When your usually ravenous child starts refusing food, won't settle at bedtime and loses interest in the games or toys he/she used to love, it's a sure sign that something is causing them anxiety. And that's enough to start any parent worrying and create a cycle of stress and aggravation. Kelly the (Reformed) Idealist Mom has written an article about "8 Surefire Ways to Calm an Anxious Kid". Here is an extract on one of the ways she suggests:
1. Name the Bad Feelings
This suggestion came from our doctor, and it’s a common tip for anxious kids.
Get your kid to think up a silly name for the bad feelings they’re having. For example: Bob.
Then tell your kid to boss those bad feelings around.
“Bob, stop making me feel like that!”
Or: “Go away, Bob!”
(I suggested that Abby name her bad feelings “Voldemort.” She decided to stick with “Bob” instead)
http://idealistmom.com/2014/10/calm-anxious-kid/