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Anxious thoughts are a common problem for parents and children alike - arising from school, work, relationships and uncertainty about the future.

When these thoughts become frequent fixtures in the mind, they can lead to unhelpful coping mechanisms - like avoiding worrying situations, having tantrums and changing eating habits. If these thoughts take over they can even lead to depression.

So, how do you tackle these anxious thoughts as they appear? How do you help your child to do the same? In this film, psychologist Dr Anna demonstrates one way you or your child can think about these thoughts - as if they're noisy kids on a school bus…

Dr Anna's technique

• Imagine you're the driver of a school bus full of noisy, disruptive children.
• Some are telling you to take a different route to school, or that the route you're taking is wrong.
• But, you are the driver. You don't have to divert from your pathway, just because some kids are telling you to.
• Thoughts can be just like noisy passengers in our mind.
• Notice those noisy, anxious thoughts and then put them to one side. Focus on the bigger picture.

Try this technique yourself, or, if your child is struggling with anxiety, you could talk them through it step-by-step.

For more ways to tackle anxiety, take a look at the Parents' Toolkit collection.

�鶹�� Action Line has further information and support around mental health for young people and adults

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