Positive Behaviour Support for Anxiety Online course

Positive Behaviour Support Strategies for Anxiety is a comprehensive online course which will provide you with a toolkit of practical,evidence-based strategies for responding to and reducing anxious behaviours in individuals, particularly those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and other developmental conditions.

Anxiety can act as a trigger for challenging behaviours or behaviours of concern. Situations that cause anxiety, such as changes in routine, social interactions, or sensory overload are anxiety provoking may lead to behaviours like aggression, property destruction, avoidance, or self-injury. Behaviours of concern may serve as a form of communication, especially for individuals who have difficulty expressing their anxiety verbally. Whilst the behaviours of concern are a way to cope with or escape anxiety-provoking situations. These behaviours might temporarily relieve anxiety but are not constructive in the long term.

Hence, when addressing anxiety driven behaviours of concern, Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) focuses on identifying triggers, understanding the individual's experiences, and implementing proactive and reactive strategies to support emotional well-being in the long term.

Course Outcomes

• A toolkit of PBS strateties to support individuals with anxiety.

• Step by step guidance to develop a behaviour support plan.

• Free copy of ebook ‘Positive Behaviour Support for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

• A certificate of participation of 5 hours CPD.

The online course is divided into 3 modules:

Module 1 - Introduction to Anxiety

• Defining anxiety

• Common Symptoms of anxiety

• Types of anxiety

• Impact of anxiety

• Causes of anxiety

• Prevalence of anxiety

Module 2 - Positive Behaviour Support

Learn and identify appropriate strategies and tools for helping the individual develop positive communication, behavioural and social skills. These will help overcome symptoms of anxiety, promote better emotional regulation and overall well-being for the individual.

Module 3 - Positive Behaviour Support & Anxiety

Module 3 looks at

• Supportive strategies for separation anxiety

• Supportive strategies for school refusal behaviour

• Supportive strategies for excessive reassurance seeking and repetitive questioning

• Supportive strategies for test anxiety

• Supportive strategies to help overcome fear of making mistakes and failure

To begin the online course through Teachable, where you'll be required to pay the course fee of $165 via credit card. If you would prefer an invoice or have multiple participants please email dolly@behaviourhelp.com

 

Further reading about Anxiety Disorders and Positive Behaviour Support

By using Positive Behaviour Support approach to address anxiety, the focus is on understanding the root causes of anxiety, proactively teaching and reinforcing positive behaviours, and creating supportive environments. This approach not only helps reduce anxiety-related behaviours but also enhances the individual’s overall quality of life.

Positive Behaviour Support Strategies for Students with Anxiety: A step by step guide to assessing, preventing and managing emotional and behavioural difficulties

E for Excessive Reassurance Seeking: Positive Behaviour Support

 

R for Repetitive Questioning: Positive Behaviour Support

 

S for School Refusal Behaviour: Positive Behaviour Support

S for Separation Anxiety: Positive Behaviour Support

Frequently Asked Questions

What is healthy anxiety?

"Healthy anxiety" refers to a normal and adaptive response to stress or potential threats that helps individuals prepare for and cope with challenges. This type of anxiety is a natural part of life and serves a protective function. Here are some key characteristics of healthy anxiety:

Characteristics of Healthy Anxiety

1. Situational and Temporary:

   • Healthy anxiety occurs in response to specific situations or stressors, such as preparing for a big exam, starting a new job, or giving a presentation.

   • It is temporary and subsides once the stressful event or situation is resolved.

2. Motivational:

   • Healthy anxiety can motivate individuals to take action, plan, and prepare effectively.

   • It can lead to improved performance by encouraging focus and diligence.

3. Proportional:

   • The intensity of the anxiety is proportional to the significance of the situation.

   • It does not overwhelm the individual or interfere significantly with daily functioning.

4. Awareness and Control:

   • Individuals experiencing healthy anxiety are aware of their feelings and can manage them through coping strategies.

   • They can use relaxation techniques, problem-solving, and other methods to alleviate their anxiety.

Examples of Healthy Anxiety

1. Academic or Work-Related Anxiety:

   • Feeling nervous before an important exam or a work presentation.

   • This anxiety can lead to better preparation and a higher level of performance.

2. Social Anxiety:

   • Feeling anxious before attending a social event or meeting new people.

   • This can encourage individuals to practice social skills and engage in social interactions thoughtfully.

3. Health-Related Anxiety:

   • Worrying about health symptoms can prompt individuals to seek medical advice and take care of their health.

   • This type of anxiety can lead to adopting healthier lifestyle habits.

 

What is Anxiety Disorder?

Anxiety becomes unhealthy when it is excessive, persistent, and interferes with daily life. This type of anxiety may be indicative of an anxiety disorder, which requires professional intervention. Signs of unhealthy anxiety include:

• Persistent worry or fear that is disproportionate to the situation.

• Avoidance of situations due to anxiety.

• Physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, or muscle tension.

• Difficulty concentrating or sleeping.

Understanding the distinction between healthy and unhealthy anxiety is crucial for maintaining mental health and seeking appropriate support when needed.

Anxiety disorder is one of the most common mental disorders that involves excessive fear and is associated with muscle tension and avoidance behaviour. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition (DSM-V) (American Psychiatric Association, 2013), is a handbook that is used by professionals around the world to diagnose mental disorders.

The DSM–V states that anxiety becomes disordered when the fear and the worry is out of proportion to the situation at hand. The overestimation of the danger in the situation and the fear of being embarrassed, humiliated, or failing is so great that anxiety symptoms become more intense, persistent and chronic. Also, the anxiety is beyond that which would be expected for the individual’s developmental level and interferes with social, academic, occupation or other areas of functioning (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). 

All of us experience some degree of anxiety (i.e. fear and worry) from time to time. When faced with a stressful situation (e.g. first day of school, attending a job interview or preparing for an exam), it is expected, normal and useful to experience a little bit of anxiety. Anxiety increases our alertness, energy and focus, which improves our performance. Anxiety experienced within the normal range is short lived and we return to a calm state when the stressful situation is over.

For help with managing anxiety, read the blog 'Strategies for Managing Anxiety'.

What are the different types of Anxiety Disorders?

Below are some of the common types of Anxiety Disorders with a brief definition of each:

• Separation anxiety disorder: excessive fear and worry about anticipated or actual separation from caregiver(s).

• Selective mutism: excessive fear or anxiety resulting in an inability to speak in some social situations, despite being able to speak in other situations.

• Specific phobia: excessive, irrational fear or anxiety about or avoidance of facing a specific object, or situation.

• Social anxiety disorder: excessive fear or anxiety about or avoidance of social or performance situations that involve the possibility of negative judgements and evaluation by others which may result in embarrassment, humiliation, rejection or causing offence to others.

• Panic disorder: characterised by sudden and repeated episodes of intense fear and panic attacks.

• Generalised anxiety disorder: excessive and persistent worry about different aspects of life.

Causes of Anxiety Disorder

There is no single cause, rather a number of risk factors that contribute to its development. Some of the factors include:

• Genetics (i.e. differences in one’s genetic code and/or inherited genes) that make the individual vulnerable to developing anxiety disorder.

• Brain chemistry (i.e. imbalance in chemicals in the brain that regulate feelings and physical reactions).

• Personality factors (e.g. being a perfectionist, having low self-esteem, becoming easily flustered or wanting to control everything).

• Medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, thyroid problems, heart disease and respiratory disorders).

• Stressful events such as loss (e.g. death of a loved one or a pet, parents’ divorce), major life change (e.g. change of school, moving to a different school, moving to a new country) and leading a high stress lifestyle (e.g. individual is doing too many extracurricular activities).

• Drug and alcohol abuse.

What are the symptoms of Anxiety Disorder?

The individual may exhibit some, or all of following:

Individuals experiencing anxiety disorder often show excessive fear, concern, or worry about particular tasks, situations, or places.

This heightened sense of fear can lead to the avoidance of certain subjects, activities, or places, which can severely limit their daily functioning. Additionally, they may appear extremely self-conscious or uncomfortable in social situations, often refusing to join in activities or subjects that involve interaction with others.

This behaviour can result in social isolation, causing them to withdraw or appear very shy in social settings.

Physical symptoms are also common among those with anxiety disorders. For instance, they might frequently ask to go to the sick bay due to complaints such as headaches or stomachaches.

These physical manifestations of anxiety are often accompanied by trouble with concentrating, leading individuals to appear distracted or forgetful.

The constant need for reassurance is another hallmark, as individuals with anxiety often seek validation to alleviate their fears.

Moreover, they might get easily frustrated and be reluctant to ask for help, which can exacerbate their anxiety.

Perfectionism or procrastination is also prevalent, causing them to take longer to complete tasks. This can lead to a noticeable decline in performance, further feeding into their anxiety.

Engaging in unhealthy, risky, or self-destructive behaviour, such as drug or alcohol abuse, is another potential consequence, as individuals may turn to these substances in an attempt to cope with their overwhelming emotions.

Lastly, those with anxiety disorders are often very sensitive to perceived or real criticism and corrective feedback, which can further impair their ability to function effectively in various aspects of life.

How is mental health related to Anxiety Disorders?

Mental health encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act, and it also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. When mental health is compromised, it can have a significant impact on many areas of life, including work performance, personal relationships, and physical health.

Anxiety disorders are a subset of mental health disorders that primarily involve excessive fear or worry and contribute to a lowered sense of mental wellbeing.

Is a panic attack a type of Anxiety Disorder?

Yes, a panic attack is a type of anxiety. It is a sudden and intense episode of fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause. Panic attacks can be very frightening, and individuals experiencing them often feel as though they are losing control, having a heart attack, or even dying.

What is a panic attack?

A panic attack is characterised by the sudden onset of intense fear or discomfort that peaks within minutes. Symptoms can include a racing heart, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, dizziness, chills or hot flashes, and a fear of losing control or impending doom.

What is Panic Disorder?

Panic disorder is a specific type of anxiety disorder where an individual experiences recurrent and unexpected panic attacks. In addition to the attacks, there is often persistent concern about having more attacks or worrying about the implications of the attacks (e.g., losing control or having a heart attack), and significant changes in behaviour to avoid situations that might trigger an attack.