{"id":103866,"date":"2017-05-24T03:04:00","date_gmt":"2017-05-24T07:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/?p=103866"},"modified":"2017-05-24T03:04:00","modified_gmt":"2017-05-24T07:04:00","slug":"parental-support-can-help-kids-anxious-after-manchester-concert-bombing-experts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/2017\/05\/24\/parental-support-can-help-kids-anxious-after-manchester-concert-bombing-experts\/","title":{"rendered":"Parental support can help kids anxious after Manchester concert bombing: experts"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Watching<\/a>
Watching media reports about the deadly suicide bombing at the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, may have left some Canadian children and teens feeling anxious \u2014 especially about attending a similar event in the future \u2014 but psychologists say parents can take steps to mitigate their fears. (Photo: MC YOUNG WIZY\/Facebook<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

TORONTO \u2014 Watching media reports about the deadly suicide bombing at the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, may have left some Canadian children and teens feeling anxious \u2014 especially about attending a similar event in the future \u2014 but psychologists say parents can take steps to mitigate their fears.<\/p>\n

Feeling anxious or fearful are normal and even healthy reactions to such a traumatic event, said Dr. Phil Ritchie, a clinical psychologist at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was a concert where it really appealed to teens and even some children, and they’re included among the victims,\u201d Ritchie said Tuesday from Ottawa.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo that’s going to be upsetting for kids even here in Canada watching it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The attack occurred Monday night following Grande’s performance at the Manchester Arena as concert-goers, many of them young children and teens, were leaving the venue. At least 22 people were killed \u2014 including an eight-year-old girl \u2014 and close to 60 were wounded.<\/p>\n

Dr. Katy Kamkar, a clinical psychologist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, said children and adolescents may respond to the bombing with anxiety but also with feelings of helplessness and fear for their safety, which can manifest as distressing and intrusive thoughts, nightmares and changes in behaviour.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt could be trying to self-isolate for safety, having difficulty focusing, difficulty engaging in routines. It could be crying. These are all very normal reactions,\u201d said Kamkar.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it’s important to get the support that we need to normalize the symptoms and fear and gradually, hopefully, it gets easier and better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Parental and family support that allows kids and teens to feel safe, protected and connected is especially important \u2014 including talking to children about their fears, she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes children want to know what happened. They’re trying to make sense out of it,\u201d said Kamkar. \u201cOpening a dialogue … having that openness really helps to strengthen that connection. It helps to reduce the fear.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ritchie agreed, saying parents should make sure they spend extra time with their child or teen, especially if they are exhibiting anxiety about the event or experiencing problems with sleeping or appetite, becoming withdrawn or changing their normal activities.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think this will get worse if parents feel a need to avoid discussing it or if they react with a kind of knee-jerk ‘Well, that’s it, you’re never going to a concert again in your life’ kind of thing,\u201d he said. \u201cI think that we need to be more measured in our response.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to deal with facts more than just that fury or knee-jerk response that can happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dealing in facts could include looking at what increased security measures are being put in place for future concerts both in Canada and around the world, Ritchie said, to prevent \u201canother Manchester\u201d and so people who attend can feel safe.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf there’s a concert here in Ottawa or in Toronto, what measures are there going to be in place? Because people will be talking about this, and see if there are additional things you can do as a parent to reassure them or help them feel safer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kamkar said that if parents witness their child or adolescent continuing to be anxious or having persistent problems with disturbed sleep, being less talkative or remaining withdrawn from their usual activities, it’s time to consider getting professional advice.<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously, if over time the symptoms increase to the point that it interferes with their functioning \u2014 so let’s say their daily routine, their school functioning, their social functioning \u2014 then it’s very important to seek help.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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