Anxiety and depression in a 6 year old.

[Carrotsandcelery]

I have posted this in special needs but thought I would post it here as well.

My son, who we thought was going to be diagnosed with ADHD or similar, now looks like he will be diagnosed with anxiety and depression.

He has been referred to clinical psychology at the hospital now, but the appointment could take several months - this is us being fast tracked as it normally takes 18 months here.

I have been googling it but have frightened myself silly with what I have found and thought it might be better to "speak" to someone who has experienced similar.

He is 6 and this seems to be the result of parental bullying, which I have posted about before, where 3 mums have ganged up on him, refusing to believe that their own sons misbehave too, when the school clearly says that they do and that my son's behaviour is no different to their own children's.

What should I expect? What can I do to help my son? I just don't know what to think or where to start.

[cestlavielife]

CAMHS is your best option for long terms upport via NHS - but you could also try a private family therapist if you need to see someone quicker.... just to talkthru the issues

[bittersweetvictory]

I would agree that CAMHS is your best option, you can be referred through your GP or SS, once you get a firm DX for your DS and find out if he needs a statement you will know better what you are dealing with, my own DS is 18 now and ASD and has always suffered from anxiety resulting from bullying at school ( mainly by TA muttering under her breath that he was stupid and this BTW was at a SN school, but thats another story ) your DS is a bit young for medication but depending on the outcome of the DX and how its affecting his everyday life this could be considered as an option.

[Carrotsandcelery]

Thank you both of you.

victory I am shocked by your story. Your poor ds. I am so niave. I had no idea that the world was so mean sometimes.

Do you know if you get CAMHS in Scotland as we live in Scotland?

[bittersweetvictory]

Im in Scotland too, yes, you do get CAMHS in Scotland but ive just looked it up and there is a 26 week waiting list bloody ridiculous, i would have thought that this would be the kind of service that you could access immediately, your GP might be able to hurry it along a bit if you decide to go down that route.
www.scotland.gov.uk/About/scotPerforms/partnerstories/NHSScotlandperformance/CAMHS

[Carrotsandcelery]

Thanks for the link and the information victory - I am off to have a good look.

[bittersweetvictory]

Just seen your post in SN, CAMHS is Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

[LynetteScavo]

I haven't seen your other posts, but will search.

If things are bad due to school, I would advise not sending him anymore.

[BurningBridges]

I can also highly recommend this parents' helpline:

//www.youngminds.org.uk to get advice and support quickly in the meantime - the waiting list for CAMHS can be very long in some areas. Good luck.