How to help an anxious teen having panic attacks

[Stilllivinginazoo]

Thats it in a nutshell
My D's always been a bit of a worrier(sun going to implode one day etc) but in past year it's escalated significantly
He has had trouble getting to sleep at night for about 6months(lays reading til gone midnight and I often get up to his light on and book open beside him)
Has been saying I love you even if just leaving room I'm in for past 3 months or so I asked why and he said scared if doesn't say it whilst has chance he may not see me again
Has developed sensory issues with food (always bit funny with chewy stuff,gotten significantly worse)

He got sent home from school palpitations and red face week last Friday,with demands needs be seen by gp.bloods done for aneamia and thyroid which have come back ok so they saying it's panic attacks,which during past week have significantly escalated.hes been off school a week(trying to get hold staff to discuss supported return) as attpts to get him into our all church community last week end really proved stressful for him
He has now been accepted back to school in supported room for two weeks(then reviewed) gp has refer to cahms and I have a D's that's quiet,fearful of loads of things(crowds,noise,heights) to point serious impacting his life.he keeps touch chest/neck as heart rate accelerates and paces.i encourage him to colour,and do slow breaths as hyperventilated last weekend and was hysterical

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.x

Seems like you are doing everything that you can. If he gets to panicky call 111 and see a Dr. They might give him something short term until he can see the people at CAMHS.
From what you've said it seems like a calm and quiet environment is what he needs. Perhaps concentrate on that for now before expecting for him to go back into the community.

Forgot to say if something is bothering him and he needs to discuss anything that he may not be able to discuss with you, perhaps a call to Childline or Samaritans.

Thank you for the reply noego

Hi a couple of practical suggestions. When panic takes over you 'lose' your thinking part of your brain. Chewing gum can help to get it going again. We have used this to great effect with our child. Also smell, find a smell he likes, this can reach his brain when it is shutting down with panic. Eg my best smell is gingerbread, the smell gives me something to anchor to when my anxiety is starting to spiral. And going for a walk (chose a time of the day and stick to it) helps too.

For me when my kids are out of control with anxiety this helps. When they become a bit more grounded then you have more chance of getting them to access their words and talk to you/ open up to others/ strategise. This takes time. I feel helpless when it happens and find it helps to have a focus. You cannot eat the elephant in one go but if you start with calming his system down then he has more chance of finding a way forward.

Best of luck

Poor boy that sounds awful for him. Not sure how old he is but there is medication to help with these symptoms in the short term alongside therapy for a longer term solution.

My DS is going through similar. He is 12 and is currently unable to go to school due to having panic attacks every time he tries to get ready to go. He has had 6 month s of therapy through Camhs, which was useful in the sense of being able to talk it through with someone else, but didn’t really offer any strategies to deal with attacks when they happen.

I recently bought my son a Bach’s Rescue remedy spray. I am rather sceptical of this sort of thing, but whether it’s psychological or not, he finds the act of spraying it in his mouth and feeling like he’s doing something positive to calm down does help. Incidentally our GP said there was no prescription medication he could be given.

I would add that if your child’s school is supportive that’s great, but in our situation we have been constantly bullied about DS attendance. Make it clear that anxiety is just as much an illness as anything physical. I hope your son starts feeling better soon.

There’s some info on here too

youngminds.org.uk/find-help/conditions/anxiety/#treating-anxiety

shannonrockallmalon interesting.can I buy Bach flower at a pharmacy?and is there a safe kit on dosage?someone I knew as a child gave stressed cat that and worked like a charm!(didn't think if it til you mentioned it)
So sorry things at school are so rubbish.im hoping we will be ok,but it remains to be seen as he's start back tomorrow on reduced hours.im worried how they will handle him if he freaks out.we shall have to see how he goes and keep my fears to myself

Imstartingtogetfitnow the smell idea is very intriguing.i find mint very comforting and often suck polos/tictacs when stressed.i will try talk to him whilst he's calm and see if he has a favourite scent.

Ohcrepe will have a look at that link in a mo

Thanks to all for your suggestions

I got the Bach’s remedy from a high street chemist. Says safe for all ages and no limit to how many times it can be safely used.

You could also try meditations. This can be done together or separately.
He doesn't have to do these when he has an attack. 2/3 times a day for 10 minutes will help him.

Ok cool
His favourite smell is apparently"roast dinner bush"(rosemary) so that should be relatively easy to ensure he has that scent on him tomorrow

Some great advice on this thread, thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences. My DD is 10 and has incredible anxiety and sometimes it feels like we are the only family facing this. I feel so grateful to have read we're not alone and have some things to try.

chrysanthemum if you like Id be more than happy to host a thread for mums/parents/carers with anxious kids?anyone interested in offering a space to gain advice/vent/feel less isolated?

Chrysanthemum my dd got really anxious last year aged 11 and this book really helped. We had a designated worry time which was the time she could talk about everything otherwise it was constant. Mainly related to health concerns. No panic attacks fortunately but some dizzy/out of body feelings. She’s a lot better now.

Thanks for sharing that ohcrepe I have had issues anxiety myself and it gives me hope now things have changed(no longer just pull yourself together advice) he has prospect of better life than mine.x

He’s lucky to have you on his side. It can get better. It’s just awful when your body starts to react in ways you can’t easily control. I hope tomorrow goes well xx

DD is not generally anxious but flipped out one year about GCSE.
Anyway, I took her to a counsellor who taught her loads of grounding strategies, breathing, etc. Only 2-3 sessions, but DD says they helped a lot.

Me, I'm horrible. If she goes off on one I say very unsympathetic things until she's shouting fury at me. I reckon that's better than her having breathing difficulties or both of us feeling very scared.

Not saying this is at all true of anyone else least of all the children of other posters, but my DD is a bit drama llama, and likes getting het up.

Just a quick tip, Stilllivinginazoo, you can buy rosemary essential oil from a decent sized pharmacy or health shop, or online. Your DS could put drops on a tissue to take out with him, you can burn it in an oil burner with tealights at home, put a few drops in a relaxing bath. Hope that's helpful.

Good to knowreenchantment thanks for that.
Everyone's been so helpful.its really appreciated

Stillliviinginazoo- that would be incredibly helpful thank you!