206. Are kids being misdiagnosed when their bodies are just tired?
Overpowering Emotions: Tools for Child & Teen Anxiety and Resilience · Caroline Buzanko
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Show Notes
Emotions don’t just “happen”—they’re built on signals from the body. In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, we explore how affect—the body’s internal state—shapes what kids (and adults) feel, label, and act on. From blood sugar crashes that masquerade as anger, to dehydration that looks like anxiety, you’ll learn how body signals are often misread as emotional problems.
Discover practical strategies to help children and teens decode their body’s “dashboard lights,” build emotional literacy, and prevent misdiagnosis of mood or behavior challenges. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or mental health professional, this episode will help you shift the way you support kids who seem dysregulated for “no reason.”
Check out this video for kids to learn about their brain/body budget: https://youtu.be/yCxstApZsP0
Homework Ideas
✅ Daily Body Budget Check-ins
- Ask kids: “What’s your body telling you right now?”
- Use body scan visuals (head, chest, stomach, muscles) to track signals.
✅ Battery Analogy
- Print or draw a battery chart (100% → low power mode).
- Have kids check their “charge level” before school, after school, and bedtime.
✅ Hydration + Snack Routine
- Create a snack station with healthy, quick options.
- Encourage kids to drink water at transitions (before school, after recess, after homework).
✅ Sleep Reset
- Use a “sleep log” for one week to track bedtime, wake time, and energy.
- Share the pattern with kids so they can see how rest affects mood.
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Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/