It’s that time of the year – when children may experience back to school anxiety about starting a new grade. Some kids may even be starting a new school or beginning school for the first time. Parents or guardians may be looking for ways to help reduce that anxiety. Homeopathy treats back-to-school anxiety very effectively through nutrition, medicines, and talking.
Nutrition
First of all, it’s important a child has reduced sugar intake, especially during anxious times. Anxiety makes the adrenals work as it causes high production of adrenaline and cortisol. These glands also have to work hard with a high sugar intake, so frequent sources of protein are important in taking the load off adrenal glands and balancing blood sugar.
The following vitamins are also very helpful in treating anxiety:
Vitamin C – supports the adrenal glands.
B Vitamins – very important for the nervous system.
Magnesium – helps a child be calm at night for restful sleep and is important for many systems in the body.
Medicines
Homeopathic medicines can be very effective for back-to-school anxiety and they are also perfect to use with other types of anxiety that may be associated with going to a doctor or dentist appointment.
Aconite – Used when a child is very fearful and is restless. There may be a scared expression and trouble sitting still.
Argentum Nitricum – Used when a child has an anticipatory anxiety and feels very nervous. They are likely to have diarrhea and flatulence with the anxiety.
Arsenicum Album – Used when a child is very restless and insecure with their anxiety. They may show a degree of exhaustion but you know this fatigue has an emotional basis and is linked to anxiety.
Calcarea Carbonica – Used when a child is happy and easy-going for the most part, but can get very anxious and worry about small things when there is time to think.
Calcarea Phosphorica – Used when a child has headaches and/or tummy aches that prevent them from going. They may deny that there is anything wrong at school but they have the convenient ‘illness’ that allows them to stay at home. This is often times used for younger children.
Gelsemium – Used when a child feels weak and cowardly right before an event like a first day or exam because they feel the task ahead is too much to handle. Gelsemium should also be tried first before other homeopathic medicines when a child’s anxiety symptoms are hard to define.
Lycopodium – Used when a child is fearful about failing but covers it by looking overly confident on the outside. Performance is great but the child suffers extreme anxiety on the inside.
Pulsatilla – Used when a child tends to be very clingy, sensitive and highly emotional, needing lots of affection and support during times of change.
IMPORTANT: An experienced homeopath should be consulted for proper dosing.
Talking
A parent or guardian can help reduce a child’s anxiety by talking in the following ways:
Reassuring – Letting a child know that anxiety is normal will, in itself, help reduce anxiety.
Reflecting – This is done by observing a child and relaying the observations to open up conversation. A good way to do this is by saying something like “I could tell there was some anxiety when you were getting ready for school….is there anything in particular you are worried about?”
Validating – Explaining that anxiety is temporary and will get better will help a child realize that there is hope in overcoming the anxiety.
Showing Love – Making a child feel loved is the best provision a parent can provide that will help alleviate anxious feelings.