High functioning anxiety is like the sneaky ninja of mental health—quietly working behind the scenes while you keep everything looking picture-perfect on the outside. Now, imagine being a teenager and dealing with it. You’re expected to ace every test, be everyone’s best friend, and somehow stay cool while doing it all. You seem to have it all together—teachers praise you,

Agoraphobia vs social anxiety- what are the differences between these two conditions? These two distinct conditions are often confused. Agoraphobia involves a profound fear of situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable, such as crowded places or open spaces. In contrast, social anxiety disorder centers on the intense fear of social situations and interactions, driven by the fear

It can be heartbreaking to see your child in pain, especially when it seems to stem from emotional distress. When your child complains of stomach pain daily, it might just be that their discomfort could be more than just the usual children’s tummy ache. It could be from worry, fear or upset. For many of the parents that I work

Gifted anxiety is the heightened stress and worry that gifted individuals often face. In my clinic, I see that many bright children and teens experience anxiety despite having high verbal intelligence because they struggle with strong emotions that are often hard to manage. Many of the children and teens that I have supported over these three decades, feel things more

Children with autism experience anxiety just like other children, but the way it presents can be uniquely shaped by their neurological and sensory profiles. This anxiety often takes the form of separation anxiety, obsessive-compulsive-like behaviors, social anxiety, or sensory-related anxiety. Because autism can make communication challenging, your child may struggle to express their anxiety in typical ways. Instead, you might

As a clinical psychologist for over 30 years, I know that when it comes to managing anxiety in children, many of you are looking for alternatives to ADHD medications. While children’s ADHD medication can help, they’re not the only option. So, what’s the best ADHD medication for a child with anxiety? You might be surprised by the answer.  ADHD and

Stress and anxiety have become an unwelcome companion for many individuals. Stress for children and adults is at unprecedented levels, affecting the mental and emotional well-being of millions of people.  In a world filled with countless stressors, finding ways to alleviate that pressure and make things more manageable is essential. Stress management is crucial for building resilience, not just in

Do you want the best for your child? Of course, you do! Did you know that natural treatments can ease anxiety symptoms? Well, many science-backed solutions treat stress and anxiety. Working in mental health for 30 years using natural treatments to help children with attentional, behavioral, and emotional issues allowed me to help thousands of special needs families worldwide see

Living with anxiety can be challenging, and for those dealing with anxiety disorders, the constant barrage of anxious thoughts can make daily life feel overwhelming. Managing anxiety is crucial for both mental and physical well-being. I’ve written hundreds of articles on anxiety and talked about it in many media interviews. Working with children and teens suffering from anxiety for decades