Not sure where to turn

[Londondreamer]

I have a 16 year old DS who has suffered from anxiety for quite some time and it seems to be getting worse and I don't know where to go from here.

He has always had anxious traits but when he started year 11, it really became a problem. At the start of the year, he started having "melt downs" the school called them and would be put in isolation to work, which i suspect made things worse. He then started refusing to go in, if I did some how persuade him, he would just walk out and I never knew where he was.

He was referred to Camhs and the school promised counselling but nothing ever happened. In the end, because it was approaching GCSE and I at least wanted him to be doing some sort of learning, rather then be in isolation or just leaving, I worked with the school and home schooled him for the last few months, mainly just to make sure he actually took the exams.

Now he has left school and got a place in college. On his first day, a member of staff rang me and said he is very uncomfortable and finding everything very hard. She did ask if he had an anxiety condition and suggested I contact the GP because it looked quite severe. He then left the college and came home. He has since dropped out completely and I am trying to find a smaller college environment which might be more suitable but its hard.

With him being so anxious about college, he hasn't been sleeping at night and then sleeps all day. I try and get him up but easier said then done as you can imagine. He spoke to the GP today who asked various questions, asked if we had heard from Camhs ?(no) can he see the councillor at college ?(no, because I've left) and then just gave him some websites he thought would be useful and left it at that.
I really don't know what to do. Should I chase the camhs referral, I don't even know how to contact them or do I try and find some private care, either a psychologist or a psychiatrist? I'm not even sure which would more appropriate. I just don't think he's going to get anywhere through the GP.

Sorry for such a long rant, I'm just so stressed about it, I'm not sure what to do😥

Was an EHCNA requested? If not, you need to request one. On their website IPSEA has a model letter you can use.

Yes, chase CAMHS. You should be able to find a contact number online - even if it isn’t the right one they should be able to point you in the right direction. If you want to go private, whether you want a psychologist or psychiatrist depends on what you want e.g. do you want therapy, medication…

Thanks for your reply,

I managed to track down CAMHS and they are going to ring me back with where he is in the process, so fingers crossed for that .

I will look into the EHCNA, it's never been mentioned, so I'm assuming it hasn't been requested.

It's so frustrating . I don't know what to do for the best. I'd just like someone to see him face to face, so he could explain what he's feeling. I'll see what happens when CAMHS get back to me, at least then we'll have an idea of time scales. If it's still looks like it will a long wait, I'll have to try and go the private route because I think he needs help sooner rather then later.

Thanks again

You would know if an EHCNA had been requested. Do request one and appeal if refused. If the LA agree to assess various assessments are or can be part of the needs assessment including e.g. ed psych, OT, clinical psychologist, psychiatrist. And if you get an EHCP, ongoing support can be part of the EHCP.

Keep chasing CAMHS. I used to get in touch with them every week “where is the appointment” “where is she on the list” etc. They started her on Sertraline a few months back, which has made a massive difference in controlling her anxiety

I managed to finally speak to CAMHS and we've got a video appointment next week, so it feels like we might be getting somewhere.

Thanks for all your advice and I'm sending lots of hugs to all those going through this, it's such a hard road to just get some help for our children.