Some homes are decorated with spider webs and pumpkins.
Others are grounds for mock cemeteries with RIP stones on the lawn or have
elaborate haunted houses available. Some homes have human size fake bodies
covered in blood or with missing body parts stationed in front. Many people
will enjoy these decorations in the spirit of Halloween. Many will not.
What about people who suffer from anxiety? What about
children who have nightmares at the first look of a scary cartoon? What about
adults with a fear of dying, getting injured in some way, or getting lost where
they can't escape? How are these individuals affected?
People with anxiety may experience Halloween differently. We
are all individuals and can tolerate different types of stimuli. Some will have
nightmares (yes, even grown-ups), want to avoid certain settings (trick or
treating at certain houses, parties at school, scary movies), or become
fearful.
This is important to remember as you decide how you will
celebrate. If you are a parent and your
child suffers from anxiety, you know your child best. If you are an adult, you
know yourself best. It is OK and healthy to decide which festive activities to
participate in.
There are many programs designed for children that are
actually very scary. Many "kid friendly" shows and movies can present
concepts that may be difficult to understand such as kidnapping, death, illness,
witchcraft, and ghosts. As a parent it is important to be sure that you are
permitting your child to experience material that is appropriate
developmentally and emotionally.
Now, let's not be confused with exposure treatment for
anxiety. A general rule of thumb is that when we avoid something we are anxious
about, it reinforces our anxiety, making it more difficult to face that
situation in the future. This is true. Within the context of Halloween,
however, I believe it is OK to avoid certain stimuli that are not needed for
healthy development or functioning. If your child cannot attend school during
the season because he/she is afraid of the parties, decorations, or costumes,
it is important for him/her to attend school anyway. This would be a case when
anxiety can be inadvertently reinforced if the child is permitted to stay home.
A talk with the teacher may help to modify classroom stimuli to make it safer
for your child to be there. Working with your child on coping skills can also
help him/her feel safe in school. If your child wants to avoid scary movies,
then this is OK. Let them. One does not need to be exposed to scary or horror
films in order to develop appropriately. One does, however, need to be
educated. See the difference?
And for you grown-ups out there who love horror films and
Halloween parties, have fun! For those of you who want to crawl into a hole
instead of watching the "however many nights of Halloween" specials
on TV, then read on. It is OK that you do not like this material. We all have
different tastes, interests, and levels of tolerance. Decide how you would like
the next few weeks to be for you and make a plan.
Trick or treating is another interesting activity for people
with anxiety. Think about it. You dress up in a costume, walk up to a
stranger's door (or hopefully someone you know and have determined is safe to
trick or treat from), knock, wait for someone to answer, say "Trick or
Treat," hold open your bag or bucket, say "thank you," walk
away, and repeat. Also, you have to stay with your friends and family, possibly walk a long distance in unusual clothing, and accept whatever treat has
been given to you. Not such a simple process, right? Trick or treating can
be a great way to practice social skills, follow a routine, and be exposed to
new and unpredictable situations. However, how important a life skill is it to
knock on people's doors and ask for treats? You decide.
Consider all of this information as you decide, either for
yourself or your children, how to participate in Halloween. You can choose the
specific activities to join, consumes to wear, stores to shop in, parties to
attend, houses to trick or treat at, movies to watch, or candy to eat.
Utilizing your power to choose is a great skill to practice for healthy
development and functioning.
So, what is Halloween for you? A good treat or a bad trick?
#Halloween #Anxiety
#Halloween #Anxiety