1 00:00:03,440 --> 00:00:05,519 Speaker 1: It's the Happy Families podcast. 2 00:00:05,920 --> 00:00:07,160 Speaker 2: It's the podcast for the. 3 00:00:07,160 --> 00:00:11,200 Speaker 1: Time poor parent who just wants answers Now. Last month 4 00:00:11,440 --> 00:00:14,840 Speaker 1: was Mental Health Awareness Month, and during the month we 5 00:00:14,880 --> 00:00:17,520 Speaker 1: spent a lot of time talking about the big challenges 6 00:00:17,520 --> 00:00:20,360 Speaker 1: that families are having, especially parents with their children when 7 00:00:20,360 --> 00:00:24,079 Speaker 1: it comes to mental health challenges. One thing that we 8 00:00:24,120 --> 00:00:26,040 Speaker 1: didn't talk about at all, because I've been waiting for 9 00:00:26,079 --> 00:00:28,400 Speaker 1: this conversation, even though it's around about six weeks over 10 00:00:28,480 --> 00:00:32,240 Speaker 1: dune now was a conversation about anxiety. We talked about depression, 11 00:00:32,280 --> 00:00:34,400 Speaker 1: we talked about ADHD, we talked about autism, we talked 12 00:00:34,400 --> 00:00:38,040 Speaker 1: about parents who are cracking and experiencing burnout. But we 13 00:00:38,080 --> 00:00:40,839 Speaker 1: didn't touch on anxiety. And that's because I knew that 14 00:00:40,920 --> 00:00:45,480 Speaker 1: the Royal Children's Hospital Health Pole, the RCCH National Child 15 00:00:45,520 --> 00:00:49,239 Speaker 1: Health Pole about anxiety in children was coming out. It 16 00:00:49,280 --> 00:00:51,080 Speaker 1: actually did come out a while ago, but it's been 17 00:00:51,120 --> 00:00:53,040 Speaker 1: really hard for me to find the space and the 18 00:00:53,080 --> 00:00:58,040 Speaker 1: time to track down Doctor Anthea Rhodes. Anthea is a pediatrician, 19 00:00:58,080 --> 00:01:02,240 Speaker 1: a researcher, a child health advocate, and she runs the 20 00:01:02,680 --> 00:01:06,200 Speaker 1: RCH Health Pole and has been on the podcast a 21 00:01:06,240 --> 00:01:08,760 Speaker 1: few times to talk about its findings. The latest one 22 00:01:08,959 --> 00:01:12,480 Speaker 1: was all about anxiety in our kids, and doctor Anthea 23 00:01:12,560 --> 00:01:15,240 Speaker 1: Rhodes joins me right now to talk about the poll. 24 00:01:15,319 --> 00:01:17,720 Speaker 1: Great to have you along, Anthea. The poll found that 25 00:01:17,800 --> 00:01:21,200 Speaker 1: parents are reporting that half of their kids are experiencing 26 00:01:21,280 --> 00:01:24,600 Speaker 1: problems with anxiety. Was as much of a surprise to you. 27 00:01:25,360 --> 00:01:27,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, great to be here justin and talk about this 28 00:01:27,840 --> 00:01:30,800 Speaker 2: topic today, It was not really a surprise. And I 29 00:01:30,880 --> 00:01:32,800 Speaker 2: think as a parent as you are, and you know 30 00:01:32,920 --> 00:01:35,400 Speaker 2: most of the listeners out there will be, and also 31 00:01:35,440 --> 00:01:39,160 Speaker 2: as a doctor, anxiety is everywhere at the moment. That's 32 00:01:39,280 --> 00:01:42,959 Speaker 2: the sense we're getting, and doing this survey and asking 33 00:01:43,040 --> 00:01:45,039 Speaker 2: parents out there to tell us about what's happening in 34 00:01:45,080 --> 00:01:49,440 Speaker 2: their homes has really confirmed that. So around half of 35 00:01:49,840 --> 00:01:53,680 Speaker 2: parents reported that their children had had some challenges with anxiety. 36 00:01:54,400 --> 00:01:56,680 Speaker 3: Most of those children had what would. 37 00:01:56,400 --> 00:01:59,200 Speaker 2: Be called moderate challenges or parents might have described it 38 00:01:59,240 --> 00:02:02,600 Speaker 2: as somewhat of a problem, with a smaller proportion around 39 00:02:02,600 --> 00:02:05,640 Speaker 2: twelve percent having a really big challenge with anxiety. 40 00:02:05,840 --> 00:02:08,799 Speaker 1: So, Anthew, this was a pole that was conducted exclusively 41 00:02:08,800 --> 00:02:11,360 Speaker 1: in Victoria. Yes, to what extent do you think that 42 00:02:11,440 --> 00:02:17,040 Speaker 1: this is a function of the exacerbated and significant lockdowns 43 00:02:17,040 --> 00:02:19,560 Speaker 1: at Victoria experience compared to much of the rest of 44 00:02:19,639 --> 00:02:19,959 Speaker 1: the nation. 45 00:02:20,760 --> 00:02:23,919 Speaker 2: Look, it's really difficult to say exactly you know, which 46 00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:28,280 Speaker 2: elements caused what, but we definitely know from other research 47 00:02:28,440 --> 00:02:31,560 Speaker 2: as well that lockdown, some of which we did here 48 00:02:31,639 --> 00:02:34,040 Speaker 2: through the Health Pole where we looked at experiences in 49 00:02:34,120 --> 00:02:38,440 Speaker 2: Victoria compared to experiences in other states and territories in Australia, 50 00:02:38,480 --> 00:02:41,520 Speaker 2: where the restrictions were different For the most part, they 51 00:02:41,560 --> 00:02:45,200 Speaker 2: were shorter and less severe, and we saw that impacts 52 00:02:45,200 --> 00:02:49,200 Speaker 2: were greater in Victoria. So there's definitely a dose relationship 53 00:02:49,240 --> 00:02:53,239 Speaker 2: if you like, related to lockdown that is probably playing 54 00:02:53,280 --> 00:02:56,560 Speaker 2: out here for Victorian families. But that said, there are 55 00:02:56,560 --> 00:02:59,800 Speaker 2: lots of other factors that look to have contributed to 56 00:03:00,400 --> 00:03:03,600 Speaker 2: beyond just the lockdown. So for families who are not 57 00:03:03,720 --> 00:03:07,360 Speaker 2: in Victoria, there were still a lot of limitations around 58 00:03:07,400 --> 00:03:10,560 Speaker 2: travel perhaps and the ability to see and get support 59 00:03:10,680 --> 00:03:14,360 Speaker 2: from family members, you know, into state or perhaps overseas. 60 00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:18,000 Speaker 2: There was a lot of worry and anxiety and anticipation 61 00:03:18,080 --> 00:03:22,320 Speaker 2: about possible lockdowns, which in itself was stressful even if 62 00:03:22,400 --> 00:03:25,760 Speaker 2: that lockdown didn't you know, eventuate, And of course there 63 00:03:25,760 --> 00:03:27,400 Speaker 2: were experiences. 64 00:03:26,720 --> 00:03:29,040 Speaker 3: That were financial for a lot of families. 65 00:03:28,600 --> 00:03:32,360 Speaker 2: Too, and one in four to five families in Australia 66 00:03:32,400 --> 00:03:36,080 Speaker 2: had some sort of financial pressure related to the pandemic 67 00:03:36,120 --> 00:03:39,400 Speaker 2: and the restrictions, so change of work, loss of income 68 00:03:39,840 --> 00:03:42,480 Speaker 2: and those sorts of things all feed into anxiety in 69 00:03:42,560 --> 00:03:43,880 Speaker 2: households that you. 70 00:03:43,800 --> 00:03:46,120 Speaker 3: Know, children live, feel and experience. 71 00:03:46,280 --> 00:03:49,640 Speaker 2: So lots of things about the pandemic, not just the 72 00:03:49,680 --> 00:03:53,120 Speaker 2: lockdown itself, but all of those things having an effect, and. 73 00:03:53,040 --> 00:03:57,800 Speaker 1: Those those financial challenges have just shifted with the inflation 74 00:03:58,200 --> 00:04:00,360 Speaker 1: issues that we're dealing with, the interest rate and that 75 00:04:00,400 --> 00:04:02,360 Speaker 1: kind of thing. Anthea, I want to ask you a 76 00:04:02,440 --> 00:04:07,640 Speaker 1: question about the overall findings here with anxiety from a 77 00:04:07,800 --> 00:04:11,320 Speaker 1: parenting point of view. What are you finding in relation 78 00:04:11,440 --> 00:04:15,120 Speaker 1: to parents understanding what anxiety is and how it's affecting 79 00:04:15,160 --> 00:04:17,920 Speaker 1: their children, or even knowing what they should be looking 80 00:04:18,000 --> 00:04:21,719 Speaker 1: for in children. I mean, anxiety has kind of become 81 00:04:21,720 --> 00:04:24,120 Speaker 1: the common cold of mental illness. It used to be depression, 82 00:04:24,160 --> 00:04:29,080 Speaker 1: but nowadays it's anxiety. And sometimes I meet parents who 83 00:04:29,360 --> 00:04:32,479 Speaker 1: commits that children have anxiety because they're worried because they're 84 00:04:32,480 --> 00:04:36,440 Speaker 1: having a rough old time. But obviously there's a massive 85 00:04:36,440 --> 00:04:40,599 Speaker 1: difference between being worried, being apprehensive having some anxiety and 86 00:04:40,680 --> 00:04:42,680 Speaker 1: having an anxiety disorder, What did you. 87 00:04:42,600 --> 00:04:42,960 Speaker 3: Find in it? 88 00:04:44,200 --> 00:04:49,039 Speaker 2: Absolutely so anxiety itself is a normal thing. So it's 89 00:04:49,240 --> 00:04:52,680 Speaker 2: a type of worry that children and adults will experience 90 00:04:52,720 --> 00:04:55,240 Speaker 2: in response to stress. And that is something that we 91 00:04:55,320 --> 00:04:58,200 Speaker 2: have all the time in different ways. You know, every 92 00:04:58,279 --> 00:05:01,400 Speaker 2: day there will be elements ofurry or fear or anxiety 93 00:05:01,839 --> 00:05:05,160 Speaker 2: and responding to those is part of how we develop 94 00:05:05,160 --> 00:05:07,960 Speaker 2: and it's a healthy thing. So it is important for 95 00:05:08,080 --> 00:05:11,599 Speaker 2: us not to feel like overcall anxiety or decide that 96 00:05:11,720 --> 00:05:16,440 Speaker 2: every little worry represents a big problem. The challenge, as 97 00:05:16,440 --> 00:05:20,120 Speaker 2: if described, is where do we understand that line that 98 00:05:20,320 --> 00:05:23,800 Speaker 2: means those worries or anxieties have become more of a 99 00:05:23,839 --> 00:05:27,920 Speaker 2: problem and what we would describe in a medical sense 100 00:05:27,920 --> 00:05:29,840 Speaker 2: as a disorder or a condition. 101 00:05:30,640 --> 00:05:32,520 Speaker 3: And that's really hard for parents. 102 00:05:32,760 --> 00:05:35,400 Speaker 2: And we actually found that, you know, that was something 103 00:05:35,440 --> 00:05:37,200 Speaker 2: that about a third of parent said that they were 104 00:05:37,240 --> 00:05:42,440 Speaker 2: not confident about. They wouldn't know when those worries and 105 00:05:42,520 --> 00:05:46,400 Speaker 2: fears actually represented a problem that they might need to 106 00:05:46,440 --> 00:05:50,960 Speaker 2: seek help for. So the really important thing, and that 107 00:05:51,040 --> 00:05:53,320 Speaker 2: I talk about all the time with families is thinking 108 00:05:53,440 --> 00:05:54,360 Speaker 2: about function. 109 00:05:55,000 --> 00:05:58,320 Speaker 3: So that means getting on with the regular activities of life. 110 00:05:59,480 --> 00:06:03,400 Speaker 2: If you have anything affecting that, then you really do 111 00:06:03,680 --> 00:06:04,880 Speaker 2: have something of a problem. 112 00:06:05,040 --> 00:06:08,080 Speaker 3: So if we think about it for adults. 113 00:06:08,040 --> 00:06:10,960 Speaker 2: If an adult has worries or anxiety that mean they 114 00:06:11,160 --> 00:06:14,359 Speaker 2: aren't able to get to work, or perhaps they're not 115 00:06:14,440 --> 00:06:18,720 Speaker 2: able to socialize with other people, they're in the house 116 00:06:18,760 --> 00:06:22,120 Speaker 2: a lot, they're not interacting, or they're withdrawing from activities, 117 00:06:22,200 --> 00:06:24,200 Speaker 2: then we would say, oh, I think I'm worried. 118 00:06:23,920 --> 00:06:26,560 Speaker 3: About that person. You know, this might be becoming a problem 119 00:06:26,600 --> 00:06:26,920 Speaker 3: for them. 120 00:06:27,920 --> 00:06:30,280 Speaker 2: Very similarly, for kids, we have to think about, well, 121 00:06:30,320 --> 00:06:32,599 Speaker 2: what are their sort of essential functions. What do we 122 00:06:32,720 --> 00:06:35,440 Speaker 2: need and expect them to be able to do to 123 00:06:35,520 --> 00:06:39,320 Speaker 2: have a happy, healthy life. And that means interacting with 124 00:06:39,400 --> 00:06:42,520 Speaker 2: their friends, their peers, socializing. 125 00:06:42,920 --> 00:06:45,719 Speaker 3: That means getting to school or for younger children getting 126 00:06:45,720 --> 00:06:48,680 Speaker 3: to kindergarten, you know, being able to go and engage 127 00:06:48,720 --> 00:06:49,760 Speaker 3: and learn and thrive. 128 00:06:50,600 --> 00:06:53,960 Speaker 2: Being able to do that everyday, things like eat and sleep, 129 00:06:54,440 --> 00:06:58,080 Speaker 2: not perfectly every day, but enough that you don't feel 130 00:06:58,080 --> 00:07:00,440 Speaker 2: like this is affecting their ability to just get on 131 00:07:00,480 --> 00:07:04,200 Speaker 2: with life. So for families, I say, if these things 132 00:07:04,240 --> 00:07:07,080 Speaker 2: are affecting your child's ability to get on with life 133 00:07:07,640 --> 00:07:10,280 Speaker 2: and it's ongoing, you know, for more than at least 134 00:07:10,320 --> 00:07:12,880 Speaker 2: a period of a few weeks. Then that is a 135 00:07:12,920 --> 00:07:15,600 Speaker 2: sign that perhaps something more is going on there and 136 00:07:15,640 --> 00:07:17,119 Speaker 2: it's time to reach out for some help. 137 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:19,880 Speaker 1: What are kids most anxious about? 138 00:07:21,360 --> 00:07:25,320 Speaker 2: So in our study we ask specifically about school and 139 00:07:25,520 --> 00:07:28,760 Speaker 2: kindergarten environments, and this was one of the biggest sources 140 00:07:28,760 --> 00:07:33,040 Speaker 2: of anxiety that parents had noted. Now that might also 141 00:07:33,080 --> 00:07:36,040 Speaker 2: be because it's something that's more obvious. We know that 142 00:07:36,280 --> 00:07:39,240 Speaker 2: kids need to go to these places every day, and 143 00:07:39,360 --> 00:07:42,520 Speaker 2: if there's a challenge getting them there, it's really clear 144 00:07:42,880 --> 00:07:46,000 Speaker 2: we can't avoid it easily and it stands out as 145 00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:50,800 Speaker 2: an issue. So that separation for school or kindergarten is 146 00:07:50,960 --> 00:07:54,000 Speaker 2: one of the more commonly identified sources of anxiety that 147 00:07:54,080 --> 00:07:55,440 Speaker 2: parents told us about. 148 00:07:56,160 --> 00:07:58,320 Speaker 3: But then there are other things that might be an 149 00:07:58,360 --> 00:07:59,239 Speaker 3: issue as well. 150 00:07:59,320 --> 00:08:03,080 Speaker 2: So that could be interacting socially in other settings, so 151 00:08:03,080 --> 00:08:07,280 Speaker 2: perhaps sports or other extracurricular activities. It might be really 152 00:08:07,320 --> 00:08:10,520 Speaker 2: specific to an activity at home, so it might be 153 00:08:10,600 --> 00:08:13,840 Speaker 2: anxiety around eating, It might be anxiety around sleeping or 154 00:08:13,880 --> 00:08:16,640 Speaker 2: going to bed. For some children, they may have a 155 00:08:16,680 --> 00:08:20,160 Speaker 2: really specific phobia or a fear of something in particular 156 00:08:20,200 --> 00:08:22,760 Speaker 2: and that could be anything from spiders to heights to 157 00:08:23,160 --> 00:08:25,480 Speaker 2: small spaces, the sorts of things that we know about 158 00:08:25,520 --> 00:08:28,120 Speaker 2: as adults as well, so it can show up in 159 00:08:28,160 --> 00:08:31,560 Speaker 2: all kinds of ways. 160 00:08:32,760 --> 00:08:36,520 Speaker 1: When I see these data and compare it to some 161 00:08:36,559 --> 00:08:39,040 Speaker 1: recent research that came from actually it's not that recent now, 162 00:08:39,040 --> 00:08:41,120 Speaker 1: it's a little bit older, but I compare it to 163 00:08:41,160 --> 00:08:42,839 Speaker 1: some data that's come out from the Austrainians Should of 164 00:08:42,880 --> 00:08:48,360 Speaker 1: Health and Welfare. I think among children aged twelve to eighteen, 165 00:08:48,400 --> 00:08:52,400 Speaker 1: anxieties now the number one disorder, the number one thing 166 00:08:52,400 --> 00:08:55,880 Speaker 1: that's creating dysfunction in our kids. It's obviously a growing problem. 167 00:08:56,040 --> 00:08:57,600 Speaker 1: And this may be a little bit speculative. I don't 168 00:08:57,600 --> 00:08:59,600 Speaker 1: know if you collected data on this or not anthea, 169 00:08:59,640 --> 00:09:04,360 Speaker 1: But outside of issues related to going to school or 170 00:09:04,720 --> 00:09:08,520 Speaker 1: things related to the lockdown, what do you think is 171 00:09:08,640 --> 00:09:12,200 Speaker 1: driving the increase in anxiety? Like, why do you think 172 00:09:12,200 --> 00:09:14,679 Speaker 1: the kids today are more anxious than they were? I've 173 00:09:14,720 --> 00:09:16,720 Speaker 1: got a few hypotheses, but I'd love to know what 174 00:09:16,760 --> 00:09:18,880 Speaker 1: you think why kid's more anxious today than they were 175 00:09:19,360 --> 00:09:22,240 Speaker 1: ten years ago, twenty years ago, certainly forty or fifty 176 00:09:22,280 --> 00:09:22,680 Speaker 1: years ago. 177 00:09:23,040 --> 00:09:25,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, Well, we definitely haven't studied this, I'll put that 178 00:09:25,840 --> 00:09:28,520 Speaker 2: up front, and that would be quite a complex thing 179 00:09:28,600 --> 00:09:31,520 Speaker 2: to try and study, but there are lots of theories 180 00:09:31,520 --> 00:09:33,600 Speaker 2: there and there are some things that we do know 181 00:09:33,720 --> 00:09:37,120 Speaker 2: that might help us to understand. So what is it 182 00:09:37,200 --> 00:09:39,800 Speaker 2: that helps people to be less anxious? And you know, 183 00:09:39,960 --> 00:09:42,360 Speaker 2: are we doing enough of that? And that's one of 184 00:09:42,360 --> 00:09:44,559 Speaker 2: the things that we often think about and can reflect 185 00:09:44,600 --> 00:09:47,360 Speaker 2: on with kids and with adults as well, and that's 186 00:09:47,360 --> 00:09:52,560 Speaker 2: having time to be disconnected, to actually have some space mentally, 187 00:09:52,960 --> 00:09:56,640 Speaker 2: have enough sleep and rest and down time to actually, 188 00:09:56,920 --> 00:10:00,040 Speaker 2: if you like, switch the brain off and recharge so 189 00:10:00,080 --> 00:10:02,760 Speaker 2: that it's not operating at a really high baseline all 190 00:10:02,800 --> 00:10:05,120 Speaker 2: the time, meaning that little things can tip it up 191 00:10:05,160 --> 00:10:08,360 Speaker 2: into a state of anxiety. So what we really know 192 00:10:08,559 --> 00:10:11,120 Speaker 2: about our society now is that we're all, you know, 193 00:10:11,679 --> 00:10:13,200 Speaker 2: living at a very fast pace. 194 00:10:13,240 --> 00:10:16,280 Speaker 3: And that's happening to our kids as well. So from a. 195 00:10:16,200 --> 00:10:20,079 Speaker 2: Younger and younger age, they're connected digitally, you know, they're online, 196 00:10:20,120 --> 00:10:24,480 Speaker 2: they're communicating with friends, with family, they're thinking about things 197 00:10:24,520 --> 00:10:28,880 Speaker 2: all the time, and that adds a level of stress. 198 00:10:28,920 --> 00:10:31,480 Speaker 2: Not all stress is bad, but if you have a 199 00:10:31,559 --> 00:10:35,080 Speaker 2: constant high level of stress, then it makes it much 200 00:10:35,120 --> 00:10:37,960 Speaker 2: more likely that you might tip into a state where 201 00:10:38,080 --> 00:10:42,520 Speaker 2: things are becoming a problem. So I feel like it's probably, 202 00:10:42,760 --> 00:10:44,600 Speaker 2: you know, a reflection of a lot of things that 203 00:10:44,640 --> 00:10:46,400 Speaker 2: are happening in the way we live. 204 00:10:47,320 --> 00:10:48,320 Speaker 3: And then the other. 205 00:10:48,320 --> 00:10:50,120 Speaker 2: Theory, if you like, that's part of this, is that 206 00:10:50,160 --> 00:10:52,640 Speaker 2: we're maybe a bit better at recognizing things than we 207 00:10:52,760 --> 00:10:56,480 Speaker 2: used to be as well. So we hear about anxiety more, 208 00:10:56,800 --> 00:10:59,280 Speaker 2: and some of that might be because it is happening more, 209 00:10:59,520 --> 00:11:01,319 Speaker 2: and we've had lots of things happened in our lives, 210 00:11:01,360 --> 00:11:03,760 Speaker 2: as we've talked about in the last few years in particular, 211 00:11:04,000 --> 00:11:08,880 Speaker 2: that certainly have contributed to anxiety. But we're also better 212 00:11:08,920 --> 00:11:11,720 Speaker 2: at spotting it and talking about it and calling it out, 213 00:11:11,800 --> 00:11:13,600 Speaker 2: and so maybe some of it's always. 214 00:11:13,280 --> 00:11:16,240 Speaker 3: Been there, you know, but we haven't recognized it as much. 215 00:11:16,280 --> 00:11:20,559 Speaker 2: I reflect on, you know, someone I knew growing up, 216 00:11:20,840 --> 00:11:24,640 Speaker 2: for example, who used to have We grew up and 217 00:11:24,679 --> 00:11:26,880 Speaker 2: went to a school where we went to church, and 218 00:11:27,000 --> 00:11:29,560 Speaker 2: every time there was a church service, she would be 219 00:11:29,679 --> 00:11:32,080 Speaker 2: vomiting and sort of have to leave. 220 00:11:32,440 --> 00:11:34,240 Speaker 3: And there was this theory that. 221 00:11:34,200 --> 00:11:36,560 Speaker 2: Well, the idea was, oh, well, she's allergic to the 222 00:11:36,600 --> 00:11:39,000 Speaker 2: incense and that was why she had to go out 223 00:11:39,280 --> 00:11:41,439 Speaker 2: but in fact, as she got older, it became apparent 224 00:11:41,440 --> 00:11:44,440 Speaker 2: that she really had a fear of large crowds and 225 00:11:44,480 --> 00:11:45,600 Speaker 2: being in a small space. 226 00:11:46,040 --> 00:11:47,640 Speaker 3: But no one even thought about that. 227 00:11:47,800 --> 00:11:50,280 Speaker 2: Everyone decided it was something physical, and no one was 228 00:11:50,320 --> 00:11:54,240 Speaker 2: thinking about anxiety. This is a while ago, I'm getting on, 229 00:11:54,360 --> 00:11:56,439 Speaker 2: and I think we've really progressed a long. 230 00:11:56,280 --> 00:11:56,960 Speaker 3: Way since then. 231 00:11:57,040 --> 00:12:00,400 Speaker 2: But there are many situations like that where perhaps we 232 00:12:00,440 --> 00:12:04,040 Speaker 2: didn't spot the signs, and we're still not always able 233 00:12:04,080 --> 00:12:06,160 Speaker 2: to spot the signs, and we found that in our 234 00:12:06,240 --> 00:12:08,720 Speaker 2: study again, but I do think we're getting better at it. 235 00:12:08,800 --> 00:12:12,760 Speaker 2: So some of the increased anxiety is maybe us just 236 00:12:12,840 --> 00:12:15,680 Speaker 2: knowing that it's there, and some of it is probably 237 00:12:15,760 --> 00:12:17,040 Speaker 2: a result of the way we're living. 238 00:12:17,640 --> 00:12:19,080 Speaker 1: So I'm going to do a bit of a summary 239 00:12:19,080 --> 00:12:20,959 Speaker 1: of everything we've talked about. There's there's so many things 240 00:12:20,960 --> 00:12:23,800 Speaker 1: that we've touched on, and they matter. First off, around 241 00:12:23,840 --> 00:12:26,719 Speaker 1: about half of parents or half of children age three 242 00:12:26,760 --> 00:12:30,760 Speaker 1: and over, I should say, experiencing problems with anxiety. You 243 00:12:30,800 --> 00:12:32,480 Speaker 1: said that I think just over a third. I think 244 00:12:32,559 --> 00:12:35,120 Speaker 1: thirty six percent of experiencing somewhat of a problem, And 245 00:12:35,559 --> 00:12:37,400 Speaker 1: I think you said twelve percent of experiencing a big 246 00:12:37,440 --> 00:12:41,440 Speaker 1: problem with anxiety. That's kids over three. Second thing that 247 00:12:41,440 --> 00:12:43,680 Speaker 1: I heard you say that really stood out to me 248 00:12:43,800 --> 00:12:45,960 Speaker 1: is that a lot of parents are struggling to differentiate 249 00:12:46,000 --> 00:12:48,079 Speaker 1: between kids that are having a tough time being a 250 00:12:48,120 --> 00:12:51,440 Speaker 1: bit worried about something and actually experiencing anxiety and are 251 00:12:51,440 --> 00:12:54,560 Speaker 1: therefore not quite sure when they should seek help. And 252 00:12:54,600 --> 00:12:56,960 Speaker 1: the third big take home message that I've picked up 253 00:12:56,960 --> 00:13:01,160 Speaker 1: from our conversation is that we can reduce the likelihood 254 00:13:01,160 --> 00:13:04,840 Speaker 1: that children will experience dysfunction with anxiety because anxiety is 255 00:13:04,840 --> 00:13:06,840 Speaker 1: normal and healthy and it keeps us alive. 256 00:13:06,920 --> 00:13:07,000 Speaker 3: Right. 257 00:13:07,040 --> 00:13:09,360 Speaker 1: Anxiety is actually something that we need in our lives, 258 00:13:09,480 --> 00:13:11,240 Speaker 1: just not too much and not at the wrong times. 259 00:13:11,920 --> 00:13:16,080 Speaker 1: But what I'm really hearing you say is sleep, exercise, nature, 260 00:13:16,240 --> 00:13:21,480 Speaker 1: good relationships. Those things are shown empirically to be really, 261 00:13:21,520 --> 00:13:24,920 Speaker 1: really valuable. The last thing that I want to ask 262 00:13:24,960 --> 00:13:26,440 Speaker 1: you about, and I think this is probably the most 263 00:13:26,440 --> 00:13:29,360 Speaker 1: important thing of all, is if I've got a child 264 00:13:29,400 --> 00:13:31,880 Speaker 1: who's struggling, if I'm not sure if they've got anxiety 265 00:13:31,920 --> 00:13:34,360 Speaker 1: or not. I mean, they're still functioning, but they're maybe 266 00:13:34,360 --> 00:13:36,840 Speaker 1: a bit miserable, they're refusing to participate in some activities. 267 00:13:36,880 --> 00:13:39,120 Speaker 1: They require a lot of coaxing a lot of effort. 268 00:13:39,520 --> 00:13:44,440 Speaker 1: Maybe they're a bit emotional, perhaps withdrawn. Where do I 269 00:13:44,480 --> 00:13:46,240 Speaker 1: go for help? Where do I go to find out? 270 00:13:46,559 --> 00:13:48,320 Speaker 1: What advice would you give to parents if they just 271 00:13:48,400 --> 00:13:51,480 Speaker 1: want to either get some assurance that things are okay 272 00:13:51,520 --> 00:13:53,480 Speaker 1: and this is just a temperamental thing with the child, 273 00:13:53,600 --> 00:13:56,040 Speaker 1: or if they need to know that they are actually 274 00:13:56,040 --> 00:13:58,040 Speaker 1: dealing with something a little bit more serious. 275 00:13:58,800 --> 00:14:02,400 Speaker 2: Yeah, absolutely, Well, we've developed a great suite of resources 276 00:14:02,400 --> 00:14:05,680 Speaker 2: for this exact sort of situation, just an online so 277 00:14:06,200 --> 00:14:11,480 Speaker 2: rhdot org au forward slash anxiety where we've got some 278 00:14:11,600 --> 00:14:14,760 Speaker 2: resources there to help parents think through those possible signs 279 00:14:15,160 --> 00:14:18,200 Speaker 2: and also links to a number of really great online 280 00:14:18,280 --> 00:14:21,040 Speaker 2: programs which is often a good place for parents to 281 00:14:21,120 --> 00:14:24,320 Speaker 2: start that can support them with some strategies around that 282 00:14:24,400 --> 00:14:27,440 Speaker 2: anxiety and help them to recognize, you know, whether this 283 00:14:27,520 --> 00:14:29,240 Speaker 2: is more of a problem or something that they might 284 00:14:29,280 --> 00:14:32,040 Speaker 2: need more help for. The Other thing that I think 285 00:14:32,080 --> 00:14:35,320 Speaker 2: is really important is talking to your child's school teacher 286 00:14:35,480 --> 00:14:38,160 Speaker 2: or kindergarten teacher, or if they're younger and in perhaps 287 00:14:38,160 --> 00:14:40,720 Speaker 2: an early learning environment, the educator. 288 00:14:40,760 --> 00:14:43,480 Speaker 3: There is really helpful thing to do early as well. 289 00:14:43,920 --> 00:14:46,600 Speaker 2: They've often got a really good insight into how your 290 00:14:46,680 --> 00:14:51,520 Speaker 2: child is coping outside of home, and they understand kids 291 00:14:51,560 --> 00:14:54,400 Speaker 2: and kids development very well and can also often offer 292 00:14:54,480 --> 00:14:57,040 Speaker 2: some strategies and some thoughts about, you know, what you 293 00:14:57,120 --> 00:15:00,120 Speaker 2: might do next. Of course, the GP is also so 294 00:15:00,200 --> 00:15:04,200 Speaker 2: a fabulous place to start and where. 295 00:15:03,960 --> 00:15:06,160 Speaker 3: You need it being linked in then with a counselor 296 00:15:06,240 --> 00:15:08,840 Speaker 3: or a psychologist to get some strategies. 297 00:15:08,240 --> 00:15:11,360 Speaker 2: And I really would encourage parents to do that early 298 00:15:11,400 --> 00:15:14,600 Speaker 2: if they're feeling concerned, because the other really important thing 299 00:15:14,640 --> 00:15:17,080 Speaker 2: that we know is that if you can get a 300 00:15:17,160 --> 00:15:21,440 Speaker 2: few strategies happening early on, perhaps at the beginning of 301 00:15:21,480 --> 00:15:23,600 Speaker 2: some of those problems, it's going to be a lot 302 00:15:23,640 --> 00:15:27,800 Speaker 2: easier to actually improve things than if you wait a 303 00:15:27,840 --> 00:15:30,120 Speaker 2: long time and the problems more entrenched, it can be 304 00:15:30,200 --> 00:15:33,880 Speaker 2: much more difficult, you know, to undo patterns and learn 305 00:15:33,920 --> 00:15:36,520 Speaker 2: new skills to cope with that anxiety. 306 00:15:37,240 --> 00:15:39,840 Speaker 1: Really appreciate that advice. We will link to the to 307 00:15:39,920 --> 00:15:43,080 Speaker 1: the RCH Anxiety page in our show notes for parents 308 00:15:43,120 --> 00:15:45,840 Speaker 1: that want more information. Love talking to you. Thank you 309 00:15:45,880 --> 00:15:48,960 Speaker 1: so much for joining me. Doctor Antheero, It's pediatrician and 310 00:15:49,240 --> 00:15:53,680 Speaker 1: head of the RCH National Child Health Pole. Always always 311 00:15:53,720 --> 00:15:54,360 Speaker 1: love talking to you. 312 00:15:54,640 --> 00:15:56,640 Speaker 3: My pleasure. Thanks for having me on the show. 313 00:15:56,560 --> 00:16:00,200 Speaker 1: Justin, Yeah, wonderful, wonderful conversation. We love checking in with 314 00:16:00,440 --> 00:16:03,200 Speaker 1: doctor Rhodes and getting the latest from the National Childhealth 315 00:16:03,240 --> 00:16:04,880 Speaker 1: Pole when they come out, and will bring you more 316 00:16:04,920 --> 00:16:08,760 Speaker 1: evidence when we get the next data through. The Happy 317 00:16:08,760 --> 00:16:11,120 Speaker 1: Families podcast is produced by Justin Roland from Bridge Media. 318 00:16:11,120 --> 00:16:13,360 Speaker 1: Crag Bruce is our executive producer and for more information 319 00:16:13,400 --> 00:16:16,040 Speaker 1: about making your family happier, visit us at happy families 320 00:16:16,040 --> 00:16:16,760 Speaker 1: dot com dot au.