Anxiety Disorders in Children Support Group

When My son , now 10, had the same issue we had to start Zoloft for his anziety and it did do wonders for it. He is still on it 2 years later and it seems to be working well.

I must agree with Spamula - if therapy isn't working - it is probably chemical and until that part is back on track - things may not change. You are your childs best advocate - don't take no as an answer - keep looking until someone listens...therapist, dr, someone will eventually listen and don't be discouraged if Zoloft isn't the right med - it took us 3 tries to find the right one (it did happen to be Zoloft).

i myself suffer from horrible anxiety...i was always a anxious child, and i also was abused sexually as a child and an adult and i suffer from horrible depression, post traumatic stress disorder, etc. i was anxious and sad before all that stuff happened though, so i know how miserable it is to feel so bad and be young.

i may have to switch to another doctor for him. he did have therapy with me as a family, as did my daughter. they both have anxiety, but his happens to be the major problem right now. it is so hard in my area to find someone to take a child. i used to have good insurance when i worked as a nurse but unfortunately that's gone now because i had to quit work nearly 2 years ago because of cancer and other issues. my kids are on state insurance and you have to fight like tooth and nail even to get basic care, let alone psychiatric care. i was paying cash to see the last therapist. unfortunately she left the clinic and i haven't been able to find a child therapist since. the school is less than helpful. the only thing they did was refer me to child services because my son was exhibiting this behavior of school refusal. i am scared to death they'll be taken away from me now. like i don't have enough problems in life as it is, and i've done everything for my kids i can. heck, i am the only parent who has provided for my children the past six years...i even worked until while suffering from cancer until i ended up admitted for a massive infection. i had to move in with my folks to have a roof over my head since i lost my house about a year after i had to quit work.

today thank god he went into school all on his own. i couldn't believe it this morning. i was ecstatic that he did alright. i even went to see him at lunch and his teacher said he had a great day.

thanks to those of you who responded...i wish this was a more active forum! i am going to find a doc who will consider medication.

oh, and one more question for all you out there who have kids with anxiety...do you have any problems with your kids falling asleep at night?? my son's been struggling with this too. i am going to try some melatonin i think.

thanks again to those who wrote..i appreciate it very much!!!!

I feel really badly for your child. I wish I could send a hug to him. I gave this advice before, but try checking into social stories by Carol Gray. They worked wonders for my son. It may be that the others are right though. He may end up needing meds for awhile until he's old enough to learn the coping skills that he needs.

Melatonin, also works wonders for sleep. It is a natural sleep aid and reccommended by our Pdoc and pediatritian. Start low and work your way up.

My daughter was like your son in Kg and 1st grade until I finally found the right doctor who diagnosed her with anxiety and prescribed her zoloft. The teacher had to literally pry her off of me in the mornings. She cried the whole way to school. She then started getting stomach aches and I was constantly having to pick her up from school. Long story short...six doctors later we found our current psychiatrist and started zoloft and she has some bad mornings about going to school but as not like it was.

Don't give up and like you have already been told keep looking until you find the right doctor.

I am so sorry that you have to deal with this...My son is 8 and has extreme anxiety and will not do very simple things that he has always done in the past. He will not go outside alone, he has to have us sit right beside him at night. We saw his psychiatrist last night and started him on paxil. We couldn't go on anymore, life was too hard for him (and us). I agree with these ladies, it maybe time to get a little more help and there is nothing wrong with this ; ) Jennifer Please pm me if you want to talk

Thank you to all of you who have posted. Your responses have really helped me, and I feel very much relieved I am not alone. I mean, I knew there had to be others out there with children like mine, its just that I feel so isolated when dealing with these things. His father is hardly involved at all. I wish he would just drop out completely, and I know that sounds mean, but it's true. He never calls, or writes, he has no working phone for us to call him, never visits, etc. No regularity, which is what kids need, esp with such anxiety. Even tho I have discussed these things with his dad in the past, nothing changes. My son feels as if his dad doesn't love him. I try to say otherwise but kids see actions and can read through adult BS very easily. His father was abusive to me and that is why we left, I did so when my son was 1. It is very traumatic when he calls and says he wants to take the kids away on a holiday or for a week, when in fact the kids haven't seen him in six months. But the court won't change their rulings, etc. I do not wish to cut him out of their lives completely, but I wish he would grow up and see that his behavior is hurting his son (and daughter). Sigh.
School is going better, no more refusals so far. I have started him on melatonin and it works good. I am trying to find a therapist for him to go to as his left the practice and I want to go somewhere else. There is hardly anyone in my area who takes kids. I know it's important, but physically I am disabled and getting him to appointments is impossible without my mom to drive me and the kids. I am a single mom without any income, waiting on social security disability. If it were not for my parents to take us in I would be lost. My ex owes us thousands of dollars in child support, but he just refuses to work. He has told me before that he will NEVER pay support. The DA won't do anything like put him in jail or anything, like the laws state. He has another daughter he just had with his former mistress that he supports by working under the table here and there.
I had cancer and I have some severe spinal injuries that leave me in constant pain and a wheelchair for the most part. I can walk around the house somewhat but very little. I really want to get back on my own but with these new problems I don't know how I'll manage.
We had conferences for school last night and my son is doing excellent in class. Aced his report card!! Is really doing good and I am so proud of him. Still has anxiety about certain things, and I would be receptive to trying medication but obviously need to find him a therapist/psychiatrist. I am looking, still.
Thank you again for all of you who have replied to me so far. It really helped me.

You have alot on your plate. Take great pride in the fact that you are a strong person, raising your children as a single parent and disabled is hard enough, but to have the extra work of caring for a child with anxiety on top of normal everday life is not easy. The fact that you realize your child needs help and are helping him is more then alot of parents. I wish you the best and keep your chin up you are doing the right thing for your child.

You're very stong and your kids are lucky to have you. I really hope that you get all of the help that that you need for you and your son. Your son is a sounds a lot like mine and I have seen what good meds can do. I wish you the best : ) Jennifer