The post Emily’s Essay first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.

Maya was a typical elementary school student. She had a several friends, enjoyed going to school and spent two nights a week at the dance studio. Unfortunately, as the years passed, school shootings became a more common occurrence. Intruder drills had to be practiced and teachers regularly spoke with students to prepare for the worst.  These experiences overwhelmed Maya. School was supposed to be a place where she felt safe and it had quickly become the opposite.

Fortunately, Maya’s parents noticed the shift in her behavior and sought help from LFCS. Watch their story below.

Anxiety disorders affect 1 in 8 children.

If your child is struggling with anxiety or depression, let us help! Contact us today to set up a consultation.

The post Childhood Gripped by Anxiety first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.

Until this year, Ethan was one of the latter. His days at school were full of fear and anxiety. He cried almost daily, feeling like he didn’t fit in and no one liked him. The beginning of the school year was especially difficult. Summer break had given him just enough time to let go of his anxieties before having to face them all again.

After one particularly difficult day in the beginning of 6^th grade, Ethan’s teacher referred him to LFCS for counseling. His parents agreed that he needed additional support in order to be successful in and out of the classroom. Although reluctant to talk to a stranger about his feelings, Ethan agreed.

Weeks passed without much progress. It was difficult for Ethan to put his feelings into words. A breakthrough came when the counselor asked Ethan about his friends. Ethan broke down. “I don’t have any friends,” he said. “No one likes me.” Tears rolled down his cheeks.

The sessions that followed were life-changing for Ethan. He and his counselor talked about the traits of a good friend. They drew pictures and created word clouds about friendship. Ethan’s therapist also incorporated roll play into their sessions so he could experience positive social exchanges. Soon, Ethan gained confidence. He starting applying his newly learned skills when talking to classmates. To his surprise, his interactions were positive and with each conversation Ethan’s fears were replaced with assurance.

Today, Ethan is excited and ready for school to start again. He will be in 8^th grade; a bright, friendly, funny, and well-liked young man. He spends his weekends talking, texting and playing video games with his friends – the boys Ethan once thought couldn’t stand to be around him.

If someone you love is struggling with anxiety or depression, they are not alone. In the United States, 8% of children aged 3-17 years have diagnosed anxiety. Contact LFCS today to make an appointment with a licensed counselor or to learn more about treatment options.

The post School Starts Soon first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.

Joel’s history teacher was concerned. In recent months, he had missed days of school and when he was in class, Joel seemed on edge and disinterested in classroom activities. The previous semester, Joel had been very engaged and had even shared his hopes to attend college to study ancient history. “What happened?” Joel’s teacher thought.

The school counselor was notified and after a conference call with Joel’s father, they all agreed Joel needed to talk to someone. The school counselor recommended Lutheran Family and Children’s Services (LFCS) in addition to regular meetings at school.

Joel began meeting with his LFCS therapist weekly. As their relationship developed, his therapist discovered that Joel’s behavior-changes began when he learned about his father’s drug use and criminal activities. This knowledge overwhelmed Joel with fear and anxiety.

A hotline call was made, and following an investigation, Joel’s father was arrested. His grandparents welcomed him into their home, providing Joel with stability and safety he hadn’t felt in nearly a year.  With prescribed mediation and the implementation of communication and coping skills he learned in counseling, Joel’s anxiety and depression were under control.  He soon began to flourish in his new school and environment.

Now 16 years old and driving, Joel feels like he is right where he needs to be.  He passed all of his classes last year and is starting to look at nearby colleges.

The post Promise of Childhood first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders affect one in eight children. However, there are many different types of anxiety disorders and children are affected in different ways. Common childhood anxiety disorders include: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Separation Anxiety, Social Anxiety, and Specific Phobias. You can find out more about each one of these disorders and how it affects children at www.adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/children/childhood-anxiety-disorders.

With proper support and treatment, children can learn to better manage their anxiety and lead healthy and successful lives. Therapy, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy, and medication have both been shown to be helpful with children with anxiety disorders. Early identification and treatment can help prevent future difficulties for your child and give them needed tools to reach their full academic and social potential. For more information, please visit the Anxiety and Depression Association of America or the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

The post Anxiety in Children first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.