Posted by daisym on May 21, 2005, at 23:00:57
I have a son with an anxiety disorder. He will be entering high school next year. His older brothers will both be away at Universities, one a Junior and one a freshman. So essentially, he turns into an only child.
Currently my son is not on medication. He has in the past been on paxil, which he did well on. He's been in therapy since 6th grade (wow, almost 3 years) going 1x per month most of this year. We increase when we need to and decrease as well. The current plan is that he goes back in August to make a plan and get ready for high school.
One of the major stressors for him is that his dad is sick so much and has unpredictable mood swings. A month ago dad spent 8 days in the hospital. I wasn't home when the crisis hit...I was on a business trip. My youngest was home alone with him (big brother was at rehersal) so he ended up having to "make" dad go to the emergency room. Totally his nightmare. Since then he has hidden in his room ALOT. He resisted going to the hosptial to visit unless I insisted. Now that dad is home and much better, he still is hiding in his room a lot.
I asked him if he wanted to go see his therapist. He says "no, it is over. I don't need him." But I'm worried. Is he just turning into a teenager (he is 13) or is this a quiet return to an overwhelming anxious state. He has had multiple stomach aches, always a sign that he is anxious and has missed school here and there. I have made him go other times, even with a stomach ache.
I almost picked up the phone on Friday and called his therapist. I could send an email too. But I don't know if I'm over reacting. When do you step back and let them decide if they should go or not go?
I guess I don't trust my judgement since I am pretty anxious about all of this myself.
poster:daisym
thread:501000
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/child/20050226/msgs/501000.html