Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Help with DD14's anxiety

11 replies

AnimalMineralVegetable · 06/12/2023 07:41

Posting on here for traffic.

So, it's become clear that DD14 is experiencing anxiety. We sought advice from GP once we realised what was happening. They advised going down counselling route. The school has been extremely supportive and have set up academic support and the counselling. At home we are doing what we can in terms of promoting positive self affirmation, provided aromatherapy scents, encouraging her to perform her breathing exercises and so on.

Despite this, DD's anxiety levels have gone up to a more serious level, so we got back in touch with GP. GP tells us there is nothing he can really offer unless we are on a private health care scheme. He cannot prescribe for anxiety, and there's nothing we can get without prescription from the pharmacist or off the shelf. DD is getting desperate. It seems she would need to see a psychiatrist to have access to those types of meds, and the waiting list for that is long, and they're saying she's not serious enough to be referred to CAHMs.

So, is there anything anyone knows of, maybe something herbal/natural, that they've tried with an under-18 that has helped? TIA.

OP posts:
Lammveg · 06/12/2023 07:58

Is a private psychiatrist within budget?

I don't think they'll be many things suitable even over the counter for her age sadly

pastaandpesto · 06/12/2023 08:05

I'm really sorry for your DD, it's utterly shit. We had/have the same situation - GPs cannot prescribe to children, but there is basically zero CAHMS service where we are. GP was willing to refer but said the wait would be at least two years. We were also advised to go privately if we possibly could.

My young teen takes CBD gummies and finds them helpful up to a point.

AnimalMineralVegetable · 07/12/2023 07:05

Thanks for your advice so far. All constructive and helpful.
Unfortunately a psychiatrist is not affordable, but I'll explore the other options.

@pastaandpesto is this the sort of CBD product you mean please?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gummies-Stength-Chewable-Soreness-Flavoured/dp/B0B2KKNQ4P/ref=mp_s_a_1_27?crid=1EPB0W2LKH4W1&keywords=cbd+gummies&qid=1701929628&sprefix=cbd+gummies%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-27

OP posts:
violetcuriosity · 07/12/2023 07:18

I'm SENCO in a special school for children with mental health conditions- I'm currently on Mat leave but I'm pretty sure a paediatrician can prescribe sertraline or escalitopram. Ask for a referral to paeds.

ExtraOnions · 07/12/2023 07:48

DD is 17, and started Sertraline in June (after missing 3 years schooling due to anxiety). You can only get it prescribed by the consultant at CAMHS, which is a bit rubbish as it takes years (2.5 years in our case) to get yourself through the system.

We tried lots of over the counter stuff, but nothing worked. We did (and still do), have her seeing a therapist once a week for “talking therapies” which has been great.

The frustration is that, had she started with meds at 14 (when he EBSA) started, she probably wouldn’t have missed so much education. Keep pushing for a CAMHS referral.

Theoscargoesto · 07/12/2023 08:17

As well as Young Minds, the Childline website www.childline.org.uk is very good. It’s informative and also has many strategies for coping skills: distraction and building one’s own coping kit, for example. The Childline phone line and 1-2-1 Chat functions can also be helpful in the moment for young people.

If counselling is helping, has your DD asked if the counsellor can help her access more or different support?

Childline | Childline

Get help and advice about a wide range of issues, call us on 0800 1111, talk to a counsellor online, send Childline an email or post on the message boards.

http://www.childline.org.uk

Hipnotised · 07/12/2023 08:54

DD found aromatherapy roll ons for her wrists were really good, her counsellor at school recommended them.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B08JL4GWRV?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

We found her friendship groups made all the difference to her anxiety levels and thankfully she's in a really calm, grounded group now.

SlothOfDespair · 07/12/2023 09:07

DS was prescribed fluoxetine for low mood and propanolol (beta blockers) for anxiety, by his GP, at the age of 15. A surprisingly high dose of propanolol actually.

I was surprised that they would medicate at 15.... and the meds were not a solution...., but they did enable him to get into school more frequently and to sit his GCSEs last year.

So I would say, look into relevant NiCE guidelines which deal with anxiety and medication and young people. Listen to your DD, do not force her into situations which make her anxious. Carry on with any/every bit of support and counselling you can get.
There aren't really quick solutions.

SlothOfDespair · 07/12/2023 09:10

Also, my elder DS has had years of anxiety (amongst everything else). I seem to remember, they started him off on phenergen - an antihistamine??? safe for use with babies, I believe. Sorry, I haven't got time now to get the facts. Maybe you could do some googling to inform yourself before you see the GP, then you can ask about specific options.

TeenDivided · 07/12/2023 09:17

Our GP prescribed propranolol (beta blocker) to DD when she was 15, but nothing stronger.
We eventually went private to a Consultant Psychiatrist who put her on to Fluoxetine at 16. (She was not attending education at all at the time, y11).

There is a child mental health board on MN you may find helpful.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread