Research shows Cognitive Behavioral therapy is extremely helpful for anxiety disorders and there is more research expanding on CBT and ways to manage anxiety via counseling therapy.

Intervening early when a child or teenager or young person starts struggling to cope is proven to reduce the likelihood of that young person developing much more severe and entrenched mental health problems. Counseling and child and teen therapy is vital. Family counseling and parenting will help the child even more than just one on one child psychotherapy. Lifeworksaz.com provides a multifaceted approach that works with teens and also with parents to help their child.

Anxiety can be a normal reaction to stress . It helps us deal with challenging situations like a test or a speech .

It is when anxiety becomes excessive , and interferes with daily life situations that it can become disabling. Some types of anxiety that manifests itself in children and adolescent teens are : separation anxiety , post traumatic stress disorder , social phobia , specific phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and more.

Cognitive behavioral therapy , exposure therapy , and mood regulation skills have a lot of research behind it and show great success in treating anxiety disorders . There are many other approaches as well that have show success.

Stress and anxiety in Scottsdale, Arizona are on the rise due to many things. Both parents are working and busy. Children and Teens have infinite distractions with: Facebook, instagram, texting, video games, I pad, smart Phones, Net Flix, and more. These distractions can impact : sleep, mood, behavior and motivation in relation to academics and family life.  There are a number of things that must happen to address anxiety and the more pieces addressed the quicker balance will occur in your child or teen.

Children as young as five are being referred for treatment for depression and anxiety in the United States of America. Figures showed mental health teams are working with more than 1,000 children and young people who were referred for therapy.

Research shows that family stress, financial issues, unemployment, and substance use or abuse is connected with child depression and child anxiety.

Twenty percent of children between ages 10-16 will be diagnosed with some type of mental health diagnosis. It could be ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Autism, Oppositional defiant disorder and more.

The tendency to develop depression and anxiety involves a complex mixture of factors, such as (genetic) factors and life-stressors.

Children and adolescents who get depressed have often had adverse experiences, such as, losing a parent or being abused as a child. Some have had struggles academically. Many children have been bullied or have been verbally abused and not accepted at their schools. Many struggle with social skills and communication skills. Many have very low self esteem.

Such early life experiences sets a person up for later depression and anxiety.

In addition recent events often precipitate an episode of depression or anxiety. A life event is simply a stressful occurrence. Friendship difficulties and disappointments are common triggers for depression and anxiety in children and adolescents.

Having a family history of depression can also put individuals more at risk as there is some genetic contribution to depression.

Although there is no evidence that family difficulties actually cause depression, when there is a lot of family conflict, this can interfere with a person’s recovery.The most important element in treating depression and anxiety is feeling safe and comfortable with one’s therapist and having someone with a great deal of experience working with youth. I see youth all day in my office and many only see one child per week so make sure you find someone who has rapport with parents as well as your child.

LifeworksAZ.com counseling teaches your child a variety of techniques to manage: anxiety, depression, and elevate mood. Lifeworks az.com David Abrams MAPC LPC has been working with you and anxiety disorders for over 15 years. This includes: Social anxiety, Generalized anxiety, Phobias, PTSD, separation anxiety and more

The more adverse or challenges in childhood for example stress and trauma the more likely one can suffer from mental health issues like “ depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and many other disorders.. The more challenging and adverse a child is exposed to will impact risky behaviors and poor physical and mental health in the future.

Negative childhood experiences are connected with : heart disease, diabetes, sexual diseases, risky behaviors and more. The greater the amount of childhood trauma the greater the association with less life satisfaction. The higher amounts of trauma and intensity and frequency of the trauma showed more frequent symptoms of : depression , anxiety, substance abuse, and more health issues.

Just because a child has trauma does not mean he or she can not find balance, happiness , and success. Lifeworksaz.com David Abrams MAPC, LPC has a specialty in child and family counseling as well as a specialty in Trauma, abuse, and deprivation. He also works with parents and families to create desired change and has been working with youth and families for over 15 years .

Children can learn many tools that they can use to balance their mental health and have skills to manage mood, school, family activities, healthy communication, academic success, build self esteem, make healthy life choices, manage anxiety, manage stress, and much more.

Adverse childhood experiences include living with someone who is mentally ill ,or suicidal; experiencing divorce or parental separation; living with someone who has an alcohol or drug problem; being a victim or witness of neighborhood violence; experiencing financial hardship; witnessing violence; having a parent in prison or incarcerated ,being treated or judged unfairly due to race or ethnicity ( racism/sexism etc); and experiencing the death of a parent ( grief and loss)

Teenagers and children who have experienced an adverse event are about twice as likely to engage in bullying behavior and the propensity to bully others goes up by 30 percent with each additional event of being victimized.

Teens 13-17 in Arizona have been exposed to forty four percent adverse events that are traumatic.

Children that have these experiences are more likely to have mental health issues, health problems, academic issues, obesity, and struggle in life.

Strong evidence showed that individual and group cognitive–behavioral therapy can decrease psychological harm among symptomatic children and adolescents exposed to trauma.

Recovery from childhood trauma involves owning the experiences we have disowned. It includes owning parts of ourselves that we continue to want to push away. This is a painful process because it means that we will need to embrace painful realities. Everything in us (and often around us) tells us that this is not the right path to take. But it is always truth, no matter how painful, that frees us. Embracing our life experiences and their ongoing impact on us is the path to freedom and wholeness.

Learning to not allow unhealthy defense mechanisms and behaviors from the past that helped shield you from pain and taking control of your unhealthy habits is vital for healing and balance. Looking at the ways you avoid feelings and how you cope with pain is also essential. Accepting the fact that you were not at fault and you can cope with your pain in a healthy way and that you are strong and can handle it is also important.

Grief and trauma in youth

Grief is a mixture of feelings : anger , guilt, frustration, fear , anxiety , when dealing with loss. Losing a loved one, family member, dog , cat are all areas that connect with grief . A parent that is not involved in a child’s life is a great source for grief and loss.

Children and teens may not be able to verbalize they are grieving however here are some symptoms that can show signs of grief: anger, irritability, lack of focus , anxiety, sadness, drug or alcohol abuse, self destructive behaviors , somatic problems ( headache , stomach pain, fatigue and more), promiscuity , addictive behaviors like being too busy ( blocking pain), decline in academic performance or lack of motivation , confusion, feeling alone , jealousy, constant thoughts of the loss, shock, numbness and more.

Children and adolescent teenagers can learn ways to identify feelings and express them in safe and healthy ways.

Parents need an objective professional that has expertise working with children , teens and families to help work through grief and loss.

Many children and teens suffer childhood trauma. Trauma can be from : emotional abuse , physical abuse, sexual abuse, divorce, grief, loss, health issues, family issues and more.

There has ben a great deal of research on the brain and trauma from PTSD for soldiers to childhood neglect and abuse. the latest research shows how important it is to address the trauma instead of avoiding it, stuffing it, acting as if nothing happened. In fact ignoring the trauma is the worst thing a child or an adult can do according to researchers on trauma and the brain.

Children and teens that were exposed to therapy that addressed these traumas show an 80% decrease on average in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Syndrome symptoms. Children and teens that addressed trauma were less depressed and less anxious and were able to function much better in all areas of their lives. Not addressing the past trauma in children and teen adolescents allows the trauma to fester in the brain and this will potentially ooze into unhealthy habits, behaviors, and mental health issues. Many reach for medications to alleviate pain, many start using illegal substances to numb out or cope with their past pain.

Children and teens that can express their trauma can build a strong sense of confidence that they can handle the most painful events. They can build their self esteem. They can learn that they can cope with life’s pain and still have a happy, healthy, and balanced life. It is a relief to release this heavy pain that the child or teen carries around like a 1000 pound weight squeezing their mind and body and soul.

One big piece of dealing with the trauma is also that children become aware that they are not truly safe and that the trauma is in their past and is no longer carried with them today in the present moment. Releasing these traumas take some time however letting go of it and processing the abuse and trauma and pain is the biggest piece in healing the brain and finding health and balance in one’s life physically, mentally and emotionally.

The research has been published in medical journals and has been done at many ivy league schools in the USA.

Lifeworksaz has an advanced graduate specialty in Trauma and has worked with: children, teens, adults and families to create balance in one’s life. Lifeworksaz.com David Abrams has a specialty working with children and families for over fifteen years.

Almost 20 Percent of adults in the USA have anxiety so do not feel alone it is becoming more and more common in our stressful society in the USA. Many teens would like to avoid or not acknowledge their anxiety and this is not the solution. The more the teen ignores the more they find that it is interrupting many areas of life.

The more children and teens open up about: anxiety, panic attacks, OCD, the more we can create strategies and coping mechanisms to manage or eliminate the anxious symptoms.

There are many techniques and tools your child can learn to empower him or herself and feel confident and peaceful and be able to do the things he or she wants to do in life.

There are many factors that can contribute to anxiety or anxiety disorders: obsessive compulsive disorders, Panic disorders, social anxiety, Phobias, general anxiety, Panic attacks, PTSD Post traumatic stress disorders and more.

It is important to look at many elements in an individuals life: medications, factors during inception and birth, environmental factors, Drugs, marijuana, alcohol, Stressors, Trauma from the past ( emotional, physical, mental), sleep, diet, daily habits, negative cognitions daily, genetics in the family from Mom and Dad as well as other family members and their traumas as well.

Many practitioners give meds without addressing the root causes of the anxiety. It is important to look at all the above and more in order to create the best plan to reduce anxiety. I have worked with anxiety disorders for over 15 years and have seen a combination of many elements that exacerbate anxiety disorders. It is vital to look at all the above areas in order to really manage your child’s anxiety or your anxiety as best as possible. Not looking at sleep for example and treating the disorder without a change in sleep will most likely not be very successful since sleep is an important element in mood disorders.

Brain experts believe a diet that is heavy in inflammation food consumption and low in healthy fats affects the risk of obtaining anxiety or anxiety disorders. Anxiety is extremely high in those with high sensitivity to gluten.

Medication is used to treat ADHD , however, research shows that it also leads to anxiety disorders, as well as other symptoms including but not limited to addiction.

There are many tools an anxiety client can learn in order to manage an anxiety disorder be it panic attacks, phobias, generalized anxiety, PTSD, etc.

Some of the research based tools in counseling psychology to manage anxiety are: EMDR, DBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Progressive Relaxation, VMBR, Exposure therapy, and mindfulness.

Child anxiety is stressful and painful for families. Activities that once were enjoyable are avoided and parents hear complaints of stomach problems, and various aches and pains, headaches and more. Learning ways to cope with anxiety is important. It is a fine balancing act however avoiding school and avoiding sleeping alone and avoiding new things is not creating a balance for your child or teenager. Forcing a child may be overwhelming and can be a failed approach as well. It is important that parents understand that anxiety can be debilitating and your child may no be manipulating and may not be lazy.

Many children that have behavioral issues like oppositional defiance or conduct disorders also have underlying anxiety that they do not know how to handle or identify. Learning skills to manage anxiety is vital to you child’s success socially as well as academically and behaviorally and emotionally. Most children can not articulate what is going on inside their bodies and minds. They must learn skills and tools to address their anxiety.

Some children can manifest itself in different ways. One way might be to avoid situations that are uncomfortable. Another way might be to escape the situation and this can be seen or perceived as oppositional or defiant when it is really fear based. Behavioral dysregulation is common with children and teens that have anxiety disorders: panic attacks, phobia, social anxiety, PTSD, Post traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorders , obsessive compulsive disorder and other anxiety disorders.

Children that display temper tantrums, behavioral problems at school, throw things at school, throw themselves down and cry and have full blown outburst may have a profound anxiety disorder however this needs to be assessed by a professional. Anxiety disorders need to be assessed and treated by a professional in mental health care.

Academic pressure and demands in the classroom can trigger anxiety and this will look like disruptive behaviors. The child may feel overwhelmed and anxious and not be able to cope with the teachers request or the assignment. The child might be intelligent however he or she may have a learning challenge or trouble with the task and feel overwhelmed hence unable to do the task and act out behaviorally.

Most teachers are not trained in identifying anxiety disorders and a child or teenager typically will end up in suspension or in the Principals office being punished. This does not address the underlying issue that may be an anxiety disorder.

A child that is diagnosed with ADHD may have an anxiety disorder instead that looks like: impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention however this needs to be evaluated by a professional. A lot of times individuals jump to ADHD diagnosis when really the child or teen is suffering with an anxiety disorder. An anxiety disorder may be primary and for example ADHD is secondary or it may be the other way around. There are a number of other diagnosis as well that may be co-occuring with a child or teens anxiety.

It is important to find a professional that has daily experience working with anxiety and children and teens . Children and teens can learn tools and skills to manage and cope with anxiety and other disorders. Parents can learn skills as well to help create success and balance in your child’s life. David Abrams MAPC, LPC, CAGS has over 15 years experience working with families and youth treating anxiety disorders. Lifeworksaz.com has testimonials and more information.

The Pope says that texting at the dinner table could lead to war. The Pope states that conversation, communication, and dialogue stops when children and teens are not speaking about there thoughts and feelings at the home. The family is breaking down without communication. Further the pope states that children and teens must learn manners and respect for their parents and others. Getting a firm grasp of smartphones, texting, and electronics is vital otherwise one will be surprised when you see behaviors radically change in your child or teen.

Many parents come to my office weekly with a wide array of challenges: disrespect, poor grades, anxiety, poor self esteem, poor social skills, Bipolar, addiction, depressed mood, defiance, conduct disorder, OCD, Aspergers, autism etc. All of these issues are important for a child, teen and family. Are smart phones the cause of these problems? They may not be the root cause of the problems , however, if your child is spending more than 1,5 hours a day : texting, you tubing, watching TV, playing games on his or her phone, playing  video games on a computer,x box, PS3 , DS player, smartphone, face booking, insta-gramming, snap chatting, TV, texting.. then all the above are more likely to occur.

Electronic devices and games are very addictive and are different than TV. Children and teens are sucked in by psychological principals that keep them attached to their devices. One psychological principle used is partial reinforcement. Children and teens are rewarded for various moves they make and can win rewards that are monetary and visual and auditory and your child is tapping in to many regions of the brain that are giving him or her natural chemicals that keep them playing. Also most children and teens would rather be on an electronic device you tubing or net flixing than doing algebra or an English paper or really most homework.

If your child is sucked into the electronic vortex chances are grades are not great and learning is not optimized. Your teen also is not learning social and interpersonal skills hiding behind the smart phone or computer or video game. Playing Halo online with friends is not “real life communication skills” that are needed for relationships and employment except possibly learning to write. So it is a very limited type of communication.

If your child is on electronics most of the day chances there relationship with family is suffering. Family communication is not optimized. It is important to learn face to face communication skills with family for healthy and happy relationships.

If your child or teen is in his or her room most of the day and night chances are he or she is not getting the needed sleep for a teen that is 9-10 hours a night. If your child is not getting adequate sleep he or she will be irritable and angry and unfocused in class. Your child may sleep in class and not be able to pay attention to the teacher as well. Relationships will go South and so will grades.

Research show that the more children and teens spend time on  social media the lower satisfaction they report regarding their lives. Childhood experiences are vital in shaping how they will succeed in adult life.

A teen from MA. sent her boyfriend text messages when he was in a state of depression urging him to kill himself. She is standing trial for Manslaughter. The Grand Jury stated that her texts coerced him into committing the act of suicide and it was a direct and casual link to him killing himself. The teen urged her boyfriend to kill himself and put him down when he stated he was having doubts of killing himself.

Depression is common among teenagers and should be addressed right away through professional services.

The development of the teen brain continues and when the brain is still developing it will be adversely impacted by drug and substance use. The chances of future mental health disorders increases greatly when a teen is using drugs or alcohol.

Stress and trauma from birth on can make many children and teenagers prone to mental health disorders including and not limited to: depression, anxiety, substance abuse and much more. Stress from family fighting and emotional pain can impact mental health disorders. Divorce, separations, verbal abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, divorce, changing schools, bullying, poor family relationships, grief and loss of family members, and more can impact mood and make teens and children more susceptible toward mental health disorders: eating disorders, Phobias, Mood disorders, substance dependence and more.

Neurological factors and low levels of neurotransmitters can affect emotional balance and stability. This makes mental health  disorders more common.

Sleep disorders and poor sleep have shown a huge connection with depression and mood disorders and teenagers. Simply not getting adequate sleep can have a huge impact on a teens mental health.

Eating health and balanced diets are important for teens and adults for mood balance. Most teens skip breakfast and this impacts mood and concentration in a negative manner.

Some Red Flags that your child or teen is suffering from depression : suicidal thoughts, risky behaviors, impulsivity, sadness, hopelessness, anger, irritability, tearfulness, frequent crying, withdrawal from friends, withdrawal from family, loss of interest in activities, changes in eating habits, changes in sleeping habits, restlessness, agitation, feelings of worthlessness, sensitivity to criticism ,hopelessness, fatigue and low energy, lack of motivation , difficulty concentrating. If your teen has these symptoms one should go to a metal health professional. A depressed mood, lack of interest in activities, feelings of worthlessness, poor concentration, and thoughts of death are to be taken seriously.The length and severity of theses symptoms are important.

Many teens are stressed about: peers and social groups, relationships, family issues and relationships, academics, their future and future path in life and direction.

If their is an emergency you should call 911 or bring your child to emergency. If not professional mental health experts can work with you and your youth to help Counseling.

Over 50 percent of children under the age of two have been using smart phones. There are many reasons why smart phone use is not suggested by experts including American pediatric Organization and many more researchers in the field of child development and emotional and physical health.

The British government states that using: smart phones, Pc, I pads, Tablets, iPhones, video games, computers for young children will create severe emotional problems for your child. It can be challenges socially, insomnia, anxiety, depression, explosive anger, behavior issues and more. Human cues and human interaction and bonding are impacted by electronic devices.

Parents should be involved in: creative and active engagement with their children. Communication and teaching and playing with your child not games or electronic devices.

Children that watch or see aggression on TV, smart phones, video games, you tube will have aggressive thoughts and will likely ooze out with aggressive behavior verbally or physically. Garbage in Garbage out. You might be thinking well my child is playing creative games or educational games. I can assure you that they will be exposed to violent video games, shocking you tube videos, pornography ( majority of children under 8 exposed to it on phones or computers).  These visual images very likely will impact your child’s sleep patterns. Your child’s sleep impacts his or her mood. Your child’s mood will impact his or her school performance and social skills and self esteem. Family communication will decrease and interpersonal skills will diminish . It is vital to set serious limits and boundaries on your youth. Research shows 1 out of 9 youth are addicted to video games and their smart phones.

Obesity is on the rise in Scottsdale and Phoenix Arizona. Throughout the United States of America over 20 percent of children 8-17 are considered obese. There are a few things contributing to this outcome. Poor diets, lack of exercise daily, and sitting around playing video games, net-flixing, smart phoning, and more..Take these items away and your child or teen will have a reason to go outside and play sports, ride a bike, go to a gym, dance, hike, swim, light weights, play football, throw a ball around, skateboard, join a group and become social. Friends on line are not real friends in the sense that most discuss gaming only and their is rarely a physical interaction with the gaming friends that live all across the world .

The electronics are taking away time from learning behavior skills, academic skills, social skills, life skills, and physical activity that is vital for mood regulation and for stress management. You can modify your child’s behavior through counseling and parenting tips .

Many children and teens are facing a variety of mental health issues: anxiety, depression, anger issues, self harm, OCD, Oppositional defiance, behavioral issues at school, social issues, emotional issues, self esteem issues as well. Children are being bullied at school as well as on the computer or via texting or social media ( instagram, snapchat, facebook etc)

It is important to talk to your children about how they feel and how they think on a regular basis( daily if possible). If your child does not express his thoughts and feelings this can be a huge red flag and you do not know what is going on inside your child’s world.

Parents can lame themselves and this is not helpful for the parent or the child. Great parents have children that struggle with mental health issues so keep this in mind. Reach out for professional help and support.

Everyone struggles with life this is a huge part of mental health and we should not be ashamed or embarrassed by it. Society tells us to be strong and do not cry and do not show emotions , however, we all have pain in our lives and it is how we cope with our pain and stress that is important. Every child and adult has stress and it is a strength to reach out for help. If a child is struggling with math we get him or her help or a tutor. If a child is struggling with : anger, stress, social skills, self esteem depression, oppositional defiance, anger, anxiety, phobias, self harm, issues with family we need to provide an outlet for support.

Typically schools for children and teens have very few counselors on staff . For example at one school I attended there was one counselor for over 600 children. It was great that the school had a counselor because many schools do not have a mental health counselor. The reality is that the counselor does not have time to meet with all 600 students on a weekly basis and give them the support they may need. Finding an expert that has daily experience with children, teens and families is important for parents and for the child. Being able to work with the child and parent provides the best systemic support for your child. Letting your child know that you are working on improving your relationship with your child and you are a team player is important to show your child you are dedicated to therapy and counseling and also it is important to you that things change. Labeling the child as the “ problem” is not a good approach for life changes in mental health and in life skills including school academics and more.

Lifeworks AZ David Abrams MAPC, LPC, CAGS is passionate about helping children and families help themselves . David looks at all areas of a child’s life . He looks at : self esteem, social, family issues, academics, sleep, diet, exercise, anger, mood, anxiety, behavioral issues, emotional issues, depression, self harm, negative thinking and more and creates a plan and goals that create a win win for the child and family. David has been working with children, teens, and families for over 15 years and this is one of his specialty areas. You can read a lot more about what parents are saying about David at www.lifeworksaz.com

Child anxiety is simply a form of stress. It is an alarm system for all human beings. Everyone experiences anxiety. Children may feel it if they have a presentation at school or when life gets difficult. Children can face anxiety when taking tests, switching schools, moving to a new house, moving to a new city. Certain levels of stress and anxiety are normal. However when impacts getting things done, not going to school, not participating in school or social events, avoiding activities and makes life less enjoyable it is time to get an assessment from a counselor or therapist that is trained in working with children.

There are many types of anxiety disorders: Phobias, social phobia, panic attacks, PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Obsessive compulsive disorder, and more. There are two ways to deal with anxiety disorders. Learn tools via counseling and empower oneself to manage the stress or some people medicate themselves. Research shows that if one chooses medication that counseling is needed for best results. No medication can change your child’s thought process.

Some but not all symptoms of anxiety are: excessive worrying, trouble focusing, fatigue and being tired during the day, difficulty sleeping at night, a lot of worry that lasts days or more. Many children do not express their feelings about what is going on however if the above is happening you can deduce what most likely is going on. Many children express physical symptoms like: headaches, stomach aches, not feeling well etc.

Child and teenage Anxiety often manifests as a physical symptom like pain, fatigue, or inability to sleep. 30 percent of patients seen by primary care practitioners have at least one ANXIETY disorder.

Children and teenagers with anxiety disorders typically experience intense fear, worry and discomfort that last for a long time and significantly impact an adolescent or child and families lives.

Anxiety Disorders can lead to school problems , social issues, academic problems, alcohol and drug use, anxiety issues as an adult.

Anxiety Disorders can impact obtaining employment and can create frustration and anger issues when goals are not reached and the anxiety continues to impede progress.

The great news is psychotherapy and counseling can alleviate your anxiety and stress and their are also medications that a physician would give if needed.

Depressed teenagers who received cognitive behavioral therapy also known as CBT in their recovered faster, and were also more likely to recover, than children and teens who did not receive counseling and psychotherapy services, this study was published in a pediatric journal recently in 2015.

Self-reported child and adolescent sleep across the last twenty fiver years are concerning and suggest that there is potentially a significant public health concern that warrants education for parents and counseling education for youth and teens in the USA.

There is a connection and awareness among the scientific community that insomnia, depression and anxiety disorders are linked with each other. The risks are psychological, emotional, social, and more and must be addressed as a system.

Having insomnia in addition to anxiety or depression can further intensify the problems being experienced with each individual disorder. It can lead to such problems as alcohol and drug misuse during adolescence.

.

Children and teenagers can experience stressors which can interfere with sleep. Consumption of energy drinks – which contain caffeine – is also known to disrupt sleep, as is use of certain medications: aniti-depressants etc. A majority of children and teens are spending 40-50 hours more than they should each week playing or involved w electronics: video games, you tube, TV, Snap Chat, Instagram, Facebook, Texting, gaming, and more on the internet. Research shows that this also is impacting sleep which is connected with motivation, mood, anxiety, depression and more. It may exacerbate symptoms or create mood disorders.

Diet is one huge component that creates anxious symptoms. Caffeine creates an artificial and temporary lift for people who are stressed out and tired. It is different than a lift you get from good food and exercise .

Here is a list of possible side effects from caffeine : restlessness , nervousness , irritability , shaking , sleeplessness , sweaty hands, irregular heart beat , nervous or upset stomach , panic attacks and more .

Counseling can teach you healthy ways to manage anxiety and stress and create calm and balance in your life .

Many children that are quiet or shy meet the criteria for social phobia or generalized anxiety disorder .

Children affected with social phobia display greater impairment socially and are more likely to experience anxiety, mood disorders, depression, behavior disorders, substance use and more. The intense fear can be crippling with regard to social interactions.

A large percentage of teens with social phobia fail to seek

professional treatment for anxiety.

Psychotherapy and counseling can help children manage their anxiety and phobia so they can interact with those they hope to connect with.

The use of certain psychiatric medications during pregnancy can result in children born with depression by early teens and adolescence. A great deal of research from Finland, and other countries have found found that children exposed to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during gestation had more chance of being diagnosed with depression after age 12.

What is best for your child? Working with an expert in counseling that can treat children and teens and families. One type of therapy is not the only technique to create change. A wide array of therapies can help a child manage his mood, behaviors, anxiety and depression. A holistic and a multi systemic approach is the best prevention and the best way to facilitate desired changes for your child and teenager.

Receiving input form parents on daily and weekly behaviors and working together to modify unhealthy habits and routines as well as setting up a system that is reward based for positive behaviors is vital in creating balance and success for your child.

Children and adolescents suffer from anxiety. Some of the most common types of anxiety are : panic , phobias, generalized anxiety ,PTSD, and separation anxiety. Obsessive compulsive behavior is also a part of anxiety disorders .

Psychotherapy and counseling can be extremely helpful in learning ways to overcome anxiety ridden thinking and anxiety due to physiological responses.

Lifeworksaz.com, child and teen psychotherapist David Abrams MAPC, LPC, CAGS has extensive expertise in working with children and families in order to manage stress, anxiety , as well as other child, teen and family disorders and challenges . David has worked with children and families for over 15 years as his focus in private practice.

Most children and teens are spending more time on media then they are doing homework, spending time with family, spending time with peers, being involved in sports and other activities. Media can be : TV, Video Games, You tube, Snapchat, facebook, Google, Internet, Netflix, I pad, I Phone, Smart phone, gaming etc.

70 years of research shows that media does have an impact on your child’s self esteem, behavior, personality, and more. Video games are aggressive and violent and this can impact our child’s behaviors. Not only can too much media impact behaviors there is a connection with mood, anxiety and depression. Many children have poor self esteem and poor social skills as there idea of what they should be is molded by media. Pornography is pervasive and many children are sexting x rated photos at the young age of 8. This was not happening twenty years ago.

Limiting media consumption is vital. Children and teens as well as adults have more mood disorders: anxiety, depression, bipolar and more physical health issues as well as insomnia when watching tv and having electronics in the bedroom. Medical experts have extensive research on impact of using media in bedroom before sleep and insomnia as well as behavioral and emotional issues.

Teens and children are spending between 6-9 hours per day on electronic devices. Youth in America according to a recent study of over 3000 youth show they are spending more time on media and electronic devices including phones than they are sleeping. The cell phone, Tv, You tube videos, cell phone games, texting , instagram, snapchat, video games, netflix , hula are distracting children from homework, exercise, and healthy face to face relationships. Children and Teenagers are in their room jumping from one electronic device to another and it is having a negative impact on learning and grades! I had a news reporter tell me that we do not know the impact of media on children. There are thousands of studies showing that children and teens are out of balance with media use, tv, cell phone use, and video games. The experts state children should be using no more than 1.5 hours per day . This includes the pediatric medical community. So media Health Care Doctors, Psychologists, Researchers, and world experts maintain we must limit the exposure to electronics. It impacts sleep, mood, performance, social skills, academic success and more in a negative manner.

Teenagers between the ages of 13-18 are spending on average nine hours per day on electronics: tv, netflix, texting, you tube, Facebook, instagram,social networking, snapchat, video games, online videos. Teens are rarely maintaining 7 hours of sleep per night during the school week.

Children are also using electronic media at a high rate. Youth ages 9-12 are averaging six hours per day of electronic media use nd this does not include time for homework.

Seventy percent of teens do not believe that watching tv, texting, playing video games, surfing the net impacts their ability to study and learn. Research shows this not to be the case in fact it is the opposite of what the teens believe.

Teen Boys are spending a great deal of time on video games. Male teens spend almost ten times the amount of time on video games and online gaming as well as cell phone gaming. Teen girls spend more time on social media than boys and girls spend more time reading than boys.

Parents are in a power position to set boundaries for: sleep, gaming, texting, Tv, Homework, and more. If parents do not set firm limits than an immature child will be sucked into the vortex of games and entertainment and will be in their rooms drunk with power. Family communication will deteriorate, grades will go south, negative behaviors will become more frequent, family stress will increase, and mental and physical health.

A family counseling approach helping parents as well as the child or teen shows best results.

Child and teenage Anxiety often manifests as a physical symptom like pain, fatigue, or inability to sleep. 30 percent of patients seen by primary care practitioners have at least one ANXIETY disorder.

Children and teenagers with anxiety disorders typically experience intense fear, worry and discomfort that last for a long time and significantly impact an adolescent or child and families lives.

Anxiety Disorders can lead to school problems , social issues, academic problems, alcohol and drug use, anxiety issues as an adult.

Anxiety Disorders can impact obtaining employment and can create frustration and anger issues when goals are not reached and the anxiety continues to impede progress.

The great news is psychotherapy and counseling can alleviate your anxiety and stress and their are also medications that a physician would give if needed.

Depressed teenagers who received cognitive behavioral therapy also known as CBT in their recovered faster, and were also more likely to recover, than children and teens who did not receive counseling and psychotherapy services, this study was published in a pediatric journal recently in 2015.

Self-reported child and adolescent sleep across the last twenty fiver years are concerning and suggest that there is potentially a significant public health concern that warrants education for parents and counseling education for youth and teens in the USA.

There is a connection and awareness among the scientific community that insomnia, depression and anxiety disorders are linked with each other. The risks are psychological, emotional, social, and more and must be addressed as a system.

Having insomnia in addition to anxiety or depression can further intensify the problems being experienced with each individual disorder. It can lead to such problems as alcohol and drug misuse during adolescence.

.

Children and teenagers can experience stressors which can interfere with sleep. Consumption of energy drinks – which contain caffeine – is also known to disrupt sleep, as is use of certain medications: aniti-depressants etc. A majority of children and teens are spending 40-50 hours more than they should each week playing or involved w electronics: video games, you tube, TV, Snap Chat, Instagram, Facebook, Texting, gaming, and more on the internet. Research shows that this also is impacting sleep which is connected with motivation, mood, anxiety, depression and more. It may exacerbate symptoms or create mood disorders.

Diet is one huge component that creates anxious symptoms. Caffeine creates an artificial and temporary lift for people who are stressed out and tired. It is different than a lift you get from good food and exercise .

Here is a list of possible side effects from caffeine : restlessness , nervousness , irritability , shaking , sleeplessness , sweaty hands, irregular heart beat , nervous or upset stomach , panic attacks and more .

Counseling can teach you healthy ways to manage anxiety and stress and create calm and balance in your life .

Many teens that are quiet or shy meet the criteria for social phobia or generalized anxiety disorder .

Adolescents affected with social phobia display greater impairment socially and are more likely to experience anxiety, mood disorders, depression, behavior disorders, substance use and more. The intense fear can be crippling with regard to social interactions.

A large percentage of teens with social phobia fail to seek

professional treatment for anxiety.

Psychotherapy and counseling can help adolescents manage their anxiety and phobia so they can interact with those they hope to connect with.

The use of certain psychiatric medications during pregnancy can result in children born with depression by early teens and adolescence. A great deal of research from Finland, and other countries have found found that children exposed to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during gestation had more chance of being diagnosed with depression after age 12.

What is best for your child? Working with an expert in counseling that can treat children and teens and families. One type of therapy is not the only technique to create change. A wide array of therapies can help a child manage his mood, behaviors, anxiety and depression. A holistic and a multi systemic approach is the best prevention and the best way to facilitate desired changes for your child and teenager.

Receiving input form parents on daily and weekly behaviors and working together to modify unhealthy habits and routines as well as setting up a system that is reward based for positive behaviors is vital in creating balance and success for your child.

Children and adolescents suffer from anxiety. Some of the most common types of anxiety are : panic , phobias, generalized anxiety ,PTSD, and separation anxiety. Obsessive compulsive behavior is also a part of anxiety disorders .

Psychotherapy and counseling can be extremely helpful in learning ways to overcome anxiety ridden thinking and anxiety due to physiological responses.

Lifeworksaz.com, child and teen psychotherapist David Abrams MAPC, LPC, CAGS has extensive expertise in working with youth in order to manage stress, anxiety , as well as other child, teen and family disorders and challenges . T

We are a society that has a great deal of emotional pain and we need tools to manage our emotions. Research shows that: stress and trauma,and daily activities impact our brains and we need ways to manage stress, anger, grief, loss, anxiety, fear, depression, shame, embarrassment and more. Shootings are a daily event in the news and all of these people are in great pain. As a society we must make mental health a priority and we must encourage or mandate mental health starting with families and children at a young age. Most of these violent shooters have been in pain for years if not decades and did not receive the support system they needed .  Addictions are on the rise and this is a coping mechanism for stress and pain.

It is clear that the shooter was in tremendous emotional pain for a very long time. The victimizer had stalked students, sent inappropriate emails, scared two professors at the University.

I wonder if our society would benefit from policies that mandate long term counseling as a requirement for attending school if unhealthy behaviors are presented? What about counseling that is required at the work place for inappropriate behavior? It can only help.

In an incident at ASU a former football player had a history of violent behaviors and inappropriate threats to women at the university. He was not required to have counseling. He killed his teammate one night at a bar in Scottsdale.

The UCSB shooter stated he played video games like: Halo, and World of Warcraft and this was going on for many years. He states he was rejected by society and felt lonely and depressed and he immersed himself in his video games for a distraction from his pain. It is interesting to note that his comments on his video tube discussing anger, aggression, and pre meditated murder used quotes from the video game work of Warcraft.

What has been missed until now is that quotes from his final YouTube video announcing his murderous intentions seem to come from the Warcraft character known as Garrosh Hellscream, whose pursuit of dominance and power lead him to hate the Warcraft races, including his own.n his last YouTube video, Rodger stated in what seems like prepared remarks, “If I had it in my power, I would stop at nothing to reduce every single one of you to mountains of skulls and rivers of blood, and rightfully so.” It appears that the UCSB shooter is mimicking a character from World of War Craft.

Whatever we focus on gets bigger and larger. IF a child or teen or adult spends most of his time playing shooting games this will preoccupy his thoughts not playing basketball, socializing with friends, healthy family interactions, improving social skills, building self esteem, doing homework, learning creativity, healthy communication and more.

Video games like anything can become addictive. Children and teenagers are playing video games on average of 6 hours per day. The imbalance in life is creating problems with communication, social skills, life skills, physical health ( diabetes), obesity, mood regulation and a complete breakdown of family values. Children are isolating themselves in their room and not participating in family dinner’s and family activities. This is a huge problem for healthy relationships, work, employment and for Families.

Video games target the brain’s reward system and generate dopamine the feel good chemical in children however it produces even more dopamine when they are losing according to research which makes them physiologically addicted to the game . This was seen in children and teens whom play video games more than one hour per day in some of the latest studies.

Violence is king for the teens and children. The most popular games played by our children are games that : kill, maim, decapitate, or torture other human characters. Children seemed to lack empathy when playing these video games it was as if this moral value was turned off due to the reinforcement and dopamine reward in the brain. So basically these violent games will create children that could delay and lack compassion and empathy for others in all areas of life. The lack of involvement in social and interpersonal experiences impacts many life skills that are vital for healthy relationships, marriage, family dynamics, and in school.

Exposure to violent video games rewards children for a lack of empathy over and over again and numbs them out to feelings and moral development according to research. So the games are rewarding your child for: killing, having sex with prostitutes, killing police, decapitating people etc…How can this possibly be good? Healthy?

Children and adolescents that lack social interaction that results from obsessive gaming can have long-term social consequences. An addicted teenager won’t develop effective social skills, which will hinder his ability to develop and maintain healthy relationships in college and beyond. Suddenly, he’s 21 but has the social skills of a 15-year-old. He doesn’t know how to make friends, talk to girls, or just “hang out” and enjoy people’s company. The social awkwardness created by the isolationism of gaming addiction, unfortunately, feeds the addiction. The gaming addict will likely retreat back to his online world where relationships are easier and already waiting for him.

Gaming addiction is serious. Though there still is much debate about whether it is a diagnosable disorder, there is clearly a piece of our society for whom gaming is more than just a casual pastime. These people need friends and family members who care enough to intervene and try to help them break the addictive cycle.

 Below is an article from A London Paper on children who had played a violent video game.

A HEADTEACHER has sent a letter to parents after becoming aware of “extremely concerning behaviour” of pupils, some as young as six, which he puts down to a violent video game.

Pupils at Coed-y-Brain Primary School, in Llanbradach, have been, according to head teacher Morian Morgan, “initiating games that involve simulating rape and sexual intercourse” and “having detailed discussion of drug use”.

Staff at the school discovered that the worrying behaviour was a result of children coming into contact with Grand Theft Auto, or GTA, which follows the dark underworld of America’s biggest cities.

Its latest instalment, Grand Theft Auto V, is thought to be one of the best-selling video games of all time, having sold more than 32 million copies worldwide.

It is certified for people over 18.

The letter to parents also said children were “acting out scenes from the game which include the strongest of sexual swear words”, “having conversations” about sexual acts and “play acting extremely violent games that sometimes result in actual injury”.

Mr Morgan said the letter was simply a way of making parents aware of this trend rather than criticising them for the children’s actions.

He said: “I sent out the letter with some trepidation but I’m pleased I sent it because all the comments, as far as I’m aware, have been very supportive.

“Until I went online and checked the content of this game, I thought it was just a bit of swearing and some shooting and I think some of the parents will tell you that they have been equally naive.

“But I must stress it’s not a matter of me condemning parents at all.”

Mr Morgan said staff approached some of the children to ask them where they had seen some of the behaviour.

He added: “We noticed it building up. It used to be when people watched TV programmes – we probably did it ourselves with cowboys and Indians.

“It became more concerning because this newest version (GTA V was released in September last year) seems to be even more shocking than the previous games.

“The youngest child showing this kind of behaviour was a six-year-old but that is unusual. It was very much a minority re-enacting these acts.”

Caerphilly council said it was a matter for the school to deal with internally.

All families have stress and pain . Imbalance, stress, death, moving, violence, divorce, rejection, loss, abuse, discord, bullying, isolation, are just some factors that contribute to: emotional, social, addictions and behavioral problems in youth today. Many children feel a void of meaninglessness and attempt to fill their void with the internet, you tube, tv, video games, drugs and more. None of these activities can fill their void.

Creating a deep meaningful  parent-child relationship filled with unconditional love and genuine interest and attention is the most important factor in providing a child with a safe, secure, and stable foundation for his or her future. The loss or absence of beneficial relationships is the Greatest source of suffering in a child’s life.Consistent parenting that is lacking causes a great deal of distress for a child. Emotional engagement and inconsistent parenting can take a devastating toll on a child. A child can grow up feeling alienated, rejected, helpless, unloved, angry, confused, depressed, anxious and more.

Parents are working more these days and there is less time being spent with children. Parents are exhausted by day’s end and there is little time spent together. Eating dinner together does not happen and quality time to develop a close relationship with children have fallen to the waste side. Children are growing like “weeds” playing video games and internet games to drown their pain out however the only thing that can fill them up is unconditional love and finding meaning in their lives.

Divorce and separation  is the single most traumatic and painful event for  a child. Losing a parent from death or an absence is extremely traumatic and must be dealt with so the child can feel safe and balanced. The lives of many children are impaired from grief, siblings and family illness, friends, a loved pet and more.

Physical, emotional, sexual abuse and trauma must be worked through in counseling to heal these emotional wounds. An emotional wound that goes untreated will spill over and ooze into other unhealthy behaviors for a child if left untreated.

Technology has replaced human connection. Dinner has been replaced by violent video games and addictive video games. Development of a child and teens brain is being stunted by a lack of interactions with adults. Children are isolated in their rooms playing video games, you tubing, face booking, however they are not having face to face human interactions that we all need and desire with adults that have: values, morals, ethics, boundaries, wisdom and more. So the internet is raising and shaping your child’s values and life. Many children spend 40-60 hours a week on the internet..garbage in garbage out..sure their are a few things that are positive however most activities are addictive and reinforce negative behaviors. Children are not exercising and getting out in nature. Children are not playing with peers however play with virtual friends and spend most of their free time developing virtual activities.

Children are looking for support and love in the wrong places. They are searching for love in food addictions, video games, Facebook posts, and more and wonder why they are unfulfilled. They really are looking for unconditional love and time with family.

Children are lacking direction and meaning in life. They can not derive meaning from finishing a video game. when life is void of meaning children and adults are depressed, empty, crushed, and vulnerable to emotional and behavioral issues.

Many experts are concerned that the drive through fix of medications is extremely dangerous for children and teens. Experts state a child that was free of emotional problems can be driven to: withdrawal, depression, irritability, anger, or psychosis from mind altering medications that are commonly prescribed as well as marijuana and street drugs.

Spending more quality time with youth is vital and family counseling and individual counseling with an experienced practitioner can facilitate desired change if parents are dedicated to improving their children’s lives

A recent study shows a connection between violent video games and racism and aggression . This was published in The Journal of social psychological and personality science. The violent video games perpetuate the  stereotype that african americans are violent. Women and police are portrayed in a negative light

and aggression may increase due to playing these violent video games.

Most parents view video games as” entertainment.” their content is not taken as seriously as that of the passive act of watching TV. After all, most adults today grew up playing pong, pac man, asteroids, space invaders, or defender. Nevertheless, what many parents might not realize is that the challenge for many players today is to rack up points by killing prostitutes after having sex with them. Video games have not only become more violent, the characters have become more real, and the effects that they are having on society, specifically women is shocking. Video games have engaged the “once spectator” to actively participate in addictive violence. Recent studies have undoubtedly concluded that the violence and negative reinforcements in video games have not only successfully promoted violence against women by desensitization, but they have also increased aggressive behavior in children and teenagers to a level that has devastated the lives of many.

The worldwide video game industry,  which includes video game console hardware and software, online, mobile and PC games, will reach $93 billion in 2013, up from $79 billion in 2012, according to Gartner, Inc. Driven by strong mobile gaming and video game console and software sales, the market is forecast to reach $111 billion by 2015. This includes: xbox, PS3, WI, Mobile devices, and computer devices as well as smart phones and gaming.  I wrote an article on the negative effects of gaming in 2004 and this is research based and is listed below to support some of the potential negative impacts gaming could have on a child.

Many people are shocked to discover that the video game industry is larger than the film industry. The Interactive Digital Software Association reported that video games are “the fastest growing entertainment industry in America, surpassing books, records and movie box offices combined” (Berger 2002). In 1997 the video and computer game industry generated 16 Billion dollars in economic activity, this does not include computer and video game hardware sales. In the year 2000 it became a 20 billion dollar industry and is still growing considerably (Berger, 2002). IDSA also reported at the time sixty five percent of all Americans age six and older, or about 145 million people, play computer and video games (Berger 2002). The video game industry has increased exponentially since 2002. It is stated that video games, many times is the initial experience that children have with the computer/ technology world. So, if boys tend to be the primary target of the industry, which, they are, what effect does it have on girls.

If a child’s interest begins with games. most common computer games involve violence and aggressive themes have the effect of turning girls away from the computers in general. This is one way of keeping women out of power. After all, these are male dominated industries. Since computer literacy is essential in most jobs, people who are exposed to computers earlier in life have an obvious advantage. The boys who outnumber the girls in gaming, will be the men who out-number the women in the business world. This may lead to the girls becoming less interested in the world of computers as a career. Girls are not the only ones who are not enamored with video games. Parents are unaware of the violence that is being reinforced hundreds of thousands of times in their child’s brain.

Teenagers report that 95 percent of the time their parents do not check the ratings or the content of video games being purchased. Ninety percent of parents do not set limits on how much time their child can play video games.

We have seen an alarming increase in violence and school shooting. Shootings at Paucah, Kentucky, Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Littleton, Colorado were all cases where the shooters were students who habitually played violent video games. The bloody game Doom was Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold’s favorite game ( they wounded 23 and killed 13). Two studies examined violent video games effect on aggression related variables. The first study found that real-live violent video games are positively related to aggressive behavior and delinquency. the second study showed lab exposure to a violent video game increased aggressive thoughts and and behaviors. The results are in line with the General Affective Aggression Model, which predicts that exposure to violent video games will increase aggressive behavior in both the short term and the long term ( Calvert, Jordan, Cocking 2000)

A study of about 329 children and media violence was done over a 21 year period by L. Rowell Huesmann at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research. Girls and boys participated. This was one of the few studies that followed children into adulthood, which enabled researchers to gauge the long term effects of televised violence. Men in the top twenty percent on childhood exposure to violence were twice as likely as adults to have pushed, grabbed or shoved their wives. The women who scored in the 20 percent were twice as likely to throw something at their husbands. the study concluded that both girls and boys exposed to a lot of televison violence have a greater risk of spousal abuse and criminal offenses, no matter what they were like as children( Ritter, M., 2003). This study was based specifically on violence, however, most video games today are also including very graphic sexually violent images, which are destroying women and the morality of society as a whole.

The effects of viewing sexually violent images was researched and discussed by Ed Donnerstein, Dean and Professor of Communications at the University of California, Santa Barbara.  In his study, young adults ages 18-20 were shown a one hour documentary on battered women. After watching the film, the viewers showed less empathy toward the victims. They lowered their evaluation on the level of injury that the women received. They also under estimated the level of pain that must have been experienced. Both men and women were more likely to display indifference toward the victims. many blamed the rape on the ladies and believed that the women brought it to themselves. It is clear that watching these images are negative, however, the video game industry uses reinforcement tactics to hook children, teens, and adults making the game, not just interactive but addictive. Violence in America and against women has increased since the rise of video games across the country.

Violence was declared the number one health problem for women in 1992, sadly, recent studies have concluded that the problem is not decreasing ( Violence, Women, and  the Media, 2000). For example , consider the following statistics: the single major cause of injury to American women is domestic violence, exceeding gang violence, muggings, murders, and accidents ( The Commonwealth Fund, 1993). In the US, one women is raped every two minutes (National Crime Victimization survey, 1996). One in every seven women has been raped in her life time (Daily News, November 18,1998). Also, In America a woman is physically abused every nine seconds ( The Commonwealth Fund, July 1993). In emergency rooms more than one third of American women have suffered physical or sexual abuse ( Sternberg S. 1999) And a staggering thirty percent of women murdered in the US are killed by their husbands, ex-husbands or boyfriends ( national Crime Victimization Survey,1996). Researchers have found that the way the media depicts women influences how women are viewed and treated in society( Violence, Women, and the Media, 2000). For example, many video games are very degrading and often depict women as victims of violence. Also many video games also portray women as sex objects.

In the year 2000 half of the top selling video games contained negative images about girls according to (Children, Now 2000). For example unrealistic body images, high pitched voices,fainting, violence, and provocative sexuality is promoted.

Twenty eight percent of games in a study show women as inferior and powerless. In games like Grand Theft Auto boys are taught women can be treated brutally and this is reinforced in the video game.

Players of Grand Theft Auto get rewarded if they kick and kill the prostitute to death after they have sex with her. Sounds shocking, but it is true and is one of the most popular video games among children and teenagers in the US. After playing for 4-8 hours a day, these acts of violence begin to seem normal.

Two decades of research had shown that repeated exposure to violence blunts emotional reactions and makes people less likely to help others in need ( Levine, 1996). Perfectly normal people no longer recognize violence because it is so prevalent in the media. People grow numb to violence with repeated exposure via media. People become less responsive to human pain and begin to lose awareness of what it means to be human.

Before the Vietnam War, fewer than 20 percent of soldiers on the front lines would actually fire at the enemy, however, with games such as Doom used as conditioning tools fdor the soldiers, the US military kill rate increased to (0 percent in Vietnam. With video games, our military scientifically overcame the soldier’s innate resistance to killing ( game Over, 2000) Violent video games are the mental equivalent of putting an assault rifle in the hands of every American child. By sitting mindlessly, killing countless thousands of fellow members of their own species without any ramifications or repercussions, operant conditioning concepts transfer immediately when the individual gets a real weapon in their hand and are being taught violence. The recent school shootings in 2008 and 2007 serve as an example of a link between video games and heightened aggressive behaviors.

For the video game child/ teenager or gamer, beating a previous high score, or winning a free game, or having sex with a prostitute is all part of Skinnerian reinforcement. behavior that is followed by reinforcement will increase in frequency. In short, video games that make a child or teen or adult feel good will be played again and again. A partial reinforcement schedule will lead to behavior that occurs more often with and is more resilient to extinction than does a continuous reinforcement schedule. These two effects of partial reinforcement produce what is considered addictive behavior. These irregular schedules of reinforcement are in part, what cause these video games to be so exciting and desirable. Tis kind of reinforcement, which causes addictive behaviors can explain why their is an increase in the video game industry as a whole.

The AMA states that anywhere in the world where TV appears, 15 years later the murder rate doubles. Ten thousand murders per year, 70,000 rapes, and 700,000 assaults. We must consider the impact of violent video games on the minds and behaviors of our society. The evidence is clear violence breeds more violence in the majority of situations.

The 93 Billion dollar Video game industry must be taken seriously. It must start with education and healthy parenting. It must come with boundaries and limitations. It must come with healthy communication and listening to children and teenagers. It must come from healthy role modeling from parents. The video game industry is no different than access to violence on TV or on the internet. Violence and abuse physically, mentally, emotionally, and sexually is not ok! Children and adults need balance and too much of anything is not healthy for the mind or body or relationships.

A recent study shows a connection between violent video games and racism and aggression . This was published in The Journal of social psychological and personality science. The violent video games perpetuate the  stereotype that African Americans are violent. Women and police are portrayed in a negative light and aggression may increase due to these violent video games. If a child is interacting with aggression for long periods of time  he or she will likely be thinking about aggression or violence. I have observed many children and teens who wake up at night with anxiety and  nightmares and their dreams parallel many of the video games they are playing.

It is not the video game alone that facilitates all anger and aggression however it is adding salt to your child’s already negative thoughts and painful thoughts and or unhealthy thoughts.

The obvious link between psychiatric drugs and violent outbursts is a common theme that crops up in almost every mass shooting incident, yet the media is routinely loathe to make the connection.

An article written in Time magazine seemed to undermine earlier reports in the media onslaught that Eric Harris was taking the Prozac knock-off  Luvox at the time he committed the tragic murders at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado.   Seemingly based on unpublished video tapes,  Time said that Harris stopped taking his Luvox in order to fan his anger.  The magazine did not state whether he had done this at the time of the shootings.  Also omitted was the data that stopping a Prozac-like drug such as Luvox can cause withdrawal problems , including mania and aggression.

However, there is incontrovertible evidence that Eric Harris was in fact taking Luvox at the time he committed the murders.   Through Freedom of Information, Dr. Peter Breggin obtained a report from the manufacturer of Luvox, Solvay, to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  Solvay reported that the autopsy findings on Eric Harris showed that he had a “therapeutic” (that is, effective) level of Luvox in his body at the time of his death.   Therefore, Eric Harris was taking and was under the influence of Luvox at the time of the school shootings.

In the recent fort Hood shooting..Officials also admitted that Lopez had been prescribed Ambien, a sleeping pill associated with aggression and outbursts.

34-year-old Lopez, who shot dead three colleagues and injured 16 others before turning the gun on himself, returned from Iraq suffering from “mental problems”

It emered that Washington Navy Yard shooter Aaron Alexis “had been treated…. by the Veterans Administration for his mental problems,” the press showed little interest in discovering what drugs Alexis had been taking. The only medication currently offered by the VA for mental problems are SSRI drugs.

Staff Sgt. Robert Bales was taking meds and SSRI’s when he massacred 16 Afghan civilians in 2012. SSRI medication, which is known to cause violent outbursts, is routinely used to treat PTSD, which goes some way to explain why there are so many stories about both active duty and returning troops carrying out acts of inexplicable violence on a regular basis. If it is not the medications than the brain could be so damaged from trauma, however, the question is are these medications working?

Despite it being reported that prescription drugs were found in the apartment of ‘Batman’ shooter James Holmes days after the Aurora massacre, it took nine months to find out exactly what those drugs were. This was the massacre that took place inside the movie theater. The killer was taking Zoloft an SSRI linked with violence.

At SSRI website people and consumers profusely documents, there are literally hundreds of examples of mass shootings, murders and other violent episodes that have been committed by individuals on psychiatric drugs over the past three decades.

Pharmaceutical giants who produce drugs like Zoloft, Prozac and Paxil spend around 3 Billion Dollars  on direct-to-consumer television advertising every year. By running negative stories about prescription drugs, networks risk losing tens of millions of dollars in ad revenue, which is undoubtedly one of the primary reasons why the connection is habitually downplayed or ignored entirely according . to experts in field of psychology and psychiatry as well as in business.

The gold standard for FDA approval in the USA is an 8-12 week study that is double bind, it must be replicated twice and show .01 percent better than a sugar pill (placebo). Children and adults are on these medications for years and decades……. are we missing something here?

Research in medicine state that medication alone is not the solution. A pill can not stop negative thinking and unhealthy thoughts that happen 10,000 times per day.

Research states medication alone does not have the best outcomes. Combined counseling plus medication have shown best outcomes per Psychiatric journals.

We can rehabilitate individuals who are in pain if as a society we make it a priority. Children in pain are a product of families in pain and society must step up and mandate counseling services at the grade school level to prevent innocent deaths and bloodshed. Mandating counseling at work for unhealthy behaviors as well is important.

There are a number of therapy ,counseling, and Psychology treatments that are evidence based therapies that therapists use for anxiety: ptsd, phobia, separation anxiety, situational anxiety, generalized anxiety, ADHD, depression, behavioral issues and more for children, teens and adults. Lifeworksaz.com has a great deal of experience working in this area as well as in other areas. These therapy techniques teach tools that one can use throughout a life time for life stressors. Lifeworksaz provides individual counseling for youth as well as family counseling and parenting through this expertise and experience and rapport using a strength based positive connection change is likely to happen .

Research shows mental health, sleep, and behavior are less than balanced when playing violent video games and too much of anything is unhealthy. Children are physically unhealthy, having increased anxiety, increased depression, increase in diabetes and sedentary behavior is a big piece of this equation. Do you really want your child shooting and killing people in a video game all day long?

Millions of boys could be at increased risk of  mental illnesses in later life through playing action video games such as Call of Duty or Assassin’s Creed, according to new research.

Researchers say players navigate the screen using a key area of the brain called the caudate nucleus, which leads to loss of grey matter in the hippocampus.

The Canadian team said if action gamers have less grey matter, as people who rely on the caudate nucleus normally do, then they may be more prone to mental illness.

The bottom line regarding I-phone games, video games, and TV is that more than one hour-2hours per day is not healthy for your child. Research has correlated: aggression, Violence,, Insomnia, anxiety , and Depression connected to screen time. Poor academic outcomes and failing grades as well.

Children and teens are texting, sexting, instagraming, playing phone video games late into the morning when they should be sleeping. They are exhausted and their anxious and depressed mood is a result many times of lack of quality sleep. Youth are falling a sleep in class and can not focus and or learn new information.

This sets up a spiral of problems: anger and mood disorders toward parents, violence that is modeled through excess violent video games, in ability to sleep because screen time tricks the child’s brain to thinking it is day time and their mind does not set itself up to sleep.

Parents become frustrated with the child’s school performance and their behavior. Most children become “drunk” with power because they have infinite : social, texting, gaming, comedy, movies, entertainment with their I phones and screens.

Children and teens use snap chat to send inappropriate messages as well as x rated photos to peers and they disappear in ten seconds however obviously someone can get a copy of this inappropriate information.

There are many tools parents can use to modify behavior and change your child’s behavior, Grades, communication, and health.

Below is a research article I wrote on video games and violence it had over twenty five books used to cite it.

Most parents view video games as” entertainment.” their content is not taken as seriously as that of the passive act of watching TV. After all, most adults today grew up playing pong, pac man, asteroids, space invaders, or defender. Nevertheless, what many parents might not realize is that the challenge for many players today is to rack up points by killing prostitutes after having sex with them. Video games have not only become more violent, the characters have become more real, and the effects that they are having on society, specifically women is shocking. Video games have engaged the “once spectator” to actively participate in addictive violence. Recent studies have undoubtedly concluded that the violence and negative reinforcements in video games have not only successfully promoted violence against women by desensitization, but they have also increased aggressive behavior in children and teenagers to a level that has devastated the lives of many.

Many people are shocked to discover that the video game industry is larger than the film industry. The Interactive Digital Software Association reported that video games are “the fastest growing entertainment industry in America, surpassing books, records and movie box offices combined” (Berger 2002).The video game industry recently has generated 93 Billion dollars annually in 2013.In 1997 the video and computer game industry generated 16 Billion dollars in economic activity, this does not include computer and video game hardware sales. In the year 2000 it became a 20 billion dollar industry and is still growing considerably (Berger, 2002). IDSA also reported at the time sixty five percent of all Americans age six and older, or about 145 million people, play computer and video games (Berger 2002). The video game industry has increased exponentially since 2002. It is stated that video games, many times is the initial experience that children have with the computer/ technology world. So, if boys tend to be the primary target of the industry, which, they are, what effect does it have on girls.

If a child’s interest begins with games. most common computer games involve violence and aggressive themes have the effect of turning girls away from the computers in general. This is one way of keeping women out of power. After all, these are male dominated industries. Since computer literacy is essential in most jobs, people who are exposed to computers earlier in life have an obvious advantage. The boys who outnumber the girls in gaming, will be the men who out-number the women in the business world. This may lead to the girls becoming less interested in the world of computers as a career. Girls are not the only ones who are not enamored with video games. Parents are unaware of the violence that is being reinforced hundreds of thousands of times in their child’s brain.

Teenagers report that 95 percent of the time their parents do not check the ratings or the content of video games being purchased. Ninety percent of parents do not set limits on how much time their child can play video games.

We have seen an alarming increase in violence and school shooting. Shootings at Paucah, Kentucky, Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Littleton, Colorado were all cases where the shooters were students who habitually played violent video games. The bloody game Doom was Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold’s favorite game ( they wounded 23 and killed 13). Two studies examined violent video games effect on aggression related variables. The first study found that real-live violent video games are positively related to aggressive behavior and delinquency. the second study showed lab exposure to a violent video game increased aggressive thoughts and and behaviors. The results are in line with the General Affective Aggression Model, which predicts that exposure to violent video games will increase aggressive behavior in both the short term and the long term ( Calvert, Jordan, Cocking 2000)

A study of about 329 children and media violence was done over a 21 year period by L. Rowell Huesmann at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research. Girls and boys participated. This was one of the few studies that followed children into adulthood, which enabled researchers to gauge the long term effects of televised violence. Men in the top twenty percent on childhood exposure to violence were twice as likely as adults to have pushed, grabbed or shoved their wives. The women who scored in the 20 percent were twice as likely to throw something at their husbands. the study concluded that both girls and boys exposed to a lot of televison violence have a greater risk of spousal abuse and criminal offenses, no matter what they were like as children( Ritter, M., 2003). This study was based specifically on violence, however, most video games today are also including very graphic sexually violent images, which are destroying women and the morality of society as a whole.

The effects of viewing sexually violent images was researched and discussed by Ed Donnerstein, Dean and Professor of Communications at the University of California, Santa Barbara.  In his study, young adults ages 18-20 were shown a one hour documentary on battered women. After watching the film, the viewers showed less empathy toward the victims. They lowered their evaluation on the level of injury that the women received. They also under estimated the level of pain that must have been experienced. Both men and women were more likely to display indifference toward the victims. many blamed the rape on the ladies and believed that the women brought it to themselves. It is clear that watching these images are negative, however, the video game industry uses reinforcement tactics to hook children, teens, and adults making the game, not just interactive but addictive. Violence in America and against women has increased since the rise of video games across the country. These games are highly addictive and use many psychological reinforcement principles to hook children to wanting to continue to play. Many youth are playing video games 40 hours a week.

Violence was declared the number one health problem for women in 1992, sadly, recent studies have concluded that the problem is not decreasing ( Violence, Women, and  the Media, 2000). For example , consider the following statistics: the single major cause of injury to American women is domestic violence, exceeding gang violence, muggings, murders, and accidents ( The Commonwealth Fund, 1993). In the US, one women is raped every two minutes (National Crime Victimization survey, 1996). One in every seven women has been raped in her life time (Daily News, November 18,1998). Also, In America a woman is physically abused every nine seconds ( The Commonwealth Fund, July 1993). In emergency rooms more than one third of American women have suffered physical or sexual abuse ( Sternberg S. 1999) And a staggering thirty percent of women murdered in the US are killed by their husbands, ex-husbands or boyfriends ( national Crime Victimization Survey,1996). Researchers have found that the way the media depicts women influences how women are viewed and treated in society( Violence, Women, and the Media, 2000). For example, many video games are very degrading and often depict women as victims of violence. Also many video games also portray women as sex objects.

In the year 2000 half of the top selling video games contained negative images about girls according to (Children, Now 2000). For example unrealistic body images, high pitched voices,fainting, violence, and provocative sexuality is promoted.

Twenty eight percent of games in a study show women as inferior and powerless. In games like Grand Theft Auto boys are taught women can be treated brutally and this is reinforced in the video game.

Players of Grand Theft Auto get rewarded if they kick and kill the prostitute to death after they have sex with her. Sounds shocking, but it is true and is one of the most popular video games among children and teenagers in the US. After playing for 4-8 hours a day, these acts of violence begin to seem normal.

In the recent shooting at UCSB the 22 year old male stated many phrases in his you tube video regarding slaughtering women and others. He also stated that video games were a way for him to avoid: rejection, loneliness, humiliation, depression, and pain from not having a girlfriend and not having what he wanted sexually and in  relationships. The UCSB shooter mimicked many specific phrases from the video game World Of War Craft relating to specific violence and rage. The UCSB shooter also played: Diablo, and Halo as well as many other video games.

Anders Breivik, the right-wing extremist who has confessed to killing 77 people during a murder spree in Norway last summer, played the violent computer game World of Warcraft nearly seven hours a day for several consecutive months before his attack, prosecutors say.

Breivik, 33, already known to have a long history with the online role-playing game, was particularly absorbed by it between November 2010 and February 2011, when he played for an average of 6 hours and 50 minutes per day, according to prosecutors.

Two decades of research had shown that repeated exposure to violence blunts emotional reactions and makes people less likely to help others in need ( Levine, 1996). Perfectly normal people no longer recognize violence because it is so prevalent in the media. People grow numb to violence with repeated exposure via media. People become less responsive to human pain and begin to lose awareness of what it means to be human.

Before the Vietnam War, fewer than 20 percent of soldiers on the front lines would actually fire at the enemy, however, with games such as Doom used as conditioning tools fdor the soldiers, the US military kill rate increased to (0 percent in Vietnam. With video games, our military scientifically overcame the soldier’s innate resistance to killing ( game Over, 2000) Violent video games are the mental equivalent of putting an assault rifle in the hands of every American child. By sitting mindlessly, killing countless thousands of fellow members of their own species without any ramifications or repercussions, operant conditioning concepts transfer immediately when the individual gets a real weapon in their hand and are being taught violence. The recent school shootings in 2008 and 2007 serve as an example of a link between video games and heightened aggressive behaviors.

For the video game child/ teenager or gamer, beating a previous high score, or winning a free game, or having sex with a prostitute is all part of Skinnerian reinforcement. behavior that is followed by reinforcement will increase in frequency. In short, video games that make a child or teen or adult feel good will be played again and again. A partial reinforcement schedule will lead to behavior that occurs more often with and is more resilient to extinction than does a continuous reinforcement schedule. These two effects of partial reinforcement produce what is considered addictive behavior. These irregular schedules of reinforcement are in part, what cause these video games to be so exciting and desirable. Tis kind of reinforcement, which causes addictive behaviors can explain why their is an increase in the video game industry as a whole.

The AMA states that anywhere in the world where TV appears, 15 years later the murder rate doubles. Ten thousand murders per year, 70,000 rapes, and 700,000 assaults. We must consider the impact of violent video games on the minds and behaviors of our society. The evidence is clear violence breeds more violence in the majority of situations.

Many children are having challenges sleeping at night and have great anxiety. The children report that their nightmares are specific to the video games they are playing. Research shows a lack of sleep impacts: mood, anger, depression, and behavior as well as performance.

The 93 Billion dollar Video game industry must be taken seriously. It must start with education and healthy parenting. It must come with boundaries and limitations. It must come with healthy communication and listening to children and teenagers. It must come from healthy role modeling from parents. The video game industry is no different than access to violence on TV or on the internet. Violence and abuse physically, mentally, emotionally, and sexually is not ok!

There are 100’s of violent video games out there one is: Call of Duty Black Ops:This gritty, extremely violent military first-person shooter (pictured above) involves constant killing using realistic weapons, with blood and gore pouring across the screen during more intense scenes. Cinematic sequences can be even more dramatic and graphic, with soldiers and civilians alike dying in horrible ways, including graphic melee kills, people burning to death, civilians killed in crossfire, torture, and a shipping container filled with rotting corpses. In one scene, the player steps into the shoes of a villain and goes on a murderous rampage against soldiers, the screen turning red with blood rage as he takes damage. This M-rated game also has frequent profanity, some sexual themes, and drug use.

Do you want your child assaulting woman? Killing prostitutes? Raping people? This is what is going on in many video games above and beyond brutal violence.

Do we really want your children actively involved and engaged in violent games daily; the same type of games that the US military uses to increase kill rates at war? Garbage in garbage out. We must find healthy activities that create health and balance for our youth and violent video games is not the solution.

Lifeworksaz counseling works with the parents as well as the child to modify unhealthy behaviors and create success at: school, socially,  build self esteem, manage anger,academically, health wise, and other aspects of life.

Anxiety disorders are very common in children and teens. Anxiety Disorders include: Post Traumatic Stress Disorders PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorders, Phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders, Social Anxiety, Panic Attacks, separation anxiety, and more.

Girls brains are being re-wired via internet advertising, TV advertising, social media advertising and a high frequency of being bombarded with unrealistic body shapes and sizes. Feelings of inadequacy, unattractiveness, and low self esteem are through comparing themselves to digitally enhanced models and women whom are under normal body weight and normal BMI that is thrown in girls faces day in and day out. Self loathing, shame, and self harm are on the rise do to internet cyber bullying, sexting and more.

Girls must find intrinsic value in themselves and set limits on how often and how frequent they watch media. Parents can empower their children and role model healthy media habits as well as develop their self esteem through: school clubs, activities, music, dance, gymnastics, sports, creativity, arts, healthy habits, healthy eating habits, philanthropy, community service, helping others and more and less focus on the physical body alone.

Research from national Mental Health statistics show that twenty percent of children, adolescent, teenagers and young adults suffered some degree of depression and anxiety last year.

Photos that are posted on social media: facebook, twitter, Instagram, snap chat, texting that not only go to one peer tend to go viral through schools and nationally as well as internationally. Teens can be extremely cruel making negative condescending comments on the photo which many times is devastating to the youth. Many youth have spiraled into depression and have severe anxiety about themselves and their body image. Many avoid attending school or come down with physical symptoms to avoid seeing peers at school. Photos sent around of peers are rated from 1-10 and this can have severe psychological impact on children and teens when a rating is less than favorable, There have been millions of cases where youth are bullied via texting or email and those youth that did not feel able to cope have committed suicide a horrible tragedy in our society.

But the photos can provoke extremely unkind comments, particularly if unflattering images of someone are sent round behind their backs.

There are many web sites where photos are posted with a question below. For example someone posts a photo and asks if this person is Beautiful or ugly? Imagine a young child or teen receiving a text that has thousands of people voting on them without your knowledge that has cruel and spiteful results. Cyber bullying is on the rise at it is pervasive. Teens hide behind their faux accounts to terrorize and victimize youth and peers. Parents must be monitoring these accounts to prevent becoming a victim or victimizing other teen girls.

Creating a balance and setting boundaries are vital in todays 24-7 smart phone, ipad, ipod, hand held, instagram, twitter, facebook, and video game’s.

Anxiety, depression,Social skills, low self esteem, failing grades, entitlement:, and mood disorders are on the rise in exponential ways in Scottsdale, Phoenix, Chandler, Goodyear, Tempe Arizona and throughout the USA via research studies.

Experts on adolescent media addiction shows that people who game an average of 25 or more hours per week show signs of addiction, such as loss of awareness of time spent, persistence despite harm to social, family, or academic pursuits, tolerance, increased cravings, withdrawal, and loss of impulse control. The bigger problem is that it is impacting their: mood including anxiety, depression, and anger as well as behavior and cognition. Social skills, self esteem and mood disorders are on the rise in exponential ways.

Many parents are afraid to set boundaries with their children. The lack of boundaries impact a child’s mood( anxious, angry, depressed) as well as unhealthy behavior daily.

Many of today’s parents don’t want to see their children unhappy, and therefore are creating a “monster” behaviorally. A lack of boundaries is very often what leads to behavior that is seen as disrespectful. Setting boundaries with empathy and respect doesn’t lead to an entitled child. Teaching boundaries empowers your teen or child to make mature decisions and teaches respect and healthy behaviors for life. Teaching your children about; respect, accountability, healthy behaviors, and setting limits that are firm and with love is vital for your child’s mental and physical health.

Children and teens come into my office and are playing video games, playing you tube, watching Netflix, playing on their smart phones, texting, snap chatting, instagramming watching tv, gaming on i-phone, you tubing a majority of their day.

The problem that parents convey is that their child is not doing homework. Their child is not performing well in school. I have many children and teens that average 25 hours plus a week of media and gaming. The child or teen has very poor social skills and poor interpersonal relationships. The adolescent is not developing his social skills and they are important for life: relationships, family, jobs, careers, and more. Research shows that social skills is vital for career success as well as happiness in adults lives.

Furthermore most children and adolescents are either overweight and obese or do not participate in physical exercise. Physical exercise is vital for mental health: depression, anxiety, mood disorders and more. Your child should be exercising at least 1.5 hours 5 days a week. Experts show that physical exercise helps manage mental health disorders; bipolar, depression, anxiety, anger and more.

Adolescents and children are also having challenges sleeping do to insomnia that is infused through electronics. Your child’s brain can not shut off because the light emission from the: smart phone, tv, computer, video games, etc tricks your child’s brain and the brain things it is daylight and we should be up in the day and obviously sleep at night. Sleep experts show a lot of research to support this fact.

A combination of child and teen therapy and coaching with parenting and family counseling is an evidence based approach to make desired changes emotionally and behaviorally and to increase healthy dynamics, healthy life skills, improve social skills, boost academics, and create balance and health for your family and child.

Stress and anxiety takes many forms and can present itself in many different situations. It can impact social situations, friendships,academics and work. Anxiety can cause someone to avoid meeting new friends or moving into a new situation that is better for the individual however the anxiety is keeping the person stuck. Depression and anxiety are close relatives however you can see how not taking action on something you desire can impact your mood in a negative way. Children suffer from low self esteem when they can not perform in social situations or avoid joining new organizations and clubs due to stress or anxiety issues they are suffering from. Many children and teens become pre occupied with video games and avoid “real” social interactions as much as possible.

Many children and teens take medications however the medications do not help your child build skills and tools to manage anxiety, panic, social anxiety and more. Counseling and therapy at Lifeworks AZ will do this and when panic and anxiety arises your child will feel confident in their ability to move through the stressor and each their goals.

create life long success. Many children have issues at school, and avoid social situations, clubs, sports, and making new friends due to anxiety.

Anxiety can impact sleep and lack of sleep or interrupted sleep

will negatively impact mood, energy, performance and more. Anxiety is seen weekly in college football where great athletes get stressed out and : drop wide open passes, mishandle punts, miss field goals that are made in practice, throw interceptions, mis assignments,

miss standard tackles, make mental mistakes that impact the team in a negative manner.

Some common forms of anxiety: social anxiety, generalized anxiety,

separation anxiety, performance anxiety, panic attacks, phobias

and more. All of these can be managed through various tools that are

evidence based.

Lifeworksaz.com therapy, coaching , and counseling and therapy teaches tools that will help

manage anxiety and stress. It is a collaborative effort to help

with each child or adults anxiety challenge. An initial assessment is

done to look at all aspects of ones life from birth till present:

including academics, development, parenting,self esteem, family,

medical, social, behavioral, emotional, mental, mood, stressors,

positive strengths of each individual and more.

After the assessment David will create unique service plan to address

areas of concern. There are many great research based tools

that are taught depending on the challenged areas. Some evidence based tools that have great success treating anxiety are:

cognitive behavioral therapy, EMDR, Progressive Relaxation Tools, CBT Mindfulness tools. David has a history of success using the above mentioned skills. David also has a history of success working with children and teens that have anxiety. David uses play therapy, ar

therapy, sports therapy games, talk therapy combined with CBT and moreto facilitate rapport and create desired change.

If you go to lifeworksaz.com therapy and counseling you can read testimonials from parents and adults that suffered from anxiety as well as many

professionals and experts that have observed David and his work.

Children and teens have stress daily. Many children have anxiety and the real question is if your child is missing out on life’s opportunities due to one’s anxiety. Anxiety can be managed and there are many tools your child can learn to regulate stress, anxiety, as well as behaviors. There are a few causes of anxiety that we know: genetics are a big component, traumatic or upsetting events can trigger anxiety, how one was raised and past events that are impacting your child today.

One research and evidence based therapy I use that has great results is cognitive behavioral counseling or therapy. I work with each individual child and help them understand the connection between our thoughts, feelings, and our behavior that we act upon daily. Automatic unconscious thoughts that evolve can spark anxiety. Learning to become aware of unhealthy and twisted thoughts that do not have validity or truth is taught in a manner that is easy for your child to understand. As we learn to question these unhealthy thoughts we can then change them to healthy positive thoughts and overcome our anxiety.

There are two ways of looking at our thoughts. The first is to find out if our thoughts are accurate? The second way is to to see if the way we are thinking is leading us toward avoidance or toward a value system of ours. After your child learns to identify distorted thoughts he or she can learn alternative ways to help move through the anxiety and face the situation that is: scary, fearful etc.

There are a number of research based tools that I use including behavior modification, dot, EMDR, exposure therapy, imagery, mindfulness and more that each child can learn and can feel safe and secure and at peace when anxiety arises. These tools can be used for: panic, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, phobias and more.

Facing your child’s fear head on is vital to help him or her feel confident and master anxiety.Learning these skills and more will help build self esteem and will free our chip up to embrace his or her life and create a happy and healthy life.,

Children and teens with anxiety disorders experience excessive fear, worry, or discomfort that interferes with their daily lives.

Anxiety Diosrders that are commonly recognized include: Phobias, Generalized Anxiety Disorders, Panic Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Cognitive behavioral therapy has been effective in treating anxiety disorders. Individuals learn to understand how their thinking patterns contribute to their symptoms and how to change their thoughts so that symptoms are less likely to occur.