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Child health anxiety

8 replies

ThisLittleLightOfMineee · Yesterday 00:28

My child has extreme anxiety around their health. Any cough or cold can make them convinced that they need to go to hospital and they will demand that I take them. If I don’t (which I don’t, because I don’t believe they need to go), they become extremely angry, distressed and upset.

It can be anything really a stomach ache, cough, toothache, sneeze, etc. They immediately think something is seriously wrong and that they need to be seen urgently at hospital.

I took them to the GP because it’s becoming increasingly difficult to manage, and the GP said there is nothing physically wrong with them. I asked about medication for the anxiety, but was told they can’t prescribe it and that it would need to come through CAMHS.

The problem is CAMHS have declined us and said they won’t help.

Has anyone else experienced this with their child? What did you do when the anxiety was this extreme, especially when CAMHS wouldn’t get involved?

I’d really appreciate advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation. They are refusing to leave the house atm because they are ill and constantly ask for medication but no symptoms of any illnesses.

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PersephoneParlormaid · Yesterday 06:55

Can you afford any private counselling? Is it affecting schooling so you could ask for some help from them?

OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · Yesterday 07:00

DSC (girls) were both like this.

Both diagnosed with autism and ADHD in late teens.

Can you try this route with CAMHS?

NotSureNeedSomething · Yesterday 07:25

How old is your child?
why have they declined you? Usually CAMHS (like many other services) have a tiered approach and if other supports haven’t been tried first (such as school pastoral/ELSA/counsellor or local area support) or if a threshold isn’t met then you will be declined.
Psychiatrists often want to see that talking therapies/therapy has been tried first before even considering medication for children. You could of course see if a private psychiatrist would prescribe but will be costly.

@OnlyMabelInTheBuilding that route is usually incredibly long and requires a lot of evidence to suggest that a diagnosis may be suitable. Many CAMHS are tightening up even more due to long waiting lists for ND assessments…

NotSureNeedSomething · Yesterday 07:28

Also what does your DC want? Again, age is relevant here.
Be mindful that counselling isn’t the first line treatment for many anxieties or mh presentations but is always recommended first, CBT is, although CBT is hard work and not everyone’s cup of tea! I do think counselling is great though.

I say this as both a counsellor and a CBT therapist! Also having worked in CAMHS

ThisLittleLightOfMineee · Yesterday 12:42

No I cannot afford private I had to give up work to care for them so private isn’t an option, I was looking for medication for anxiety rather than counselling. They do not think they have a problem as obviously think that they are ill.

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ThisLittleLightOfMineee · Yesterday 12:43

Sorry should have said 15 years old

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AchingLambs · Today 01:40

ThisLittleLightOfMineee · Yesterday 12:43

Sorry should have said 15 years old

At 15, they can take themselves to hospital and deal with the clinicians themselves. Just leave them to it

ThisLittleLightOfMineee · Today 02:17

erm thanks for the advice (not)

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