Erasers

“Get Real” about the fears and worriesFlip the switch from negative to positive Get mind off of the worriesGet active Be aware of what to eatPractice deep breathing and visualizationRelax those musclesWrite or draw about your feelingsTell others what you learned about yourselfBibliotherapy

Longer Term Strategies

Coping Strategies: Build Life Skills Evaluate root causes; talk about it Evaluate when anxiety strikes Set a goal; Practice a strategy Reflect on the effectiveness; determine next steps

Work on building resiliency (Maureen Neihart) Compassion for others Sense of Humor Persistence/Tenacity Moral Pride Respectful Manner Attention for positive behaviors (praise effort, not outcome) Planning Ahead (anticipating difficulties) Problem Solving (reflecting on process) Independence/Autonomy Positive Outlook Internal Locus of Control Talent/Hobby Development Flexibility about traditional gender specific behaviors/roles

S T E P 1 : C L E A R LY D E F I N E T H E P R O B L E M .

S T E P 2 : B R A I N S T O R M AT L E A S T 4 D I F F E R E N T S O LU T I O N S T O T H E P R O B L E M .

S T E P 3 : E VA LU AT E T H E D I F F E R E N T S O LU T I O N S .

S T E P 4 : P U T T H E B E S T S O LU T I O N I N T O A C T I O N.

S T E P 5 : R E WA R D Y O U R S E L F F O R T R Y I N G A N E W S O LU T I O N T H AT W O R K E D ( I F Y O U T RY S O M E T H I N G T H AT D O E S N ’ T W O R K , G O B A C K S T E P 2 A N D T H I N K O F A D D I T I O N A L C H O I C E S … M O V E A H E A D F R O M T H E R E ) .

Five Steps to Problem Solving: Let’s Practice!

Final Thoughts…

Give lots of encouragementSet an example for handling situations without

anxietyLet your child know it’s okay to express feelings Be a coachHelp facilitate discussions and problem solvingRole Playing can serve as rehearsal for the real dealSome worries that seem “insurmountable” are

common to the human experience…help kids understand they are not alone.

J. Crist , 2004