by Tavia Avila
Originally published at San Francisco Bay Area Moms.
“We are doing the best we can with the tools we have ~
When my son was two years old, I noticed stressful situations interrupted his breath flow. His breathing pattern would speed up, become shallow, and he would start gaging and sometimes even throw up as he struggled to take a full breath. He was experiencing anxiety. I knew all my son wanted was to feel safe. He was doing the best he could with his tools, and he needed new tools that supported his overall well-being as he continued to grow.
My son, now 9, still experiences anxiety.
As I observe him, I notice he is a mirror for many of us. According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA), anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults, and only 36.9% of those suffering receive treatment.
