120. How does conditional safety learning trap kids in anxiety?
Overpowering Emotions: Tools for Child & Teen Anxiety and Resilience · Caroline Buzanko
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Show Notes
In this recast episode of Overpowering Emotions, as we continue our series on parental traps that exacerbate children's anxiety, I discuss conditional safety learning. I first discuss the generalizability of fears and how learned fears - even those not consciously remembered - can significantly influence a child's perception of safety and danger.
Using relatable examples, like a fear of dogs stemming from an early bite or anxiety about visiting the dentist after a painful experience, I illustrate how our brain forms associations that contribute to anxiety. These associations often generalize, leading to broad, pervasive fears that extend beyond the initial trigger.
This is where the concept of conditional safety learning becoms crucial. That is, where safety is understood only in specific contexts or in the presence of certain cues. This type of learning is highly context-dependent and does not generalize, posing challenges in treating anxiety effectively.
I emphasize the importance of cultivating a sense of unconditional safety in children. I discuss strategies for breaking the cycle of 'yeah, buts' in safety learning and how to encourage a broader, more resilient understanding of safety that isn't tied to specific conditions or contexts.
Listen in to gain insights into the complexities of fear and safety learning in children and how to approach these challenges to foster a healthier, more adaptable response to anxiety-provoking situations.
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