Has anyone a teenager with social anxiety?
My daughter has developed social anxiety at school. She has panic attacks when I take her to school (so she is now at home) and has panic attacks whilst at school. I have booked her into a psychologist next week. Does anyone have any suggestions? We have tried taking her back to school gradually and it did work for a week, but then she regressed. My husband doesn’t like her not going to school and that stresses me out. He doesn’t understand. I have OCD and am on meds. My anxiety is not good at the moment also.
I am 16 years old with OCD, social anxiety, panic attacks and perhaps Avoidant Personality Disorder.
You stated that your daughter developed social anxiety at school, I am thus wondering if a significant event occurred, setting forth the social anxiety. Look into it and try to get her to open up. However, if she is resistant when you probe, do not go any further or she may withdraw from you. Whatever her response will be, social anxiety does not happen out of the blue, caused by chemicals in the brain. It is brought forth by perhaps traumatic or humiliating experience(s).
Please Google Agoraphobia (social phobia) and Avoidant Personality Disorder.
It is great to see that you, as a mother, care for your daughter. My mother does not seem to care that I have OCD. I had to source for a psychologist on my own and only take money from my mother weekly for the consultation fee.
You have made a smart choice by scheduling an appointment with a psychologist for the start. If medication is deemed necessary to take the edge off, the psychologist will then refer your daughter to a psychiatrist.
I hope that the psychologist is a good one and your daughter opens up.
Good luck and take care.
Comments
Comment from space
Time January 17, 2010 at 11:30 am
I am 16 years old with OCD, social anxiety, panic attacks and perhaps Avoidant Personality Disorder.
You stated that your daughter developed social anxiety at school, I am thus wondering if a significant event occurred, setting forth the social anxiety. Look into it and try to get her to open up. However, if she is resistant when you probe, do not go any further or she may withdraw from you. Whatever her response will be, social anxiety does not happen out of the blue, caused by chemicals in the brain. It is brought forth by perhaps traumatic or humiliating experience(s).
Please Google Agoraphobia (social phobia) and Avoidant Personality Disorder.
It is great to see that you, as a mother, care for your daughter. My mother does not seem to care that I have OCD. I had to source for a psychologist on my own and only take money from my mother weekly for the consultation fee.
You have made a smart choice by scheduling an appointment with a psychologist for the start. If medication is deemed necessary to take the edge off, the psychologist will then refer your daughter to a psychiatrist.
I hope that the psychologist is a good one and your daughter opens up.
Good luck and take care.
References :
Comment from belladmma
Time January 17, 2010 at 11:35 am
Hi! I had 2 kids with anxiety disorder and it was so very hard. My one son missed 65 days one year and was held back even though his marks were high. You are doing the right things. Just hang in there! God was my stronghold. Now, my son is a genius, has made a 7.2 million dollar invention has a masters and PhD. It took drug therapy and meditation techniques. I had to learn how to cope with my anxiety, vertigo and agoraphobia to be able to help him and my daughter. I had to then pass on what I leaned. If you are a Christian, you find that saints suffered with these ailments which led them to a deeper reliance and love for God. You learn it is a gift to stop a human from becoming arrogant and thinking they are perfect. They need too much. (time, help, pills, others, understanding, education, love etc.) God ends up being their last resort because nothing can thoroughly help enough. If that sounds like an excuse, so be it–it works! I have become a capable, loving human being because of my discovery. I now see all of my disabilities as an amazing chance to learn and grow and teach others. You must be a wonderful, deep person that is empathetic and caring. OCD is very hard to cope with and makes you fearful at all times. Fear is the deepest, extreme suffering. Others only understand fear that they can see a reason for. Fear of something seemingly "in your head" is worse. You never feel validated. Not only do you feel fear but you feel stupid. I have learned to read more, do crafts, artwork, take up musical instruments etc. to get my mind off the fear and be assertive. You will have to do this with your kids. Mine have become multifunctional and smart. You and them will survive and fllourish, don’t give in! God Bless and Good luck!
References :
Comment from Joe D
Time January 17, 2010 at 10:56 am
Taking her to a psychologist for therapy is fine, but ALSO take her to a psychiatrist, because it sounds like she may have an extreme case so you may have to consider medicines such as Zoloft. Psychologists are great for therapy, but they are not doctors so they cannot prescribe medicine if necessary. Psychiatrists are doctors though, so they can prescribe medicine if necessary.
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