“Starving the Anxiety Gremlin” Program: Treating a 6-Year-Old Girl with Anxiety Symptoms

Anindya Dewi Paramita

doi:10.22146/gamajpp.99597

“Starving the Anxiety Gremlin” Program: Treating a 6-Year-Old Girl with Anxiety Symptoms

Anindya Dewi Paramita

(Submitted 1 September 2024)

(Published 25 September 2025)

Abstract

Anxiety symptoms in childhood are common and can adversely affect developmental and adaptive functioning. This single-case study evaluated outcomes of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for a 6-year-old girl (“S”) who presented with excessive anxiety and pronounced distress when separating from her caregiver at school drop-off. Pre-intervention assessment comprised interviews with the child and her parents and direct observation to identify the child’s anxiety manifestations. Post-intervention interviews and observations indicated the absence of previously reported symptoms—persistent worry, fear, and difficulty separating from the caregiver—across school and non-school contexts. The article offers practice-oriented recommendations for clinicians implementing similar interventions and proposes follow-up steps to support optimal social adaptation.

Keywords

anxiety symptoms; CBT; children; intervention

Full Text: PDF

DOI: 10.22146/gamajpp.99597

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