Xpost, OT, kids-anxiety, advice..

Still Fawn
on 9/7/11 12:15 pm - SIERRA MADRE, CA

I am looking for anyone who had dealt with anxiety disorders in kids..

My ten year old daughter has always been easily stressed.. What my parents call delicate.. She is smart, sweet, well liked, beautiful.. Special in many, many ways. But we are starting to be concerned that her anxieties are out of control.

She is starting to get panicky at bedtime- thinks its hard to breathe, tummy aches, can't sleep, upset.. She is afraid of things normal, like tests at school.. And abnormal, like dying in her sleep. I feel so sad that she gets so upset and sad.. And I feel helpless.

We are contacting her pediatrician tomorrow, but was just wondering if anyone else has dealt with this. I could use support please. Thanks.

I am still loving life with my sleeve! Been maintaining at or below goal for over 4 years!
"People spend a lifetime searching for happiness; looking for peace. They chase idle dreams, addictions, religions, even other people, hoping to fill the emptiness that plagues them. The irony is the only place they ever needed to search was within." - Ramona L. Anderson

(deactivated member)
on 9/7/11 12:39 pm - CA

VSG on 03/24/11

My niece is now 13 and has been diagnosed with anxiety disorder since she was 11. She used to think the house was going to catch fire while she slept and then she would be trapped. She also had a lot of crying and anxiety about school issues, as well. She's been on prozac for a little over a year and it's helped immensely. She also sees a psychiatrist for therapy, too.

Still Fawn
on 9/7/11 12:51 pm - SIERRA MADRE, CA

Aw, poor baby! My baby is also afraid of natural disasters and fires.. She actually blows out candles in restaurants and identified the quickest way out of her room the first time we showed her our new apt.. Poor kids..

I am still loving life with my sleeve! Been maintaining at or below goal for over 4 years!
"People spend a lifetime searching for happiness; looking for peace. They chase idle dreams, addictions, religions, even other people, hoping to fill the emptiness that plagues them. The irony is the only place they ever needed to search was within." - Ramona L. Anderson

doggz109
on 9/7/11 12:45 pm - CA

VSG on 01/12/12

Do everything you can to avoid medication.

Still Fawn
on 9/7/11 12:53 pm - SIERRA MADRE, CA

I wasn't even thinking in that direction- more cognitive therapy or coping skills.. I will see where we end up though.. Not a fan of meds really, but not a fan of my baby afraid she will not wake up if she sleeps either..

I am still loving life with my sleeve! Been maintaining at or below goal for over 4 years!
"People spend a lifetime searching for happiness; looking for peace. They chase idle dreams, addictions, religions, even other people, hoping to fill the emptiness that plagues them. The irony is the only place they ever needed to search was within." - Ramona L. Anderson

StrawWalker
on 9/7/11 1:01 pm

VSG on 05/02/11

Try nutritional therapy. I would give a low dose calcium (50mg) at suppertime as well as acidophalous 2xday, once in the am and once before supper. I would also augment with a high quality multivitamin and restrict sugar and high glycemic foods. Also water is critical. Ensure adequate water consumption.
Take care.
StrawWalker

Still Fawn
on 9/7/11 1:07 pm - SIERRA MADRE, CA

Thanks for the advice! My kids take a multi, kids c, and kids omega 3.. I will look into adding calcium. They drink only water, herbal tea, and milk- and lots of it... They don't eat dessert or sweets 5 days out of the week.. Will look at the fruits and starches.. Our diet has been static, however, and this is an emerging issue- you think they could be related?

I am still loving life with my sleeve! Been maintaining at or below goal for over 4 years!
"People spend a lifetime searching for happiness; looking for peace. They chase idle dreams, addictions, religions, even other people, hoping to fill the emptiness that plagues them. The irony is the only place they ever needed to search was within." - Ramona L. Anderson

StrawWalker
on 9/8/11 1:18 am

VSG on 05/02/11

Every pathology or disease manifests due to either a toxicity or nutritional deficiency if it is not congenital. It sounds like you will work on diversity in the diet which is good. I do think from what you state, that your children are being better nourished than most of ours. Good for you. I would then be proned to look into having the child tested for heavy metals. Mercury in particular. You could initiate a subtle chelation by giving the child chlorella.
Take care.
StrawWalker

doggz109
on 9/7/11 1:06 pm - CA

VSG on 01/12/12

I hear you on that.....going through that now with my four year old (scared of the dark and going to sleep) but that is to be expected from that age.

Has she always had these anxieties or is it a new thing? My father has a panic disorder that he developed later in life and therapy worked well for him. I guess he developed a "coping skill" and has some words and phrases he says when he starts panicking and it helps him. He needed a lot of help though to realize that it was just an experience he was going through at the time and that he could control it. Not sure if something like that would work for a child though but I bet there is some good therapy available.

The reason I said no medication - my father was put on Antivan and Prozac (at different times) and ended up having two near suicide attempts. This only started after taking meds and he said his mind totally changed. He was near zombie like too....watching tv for eight hours straight...etc. After he stopped taking them.....was back to normal without a single problem in the past ten years (He is 80 now and started having problems in his early sixties). I don't trust what those meds do to the human mind.

Anyways...just my two cents. I'm sure your girl will be able to work through it!

Still Fawn
on 9/7/11 1:10 pm - SIERRA MADRE, CA

She has always been the nervous type, but extreme anxiety is new.. Past few weeks really. So not like it was never there at all, more that it is escalating greatly.

That is scary about your dad. Trust me, I take everything that goes into my kids bodies very seriously.

For now, I think first step is talk to her ped, rule out any possible physical causes, and find a person she can talk to..

Thanks!

I am still loving life with my sleeve! Been maintaining at or below goal for over 4 years!
"People spend a lifetime searching for happiness; looking for peace. They chase idle dreams, addictions, religions, even other people, hoping to fill the emptiness that plagues them. The irony is the only place they ever needed to search was within." - Ramona L. Anderson

Xpost, OT, kids-anxiety, advice..

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Xpost, OT, kids-anxiety, advice..