To need emergency help for my son’s mental health?

He’s not had a strep infection recently had he?

We view a&e as an absolute last resort for dd for mental health. She needs to feel supported and safe to get better and unless she is in active danger, a&e is not going to make that happen.

there comes a point where you just need to move to disrupt and distract. Sour candy. . weighted blanket or a firm hug. You-tube videos Or simple video games.

for us it can help to talk a bit about the cause of the anxiety. Dd and I have similar brains so I often can relate an experience that provides perspective.

once the crisis passes, advocate for a daily med like sertraline and therapy.

Has he been going into school still? Is the anxiety school related? Do yuo know what it is about school that is stressing him out so much? Might telling him he doesn't have to go into school for the next 10 days help him calm down perhaps?

If school is the cause of the anxiety then you might have to really think about alternatives to this school as he can't go on like this poor thing. I really hope he feels better soon.

This!

especiallly as OP said manic and jumping at shadows

I work in CAMHS. The cold water advice is a coping skill we recommend a lot. Anything with a strong sensory feel should help ground and refocus- weighted blankets, a tight hug, sour sweet, intense exercise, even loud music can help when you’re really overwhelmed. Or make a soothe box with things like squishies, fidget toys, nice smelly things, sudoku etc…sounds basic but when we feel completely overwhelmed simple sensiry things can really help. Practising breathing exercises and 54321 is good but he will need to practice these when calm for them to be effective.

Mental health services is a postcode lottery what will happen in one trust is not what will happen in another trust. Neither of you are right or wrong its just the reality of how unfair the nhs is.

Yes, been there multiple times with a teen, and depending what the issue is, they can do and help. It obviously depends but GP can't do anything.

That's actually excellent advice I once attempted suicide when I had a uti. Its always the first thing I check now if I feel I'm slipping. Another thing op has he started any new meds recently?

This is very good advice

I know that in adult crisis assessment services they prescribe Promethazine, a sedating antihistamine that you can buy over the counter. I don't know what the age guidance is on it but it may be worth looking at. If you become really concerned for his welfare call your local Crisis Line for advice.

I wish I had proper advice for you OP but only have experience with adult MH services.

I really hope your son stabalise soon

Make sure he stays hydrated and ask for a UTI screen. A sudden escalation of psychological symptoms can be a result of a urinary infection. It’s more common in the elderly but there’s no harm in getting checked.

Can he do something to disperse the adrenaline? Can someone take him out for a jog or do some intense aerobics in the house or something.

Trying to relax when your body is surging with adrenaline is hard. If he can use it up first, he might find it easier to relax a little afterwards.

@HJBeans Please don't listen to people diagnosing your ds- that's for the psychiatrists to do.
Now he needs urgent help. I have been there with DS1 (also started at 12 y old) at child psychiatry urgency and what they give to calm a child down (who is clearly suffering) is: Cyamemazine (Tercian), also known as cyamepromazine.
It will make him a bit sleepy but no long term effects. I now give him (15 y old) his dose every evening because he will not be able to cope without it. Autistic, heavy OCD and anxiety.
Mental illnesses often debuts with puberty so now this. Then again it can be reactional or other neurological factors behind (as for my ds him being autistic is the main problem and the mh problems are related).
All this will need to be evaluated by professionnals- not by mn posters. But please get him first emergency help because he must suffer. I wish you all the best and a big hug for you 💐

From what she has said I agree with my advice and you can agree with yours!

I have personal experience of this

GPs can prescribe propranalol for anxiety...don't let them fob you off.
You can get promethazine from the chemist for sleep.
Try getting him to submerge his head into a bowl of cold water for 20 seconds (or as long as he can) to reset his vasovagal response.
Sniffing isopropol alcohol on a tissue can help with nausea.
I'm so sorry for him, and you, op.
I'd agree with not taking him to a&e...it was utterly pointless for dd and very distressing.
If you possibly can, try and get a private psychiatrist who can diagnose and prescribe.

I agree -
a +e’s are woefully awful places especially for mental health issues -
it would be only in life / death situation I would take my child for a mental health issue to A+E -
Utter last resort -

Yes, I know these things do happen and seems to be highly variable between areas. Mental healthcare in this country is absolutely abysmal at the best of times, but when its children who are affected it absolutely fucking stinks, doesn't it?

I was going to mention this ^ Do look at that website, OP. It might not be PANs/PANDAS but it’s sensible to get it ruled out.

a child in my life recently did exactly what you suggest.

a section was suggested- there was no bed, and no knowledge as to when their would be one. The solution was to keep them in a&e for the days it would take- no treatment, that’s for the psychiatric hospital.

he was told he would likely be in adult wards/hospital and certainly in adult a&e (in a corridor, watched by the police watching either sectioned adults

this is common btw.

at one point it was even suggested the police might need to take him to the station for safety.

The parent left-the next day saw the Gp. The GP said “thank god you didn’t leave him there. I can’t tell you how badly that would’ve gone”

just to make it clear- I don’t believe OPs son is in that level of MH crisis. However, consider what they will do at hospital if he is. It very likely isn’t what you expect.

it’s something that should only happen when it’s truly needed with no alternative.

Although this does sound like severe anxiety, I’d be asking the medical professionals to rule out anything physical (stiff neck, upset stomach, headache can all be signs of physical illness). They need to do blood tests. This might also be helpful in that he’ll be reassured that doctors are taking him seriously (even if there’s not a lot they can do if it’s mental health related).

Exercise will help as others have said and I’d be looking into melatonin or promethazine so he can get into a deeper sleep. Once he can get some restorative rest, he’ll be calmer.

https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/docs/default-source/members/devolved-nations/rcpsych-in-scotland/faculties/pandas-pans-presentation-mlim.pdf?sfvrsn=69a979a_2

This is a reputable source.

If you can afford it, a private psychiatrist. It’s the only thing that helped my 12 year old (medication)

It's definitely not ideal but, given the absence of an alternative, it's probably the best option for getting support and, potentially, medication to calm things down. He can't just be left like this.

Oh gosh,@HJBeans, I'm so sorry this is happening to you and your son.

I'd take him in ASAP.

They will be able to give him medication to calm him down while they try and figure out if there's an underlying physical cause (e.g. PANS/PANDAS as others have said).

If not, an A&E admission can sometimes fast track for other support depending on the area.

Sending love to you both x

Have you tried taking someone in mental health crisis to a&e?
What would you be taking him for- what do you think they’d do to help?

that's not an antagonistic question btw- as someone who has been through it recently I do wonder what you see as the risks and advantages for a young person like this to be in a&e?