I have an 11 yr old who has anxiety and considering using medication, need advice
My 11 year old has been having some issues. He has always been an anxious kid. We finally have been to 2 sessions with a psychiatrist. Our last one is next week. She diagnosed him with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. She said that he should continue with seeing the counsler he has been seeing for the past 2 years and she also is suggesting medication. I am usually against madication and prefer to use alternative methods of treating things, but I am reconsidering. I am aware of the pros and cons. The Dr also stating he may only need the medication for a year or two.
Does anyone know someone with a child being treated for anxiety with medication? Did the medication make a huge difference? What differences did you see? Any other suggestions welcomed. I am just trying to make the best desicion for my child. Thanks Tracey
My 11 year old DD has anxiety and I bought Similisan Anxiety granules. It is an all natural homeopathic remedy. When she seems like she is getting overly anxious about something then she dissolves a few on her tongue and within 15 to 20 minutes she feels much calmer. It doesn't make her sleepy nor does it have any side effects. I refuse to put her on meds, she was on prozac for awhile for Anxiety and ADD and after a year of being on it, it started making her want to hurt herself and have extremely negative thinking. I decided then that I will do everything in my power to find a way around ever putting her on meds again. Good luck.
my husband has anxiety and so does my best friend. the medication helped him sooooo much! its almost completely gone now! they put him on an anti-deppresant at a very low dose and its done wonders. he wasnt a huge fan of meds either, doesnt even like tylenol, but i think this is something that alot of the times is the best option. he plans on weaning himself off of it with doctors ok when all signs of it are gone. he still gets anxious everyonce in awhile, i think maybe once or twice i can remember in the past few months. but hasnt had a full blown panick attack since he started on paxil. they also gave him xanax for if he has an actual attack, but he only took it once when it first started. but having it makes him feel alot better in case for some reason he did need it. all in all the meds helped my husband tremendously!
good luck to you and your son!!
Do you know what the root of the anxiety is? There must be some reason why it's there in the first place. This is off the subject, kind of. I'm reading a new book called "Smart, but Feeling Dumb." It's about Dyslexia Symdfrome. My 11 yr old ds has most of the things this guy describes, and anxiety is high on the list. People who have dyslexia feel anxiety because they can't trust their bodies or their brains to respond consistently or in accordance with social norms. So it makes me wonder, if there's something that's underneath this issue in the first place?
My son had severe ear infections as a younger child and this guy says that all of these things stem from inner ear problem and cerebellum issues. One of the homeopathic things he recommends are B vitamins, especially Niacin. The other is motion sickness medicine.
We are going to his doc today to discuss it more.
He worries about many different things. He hasn't had a panic attack. He isn't doing that great in school either. He has always had anxiety as a child. Does anyone know of any other alternative ways of helping this issue? I will look into the B complex vitamins, I know they have helped me.
Anxiety works the same. What are his core worries. Deal with them, otherwise you are just masking the symptoms but the issue is still there. Don't numb his reactions root out his fears and help him face them. He will feel like he can do anything if you do.
Quoting Nonnie74:
He worries about many different things. He hasn't had a panic attack. He isn't doing that great in school either. He has always had anxiety as a child. Does anyone know of any other alternative ways of helping this issue? I will look into the B complex vitamins, I know they have helped me.
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I've had anxiety ever since 9/11. I do take medication for it.. however, over time I've been able to wean off of it & only need it when I feel an episode coming on.
Nonnie - I think you need to do what YOU think is best for your son. My DD is on medication for ADHD and it has done wonders. She's able to focus & concentrate, which then helps her grades, which then helps her self-esteem.
Hope this helps.
Back at it TUESDAY
- Nonnie74
on Feb. 16, 2010 at 11:23 AM