<p>I have read through several threads here about dealing with anxiety and very much appreciate everyone’s willingness to share their experiences. It really helps to know we aren’t alone.</p>
<p>My D (16) has been struggling with anxiety.</p>
<p>It seemed to start suddenly with a big panic attack, and then continued with physical symptoms which led to more anxiety…I am sure many of you know that cycle. It’s been up and down now for a little over a year. </p>
<p>Early on we tried some self help books/tapes that did seem to help in the short term, and then she tried counseling, tried a couple counselors. She did find one she seems to like, but going just makes her feel worse while she is there, focusing on the issue, so she did get some strategies, but then stopped going. The counselor was on board with her decision.</p>
<p>She has made progress and has ok days…her perspective on how ‘good’ her good days feel changes based on how she is currently feeling.
I think the period of time that she has these good/ok days has gotten longer over time, but it is also getting more frustrating to her when she has setbacks. That is where we are now.</p>
<p>She had a setback a couple weeks ago, when she had to be in a situation similar to when she had her first panic attack, and since then has really had a hard time again. </p>
<p>It is so hard to see her struggle, and she is just worn out and so tired of dealing with it. I think this time is extra hard because she was feeling the best she had in a long time right before this setback…although the anxiety had never truly gone away.</p>
<p>Since there have seemed to be times when it wasn’t so bad, I haven’t focused much on diet, vitamins, etc and have now renewed that research, but we are also talking about meds, and are trying to get an appt with a doctor who can prescribe them, but I am still very hesitant to have her go down that path.</p>
<p>If it she can do meds for a fairly short term (even if that means a couple years) and that makes her more comfortable with sitting in counseling, and then is able to get off the meds…that, of course, is what we’d hope for, but if it means a long term odyssey of meds and side effects, and withdrawals, then that is more troubling. But, if she is going to end up with meds, I would rather she get that figured out now, than wait until she is trying to deal with college.</p>
<p>If you are willing to share more about your journeys and what treatments you found to be effective, or any words of wisdom, it would be appreciated.</p>