How to help kids deal with self-esteem and anxiety issues
Posted September 2, 2011 12:14 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Body image can be a serious issue for kids of all ages heading back to school. News1130 is continuing a special Back to School series by talking to a psychologist about how to deal with low self-confidence and anxiety.
Students — boys and girls — are bombarded with unrealistic body images, says psychologist, author, and correspondent Dr. Linda Papadopoulos, who adds parents can help young people deal with percieved imperfections like weight and skin disorders.
“So, they don’t buy into the silly myths,” she advises. “Don’t let them internalize the bullying, tell them it probably says a lot more about the person doing it than themselves. Give them the right social skills so if somebody makes a comment they know how to respond — if someone is staring, they’re able to look them in the eye and smile as a means of saying ‘I’m okay with it. I acknowledge that you’re staring.'”
Dr. Papadopoulos believes a good exercise is to get kids to look in a mirror and pick out things they like about themselves rather than focus on things they don’t.
Low self esteem can lead to shyness as well, but she tells us that can be overcome by opening up communication. “Allow them to play devil’s advocate. What’s the worst thing that can happen? Who am I living my life for? Myself or other people?”
Parents can also help challenge stereotypes by explaining about Photoshopping, airbrushing and unrealistic images in pop culture.
