Nigel & Cassie with Bruce (6)
The Story of:
Why They Came to Anxend for Help
Meet Nigel, Cassie, and their young son, Bruce. At age six, Bruce was dealing with a significant challenge - attachment anxiety.
Even the simple act of being alone in a room caused panic. He was sensitive to noise, burdened with an incessant racing heart, and harboured an unshakable feeling that he was constantly the subject of others' ridicule.
Bruce resisted using the restroom at school, sought continual reassurance, and struggled with sleeping in his own bed. This scenario took a toll on the family dynamics and Nigel and Cassie's relationship, due to conflicting methods of approaching Bruce’s anxiety.
Bruce's first score on the GAD-7 (General Anxiety Disorder) test was 14 out of 21, indicating he was suffering from moderate to severe anxiety.
How We Assessed and Helped Their Situation
Our first step was to explore the family dynamics and unearth the triggers of Bruce's behaviour. This approach allowed us to guide both Nigel and Cassie towards cohesive parenting, encouraging mutual support and understanding. Working with their parent coach, Cassie and Nigel learned how to create a supportive home environment and how to respond effectively to Bruce's challenges. This newfound knowledge was incorporated at Bruce's school as well, enabling teachers to maintainconsistency with these techniques.
Our primary goal was to foster a calm and smooth morning routine in the family, free from stress and frustration. With Nigel having struggled with anxiety from a young age himself, we invested a few sessions to aid him in managing his anxiety, positioning him as a role model for Bruce. The positive ripple effect of this was astounding, with the family regaining their ability to relish their time together.
The Happy Outcome
The results of our work with the family were nothing short of remarkable. Bruce can now stay alone in a room without fear. His hypersensitivity to noise has gone and he no longer overreacts to loud noises. Sleeping in his own bed is comfortable rather than scary. His habit of incessantly seeking reassurance has disappeared and he now uses the school restroom without difficulty. Bruce’s vocabulary no longer features the negative terms that once frequently appeared. He has even bravely ventured out for a sleepover at a friend's house!
Bruce discovered a new passion—fishing, a hobby he now joyfully shares with his father. The family home, once fraught with anxiety, is now a haven of happiness and comfort.
Reflecting on the progress made, Bruce's GAD-7 score reduced to a mere 2 out of 21, an astonishing 12-point decrease, showcasing the transformative impact of Anxend’s coaching approach.
Through Bruce's journey, we see that with the right support and tools, even the most challenging anxieties can be managed and overcome, paving the way for a happy and fulfilling life.