Problems began for 9-year-old Max* following COVID-19 lockdown, when ‘bubbles’ became the only way to safely connect with others. He was separated from all his friends at school and really struggled to cope - being unable to play with them or enjoy their usual bike rides together.
Max became troubled by disagreements happening with those outside of his bubble and would ask to be constantly updated on whether things were alright. He was catastrophising every situation. If he said or did the wrong thing, he would replay his worries repeatedly in his head. This anxiety would keep him awake all hours of the night, so he was losing valuable sleep.
His anxieties escalated to a point where his parents would have to convince him to leave the house. Max was distraught and not in a positive head space.