Anxiety, Fears & Worries

Anxiety and fear can paralyze the best of us. For children or adults who have experienced trauma, or those who experience brain differences that impact how they interact safely with the world, anxiety and fear can balloon overwhelmingly big. Fortunately, the brain science shows that with tools, practice and support we can help ourselves, and others. Please reference our Bullying Mental Health, Mindfulness, Neurofeedback, Play, Sleep, and Trauma pages for more resources.

Infographic courtesy of NICABM

"Almost every mental health problem—anxiety, depression, eating disorders, personality disorders, thinking disorders—are issues of self-regulation...Ultimately the goal of therapy is to optimize the coordinated flow of energy and information." ~Dan Siegel, Psychotherapy Networker magazine - author in ORPARC's library

Websites

Anxiety and Depression Association of America
CDC - Anxiety and Depression
Change to Chill - mental health for youth & en español
Child Mind Institute: Anxiety & en español
Impact Parents & Impact Anxiety - many articles and resources!
Meg Foundation - pain management for kids of all ages
NHS - Anxiety Disorders in Children
Worry Wise Kids

Recommended Books & Articles

Anxiety-related materials in ORPARC's library

The Anatomy of Anxiety by John DeGarmo, Foster Focus Magazine - author in ORPARC's library
Anxiety is Not the Problem by Dr. Luana Marques
Anxious Stomach Aches & Headaches by Caroline Miller et al, Child Mind Institute and en español
The Bedtime Narrative for Kids Who Struggle With Sleep Anxiety by Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker - author in ORPARC's library
Children and Anxiety by Psychology Today
Empowering Your Anxious Child by The Brain Building Book - many resources & authors in ORPARC's library
A Four Step Approach for Overcoming Anxiety (infographic) and Working With Anxiety (article) by NICABM
From Stuck & Suicidal to Feeling Safe and in Control by Jessica Sinarski - author in ORPARC's library
Helping Your Foster Child Cope with Anxiety by TFI
How Childhood Trauma Relates to Present-Day Anxiety and Panic by Dr. Vassilia Binensztok
How to Help Adopted Kids Deal with Separation Anxiety by Mom Wife Busy Life
How to Help Children Manage Fears by Rae Jacobson, Child Mind Institute and en español
How to Help Kids Worried About 'Bad Thoughts' by Caroline Miller & Dr. Jerry Bubrick, Child Mind Institute and en español
How to Stop Anxiety by PsychAlive
Mending a Broken Heart: Anxiety in the Adopted Child by Rainbow Kids
Neurofeedback - an ORPARC Resource page
Phobias & Fears in Children by Hey Sigmund
Sculpting a Less Anxious Brain by Kathleen Smith, LPC
What Anxious and Angry Kids Need to Know About Their Brain by Imperfect Families
What to Do (and Not Do) When Children are Anxious by Dr. Clark Golstein, Child Mind Institute and en español

For kids

Coping with Anxiety by Childline
Slumberkins books in ORPARC's library, Resources & Printables
- Confidence, Emotional Courage, Growth Mindset & Stress Release
Young Minds and Anxiety - short articles & videos for youth

Culturally-specific

Anxiety: What It Is & How If Affects the Black Community by Black Health Matters
The “Busy” Trap: Dr. Jenny Wang on Navigating Anxiety, Anger, & Uncertainty by Thrive Spice (transcript + podcast)
Depression and Anxiety among Latinos: Urgent Call for Mental Health Services by Latino Center for Health
The Link Between Experiences of Racism and Stress & Anxiety for Black Americans by Dr. Jessica Graham-LoPresti
Native American spirituality shows promise in protecting against anxiety’s cognitive strain by Eric Dolan
Qué Nervios: Being Latina & Dealing with Anxiety by Dr. Karen Martínez
Viewing Anxiety Through the Lens of Asian Culture by Mohammad Amaan Siddiqui, Diya Menon & Sakina Bharmal

Videos & Podcasts

A Better Way to Worry by Hidden Brain (podcast)
Connecting to Calm by Dan Siegel (video)
Easing Anxiety by MereAnn Reid (video)
Helping Your Child Cope with Living in a Scary World with Dr. Melissa Goldberg Mintz - free course courtesy of Jockey
Insecure Anxious Attachment: A Closer Look by Robyn Gobbel - author in ORPARC's library (article + podcast)
NICABM (videos)
- The Neuroscience of Mindfulness & Fear with Dr. Tara Brach
- Working With the Body To Release Anxiety by Dr. Pat Odgen
- Working With Chronic Fear in the Body with Dr. Peter Levine
Let's Talk About Your Brain & Anxiety by Kimberly Quinlan (article + podcast)
Managing Stress & Anxiety by Childline - for kids (articles + video)
Power & Control - Perfectionism & Anxiety by Dr. Denis' Thomas (article + podcast)
Speaking of Psychology Podcasts on Anxiety
- Anxiety & Teen Girls with Dr. Lisa D'Amour (podcast, video & transcript)
- What is Anxiety and How Can We Treat it Effectively with Dr. Bunmi Olatunji (podcast, video & transcript)
What Are The Different Kinds of Anxiety? by Dr. Dave Anderson, Child Mind Institute (video)
Worry Wise Library (many!) by Tamar Chansky - author in ORPARC's library (videos)

Featured Favorites!

With kind thanks to Generation PMTO, When the World Feels Like a Scary Place: Essential Conversations for Worried Parents & Anxious Children by Dr. Abigail Gewirtz

Superpowered: Transform Anxiety into Courage, Confidence, and Resilience by Renee Jain

Mindful Bea and the Worry Tree by Gail Silver

Please Explain Anxiety to Me!: Simple Biology and Solutions for Children and Parents by Laurie E. Zelinger

Anxiety . . . I'm So Done with You: A Teen's Guide to Ditching Toxic Stress and Hardwiring Your Brain for Happiness by Jodi Aman

Anxiety Relief for Kids: On-the-Spot Strategies by Bridget Flynn Walker PhD

When My Worries Get Too Big: A Relaxation Book for Children Who Live with Anxiety by Kari Dunn Buron