A Poem on Anxiety by Harrison

March 24, 2017

ANXIETY IN ACTION

by Harrison Welch, age 9

I am slanty eyed and gray, green, and pink.

I wonder how terrified Harrison will be today.

I hear Harrison yell, ”Shut up, Worry Bullies!”

I see him running up from the dark basement when he’s alone.

I want to grow bigger and make more Worry Bullies.

I am Worry Bullies.

I pretend that there are monsters in his closet.

I feel Harrison’s heart beating as fast as mine.

I touch Harrison’s brain to make the anxiety start.

I fear Harrison will gain strength and overpower me some day.

I laugh when Harrison is under the bed crying.

I am Worry Bullies.

I hide in the corner when Harrison is happy.

I say, “Stay at home, school isn’t safe.”

I mirror Harrison’s goosebumps.

I try to control Harrison so he doesn’t go to school.

I hope Harrison and I are friends forever.

I am Worry Bullies.

About the Author

Harrison is a third grader who lives in the Washington, DC suburbs. He loves math, knitting, making potholders, riding his bicycle, hiking, Legos, Harry Potter, back rubs, and needling his big and little brothers. His anxiety disorder was identified at age six when he disclosed he was having near-daily panic attacks in school. He already understands the importance of making connections with others with anxiety so everyone feels less alone.

Harrison’s portrait of his Worry Bullies, created at the time he wrote the above poem.

For information on Children and Mental Health Issues, visit: NIMH’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health page.