Teen with anxiety, how can I help her?

[BigSandyBalls2015]

DD is 19 and at uni, she’s enjoying it but admitted this weekend that she has been suffering from palpitations and anxiety. Feels sick quite often and struggling to eat when she feels like that. She’s lost a lot of weight since starting uni in sept. She says she has no idea why she gets this as she’s happy with the course and has made some lovely friends, it seems quite random.

I’ve asked her to see her GP but what else can I do to help her. Her words “your generation is a bit shit with mental health” are ringing in my ears!

Even if she sees a GP it will take a while to get any help, unless she just gets given AD's.

The best thing I ever did for my daughter was get her a course of counselling. It cost around £300 for 6 x 1 hour sessions. The counsellor helped her work through what started the anxiety and gave good advice on how to cope with anxiety panic attacks and recommended books and apps and videos to watch online.

We talk a lot about it. With dd it helps if I just listen and don't jump in with advice - which is often quite difficult for me!

My daughter was similar and also suffered with depression. She got into yoga and it's made a huge difference to her mental and physical health.

I would second getting counselling specifically for anxiety, it can really help having someone to talk to and can offer strategies for coping. The uni counselling services usually offer free sessions but like the NHS it can take a long time to get up the waiting list and then the sessions are limited in number. The GP might suggest taking beta blockers (like propanalol) or a low dose of sertraline to help dampen down the anxiety. Anxiety issues are very common at uni. It is a huge change from being at home so even though she is happy and making new friends and having a great adventure, anxiety can surface seemingly with no one specific reason.

One last thought, if your DD isn't eating well I'd also get her iron/ferritin levels checked with the GP as anaemia symptoms can be very similar to anxiety symptoms (palpatations, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, mild nausea etc).

DD, 15, this week has started counselling following getting over stressed/anxious.
She told the counsellor she tries to meditate and was recommended 2 guided meditation Apps - Calm and HeadSpace. We downloaded the trial version of Calm and she got to sleep by herself last night for the first time in months. DH is currently trying to work out how to pay to get the full version.
We also had blood test and has come back as mildly anaemic...

Thanks all that’s very helpful