Homeopathic Support for Back to School Anxiety
Back-to-school time can be stressful for many kids. There may be a new school or teacher, earlier mornings and a new routine, concerns about doing well, separation from parents, new social situations, and more.
Homeopathy can be wonderfully supportive during these transitions. Below are several remedies often used in homeopathy for short-term support around a specific stressful event. Homeopathic remedy selection is based on the individual pattern of symptoms, so the descriptions below are intended as general education rather than a diagnosis or individualized treatment plan.
If your child’s anxiety is persistent, severe, interfering with school or everyday life, or accompanied by panic attacks, significant physical symptoms, depression, or other concerning changes, please talk with a professional.
Gelsemium - for anxiety before an event - this is a good “first” remedy for a child with anticipatory anxiety before the first day of school, or a big test, a presentation, or performance of any kind. A child that could benefit from Gelsemium is typically nervous, excitable, and sensitive. When anxious, they may feel timid with a desire to be quiet, shake, tremble, show some type of physical weakness or collapse, or even wet their pants.
Aconite - for fright - this remedy is for when there is true fear about going to school, including panic level fear. This can look like panic attacks, with pure panic and being in a fight/flight state. They may be restless and unable to sit still, with shaking, wide-eyed stares and cold sweats. Symptoms are worse in a crowd so, in addition to Aconite, it will be helpful to find some peace and quiet for your child as well.
Lycopodium - for fear of failure - this remedy is good for a child that is a perfectionist with high expectations and that is overly concerned with what teachers and parents think of them. Presentations and tests are particularly stressful, although typically they will be very well prepared and will do well. The stress is often about what their teachers and parents think of them - they desperately do not want to make a fool of themselves in front of others! This often stems from low self-confidence. These kids will often be bossy, get angry when contradicted, and may lash out when upset.
Calcarea carbonica - for overwhelm - a child that would benefit from Calc carb tends to become overwhelmed quickly because they can’t take in all the new information quickly. New schedule, new teacher, new school, new friends, new lessons – they need time to understand and process one thing at a time. They will worry about the small things and will show a tendency to avoid new things and show some stubbornness and lethargy.
Arsenicum album - for control - this remedy is good for a child that is constitutionally ambitious and perfectionistic, high strung, and nervous. They will show their anxiety and nervousness through controlling themselves and their surroundings - practicing their instrument for hours to get just the right sound, lining up their toys in perfect lines, organizing their books and school supplies days and weeks before school starts - nothing out of order. In addition, they may be insecure about their health and worry about germs. Physically, they tend to be restless and fidgety and often chilled.
Pulsatilla - for separation anxiety - the child needing Pulsatilla will typically be docile, gentle, care a great deal about the feelings of others, and clinging. When it is time to drop your child off at school they WILL NOT LET GO. Once in school, they will be by the teacher’s side. They may cry and whine and be full of worries, and only feel better with hugs and affection and lots of reassurance.
Dosing instructions
Select a remedy based on the overall pattern that seems to most closely resemble your child rather than choosing only from the name of the symptom.
Select a remedy based on what seems to best fit your child’s picture. Use the 30c potency available at natural foods stores or Amazon. Give your child a first dose and wait to observe your child’s response. If it helps, re-dose when symptom improvement stalls or symptoms return. Dosing should follow the symptoms, so reduce and stop giving the remedy as the symptoms improve. You can give your child up to 3 doses per day, for 3 days. Not sure what to give? Start with Gelsemium!
If the remedy doesn’t seem to be helping, stop and move on to the next best indicated remedy.
Please reach out if you don’t see anything that fits your child’s picture. There are many more remedies than listed here and I welcome the opportunity to work with you!
Additional support
Some of the most useful back-to-school support is also the simplest: regular meals, adequate hydration, sufficient sleep, physical activity, predictable routines, and enough downtime while your child adjusts.
Nutrition can also help provide the basic building blocks the body and nervous system need during periods of stress.
Keep added sugar reasonable. Large amounts of added sugar can contribute to blood-sugar swings for some children, which may make energy, mood, and concentration harder to regulate. Rather than eliminating sugar altogether, focus on regular, balanced meals and snacks, and sugar following meals.
Include protein. Pairing carbohydrates with protein and healthy fats can help provide steadier energy. Easy sources include eggs, meat, fish, yogurt, beans, nuts and seeds, hummus, and other foods your child tolerates and enjoys.
Prioritize micronutrients through food. Vitamins and minerals play important roles throughout the nervous system and body. A varied diet is generally the best starting point. Supplements can be useful when there is a known deficiency, inadequate dietary intake, or another specific reason to use them, but children don't necessarily benefit from taking additional nutrients simply because they're under stress.
Some nutrients important to normal nervous-system and overall health include:
Magnesium is involved in hundreds of enzymatic reactions and contributes to normal nerve and muscle function. Food sources include nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, and leafy greens.
Zinc supports normal immune function, growth, and many enzymatic processes. Good food sources include meat, shellfish, dairy products, beans, nuts, and seeds.
B vitamins have important roles in energy metabolism and nervous-system function and are available through a wide variety of foods. Note that many kids with complex and chronic conditions need a specially formulated version - best to talk with your practitioner before giving B vitamins.
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient and antioxidant that supports normal immune function. Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources.
Omega-3 fatty acids are important components of cell membranes and have important roles in brain health. Sources include fatty fish as well as certain nuts and seeds.
A special note about supplements and sensitive kids
More isn't necessarily better with supplements, particularly for children. Nutrient needs and safe doses vary with age, diet, medications, medical conditions, and the individual child.
If your child is unusually sensitive or tends to be a “hyper-responder” to supplements, medications, homeopathic remedies, or other treatments, don't introduce several new things at once or push through a reaction because you assume it is part of the healing process. Stop anything that appears to cause a concerning reaction and seek appropriate medical guidance.
Before supplementing a child - particularly with higher doses, multiple nutrients, or ongoing supplementation - check with your child's pediatrician or another qualified healthcare professional who knows their health history. Supplements can have side effects and interactions, and even essential nutrients can be harmful in excessive amounts.
Parents need support, too
It’s not only children who are adjusting to a change in routine. If your child is starting school for the first time, beginning a new stage of school, or your teenager is leaving home, you may be feeling the emotional impact as well.
Take care of your own foundations during the transition, too. If you feel your emotional state or symptoms getting stuck, reach out for individualized homeopathic care for yourself.
To begin your own healing story with homeopathy, contact me at Sue@SueMcKinleyHomeopathy.com. If you know of anyone that may be interested in this natural, holistic, and 100% individualized modality, I would appreciate a referral and welcome the opportunity to work with them!