Little man is 2y 10mo and has developed some pretty intense situational anxiety lately. He has what I can only describe as full-blown anxiety attacks. So far they have been triggered by hair cuts, the hair dryer, insects, ride-on toys and trampolines. He is so afraid in these situations that it breaks my heart. I can feel his heart pounding, he sweats and he is screaming and clutching at me. All he can say is "I'm scairt!" over and over.
I can help him avoid hair dryers and ride-on toys and trampolines for the time being, but I am powerless against the insects, LOL. Last night a moth flew by him in the driveway and he hit the ground like he was being dive-bombed by a man-eating dragon. I can see him assessing all new situations, almost like he is looking for what can hurt him. My sister works with kids with anxiety and she was with me today when he had the trampoline attack (we were only looking at it!). She suggested that I try to calm him down before I take him back into the house so he sees that I do not agree that the situation is too dangerous for him. Very hard to reason with a kid in that state, though!
Any suggestions? He is only two, so I don't think he needs therapy yet (but not ruling it out in the future!).
