Disorders Treated
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Understanding Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety is a natural response to stress, but when it becomes overwhelming, consistent, or interferes with daily life, it classifies as an anxiety disorder. These conditions lead to excessive worry, fear, and physical symptoms. We often see outbursts, school refusal, and defiance when a child experiences anxiety.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
GAD involves chronic worry and tension, even when there is little or no apparent reason for concern. People with GAD may struggle with restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and sleep disturbances. People who struggle with GAD, experience a continuous flight or fright mode to ‘threats’ of daily life.
Panic Disorder
Experiencing sudden and intense episodes of fear (panic attacks), this disorder can cause physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, and chest pain. Panic attacks often occur unexpectedly, creating fear of future episodes.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Individuals with social anxiety experience intense fear of social situations, because of concerns of being judged or embarrassed. This often leads to avoidance of social interactions, impacting relationships, work, and personal growth.
Phobias
Phobias involve an intense fear of specific objects, situations, or activities. This fear is often irrational but can lead to extreme avoidance behaviours.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD is characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) aimed at reducing anxiety. This cycle interferes with daily functioning and causes significant distress.
Treatment and Management
At BreakingTheChalk we specialise in anxiety disorders as we use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in your treatment. CBT is known to be highly effective in managing anxious thoughts, managing OCD obsessions and compulsions, and provides practical techniques to manage anxiety symptoms. Providing you as parents, tools on how to support your child.
Understanding Mood Disorders
Mood disorders are mental health conditions that affect a person’s emotional state, making it difficult to regulate mood over an extended period. While everyone experiences ups and downs, mood disorders involve persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, or extreme mood swings that can interfere with daily life, relationships, and overall well-being.
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Also known as clinical depression, MDD is characterized by prolonged sadness, loss of interest in activities, fatigue, changes in sleep or appetite, isolation, and feelings of worthlessness. Without treatment, it can significantly impact daily functioning and can lead to suicidal ideation and self-harm.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder causes extreme mood swings, including episodes of mania (elevated mood, impulsivity, high energy) and depression (low mood, fatigue, hopelessness). There are different types of bipolar disorder, each varying in severity and frequency of mood episodes.
Treatment and Management
At BreakingTheChalk we provide a safe space to manage depressive symptoms and lighten daily functioning. As well as, ensuring any suicidal ideation and self-harm urges are managed effectively. Providing you as parents, tools on how to support your child.
Understanding Trauma and Personality Disorders in Children
Children experience the world in unique ways, and when they go through difficult or distressing experiences, it has a lasting impact on their emotions and behaviour. Some children may struggle with trauma-related challenges, while others may develop personality traits that make it hard for them to connect with others or regulate their emotions. You and your child's understanding, helps to provide the correct support and healing.
What Is Trauma?
Trauma occurs when a child experiences something frightening, overwhelming, or deeply upsetting. This could include: abuse, neglect, losing a loved one, natural disaster or unsettling environment, witnessing violence, change in environment.
When a child struggles to process these experiences, they may develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or other trauma-related challenges. We can see symptoms of: nightmares or trouble sleeping, outbursts or mood changes, avoiding places or people, anxious or withdrawn, and regression.
Therapy can help children process their emotions, build resilience, and feel safe again.
What Are Personality Disorders?
Personality disorders affect the way a child thinks, feels, and interacts with others. While personality is still developing in childhood, early signs of personality difficulties can sometimes be seen in children who struggle with emotional regulation, social relationships, or self-image.
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Some children who have experienced trauma may develop personality-related challenges, such as difficulty trusting others, intense emotions, or impulsive behaviors. These traits can sometimes continue into adolescence or adulthood if not addressed.
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We at BreakingTheChalk, provide art and play therapy to use as a tool for processing trauma and understanding themselves, while providing coping mechanisms. Also providing your family a space to communicate.
Understanding Behavioural Challenges in Children
All children experience big emotions and occasional outbursts, but when behaviours become frequent, intense, or difficult to manage, they may need extra support. Behavioural challenges can show up as tantrums, defiance, aggression, outbursts, trouble following rules, or withdrawal. These behaviours often stem from underlying causes such as anxiety, ADHD, trauma, sensory sensitivities, or difficulty expressing emotions.
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Children aren’t “bad” when they act out—they may simply lack the tools to communicate their needs or regulate their emotions as their brains are still developing.
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​At BreakingTheChalk we work as a team to learn healthy ways to express themselves and develop techniques. Parents also receive practical guidance and feedback on how to support their child in a calm, structured, and nurturing way. With the right approach, every child can grow, thrive, and feel understood.
Understanding ADHD in Children
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition that affects a child’s ability to focus, regulate impulses, and manage energy levels - an executive functioning deficit. While all children may struggle with attention or hyperactivity at times, those with ADHD experience these challenges more frequently and intensely, often impacting school, home life, and social interactions.
Signs of ADHD in Children
ADHD presents in different ways, but common signs include:
Inattention
Difficulty staying focused, easily distracted, forgetful, or trouble following instructions, disorganisation.
Hyperactivity
Constant movement, fidgeting, difficulty sitting still, or talking excessively.
Impulsivity
Acting without thinking, interrupting, trouble waiting their turn, or taking risks.
Each child with ADHD is unique—some may be more inattentive, while others may be highly energetic or impulsive.ADHD is not a "bad behavior"—it's a different way of thinking and processing the world. With understanding, patience, and the right tools, children with ADHD can thrive at home, in school, and beyond.
At BreakingTheChalk we specialise in ADHD and create an individualised plan for each patient and family, providing outside session support and communication. Providing strategies, parental tools, and indivisualised routine and structures.