Transcript Life Stressors: Helping Families Cope March 18, 2010 Christina Carson-Sacco, Psy.D. www.TheCenterInWarrington.com Stress • American Psychological Association – November, 2009 Report “Stress In America” – Survey says.

Life Stressors:
Helping Families Cope
March 18, 2010
Christina Carson-Sacco, Psy.D.
www.TheCenterInWarrington.com
Stress
• American Psychological Association
– November, 2009 Report “Stress In America”
– Survey says Americans’ stress levels are too high
Parents are not accurate in their perceptions
of children’s stress levels
– Teens/tweens more likely to say stress had
increased in past year
– Parents were out of sync with regard to the
sources of worry for their children
– Children were more likely to report having physical
symptoms of stress than their parents felt they did
Adults and Stress:
• 75% of adults reported moderate to high levels of
stress in the past month
• 43% say they eat too much or unhealthy foods as
a result of stress
• Though 44% use exercise to relieve stress, many
report using sedentary activities
• Significant numbers of adults reported
experiencing symptoms related to stress in the
past month
• 70% received recommendations
for lifestyle/behavior changes
The Effects of Stress
– Some stress is good
– What chronic high levels of stress does to your
body
• Physical wear and tear
• Reduced immune system function
• Can impair the brain’s ability to block toxins
Warning Signs
• What to look for as ‘red flags’ with regard to
your child’s/your own stress level:
– Irritability, moodiness, withdrawal
– Sleeping too much/too little
– Eating too much/too little
– Physical complaints
– Getting into trouble
– Can’t have fun
– Substance use
Stress and the Family
• We are all connected
• Loss of connection is damaging
• Parents as role models
GAF
• Global Assessment of Functioning from
American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic
and Statistics Manual (DSM)
– From 1 to 100
– Common things can cause stress and reduce your
numbers on GAF (ranked by Holmes and Rahe)
– The key is that anything that happens can be
perceived as stressful
Coping Skills
• Talk to your child about stress
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Notice
Give them your full attention
Don’t try to fix it or intrude
Repeat back what you heard
Watch your own parental anxiety
Provide age-appropriate
Realize they may use other words than ‘stress,’ such as
‘annoyed,’ ‘confused,’ or ‘angry’
– Don’t discount their stress
More Coping Skills
• Prevention
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Insulate your child to stress
Start with the basics
Help your child problem solve
Teach them to express themselves
Teach them relaxation skills
Give them outlets
If you can, reduce some
Stay connected
Teach them how to ask for help
Your Own Coping Skills
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Be a role model
Monitor your moods
Make time for yourself
Prioritize
Set reasonable standards for yourself
Catch yourself if you have negative automatic
thought patterns
• Build and maintain your support network
Some Specifics
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The Holidays
Divorce
Taking care of our children, parents, selves
Challenges of Special Needs Child
– Diagnosis
– Assessment and School
• Being a sibling to a special needs child
The Holidays
• Feeling overwhelmed is normal
• Pressure to make things perfect
• Put things into perspective
– Take time for yourself
– Volunteer
– Have realistic expectations
– Focus on ‘family’ that is supportive and positive
– Start a new tradition
Job Loss/Financial Troubles
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Job loss can lead to various symptoms
Resilience
Structure
Connect
Accept
Long-term view
Purpose
Divorce
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Put your children first
Talk with children
Respect the other parent
Try to maintain routines
Don’t fight in front of them/use them as a
messenger
• Take care of yourself
• Watch for warning signs
• Seek help when needed
Caregiver Stress
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Emotional and Physical Strain
Try to find positives
Watch for warning signs
Grieve
Care for self first
Ask for and accept help
Parenting a Special Needs Child
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Take time after learning about diagnosis
Seek connection/support
One day at a time
Educate yourself
You don’t have to be a rock
Find positives
Care for yourself first
Care for your relationships
Plan how to deal with other’s reactions
Try to keep routines
Keep a sense of humor
Siblings of Special Needs Children
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Experience can be positive
Fierce supporters
Some feelings are less positive
Talk and educate
Foster connections with other sibs
Find one on one time
Things don’t have to be ‘fair’
Try not to lean on them; watch for being ‘too good’
Help them prepare for other’s reactions
Use school and other supports
Let’s Try Something
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Deep breathing
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Imagery
Keep up with your ‘bag of tricks’