A levels and anxiety

[Mumofthree1972]

Hi my dd is in 6th form developed anxiety in Autumn and despit having weekly counselling for past 4 months doesn't seem to be improving. She's still doing coursework and her last report was good but she doesn't go out with friends and hasn't been out on a family meal/outing for months and says she prefers to stay home. Attendance at school has been very sporadic but school accept her coursework via email. Any advice from parents who've experienced the same. So worried that she'll become aggrophobic. She also had a part time job which she really enjoyed but gave up in November.

You must be worried- it's tough. Not an expert, but is she on medication at all? Is she learning cut techniques of mindfulness which can help? Vitamins? This works sleep spray is v good too.
Is she planning uni or a year out? We find our dog a good stress buster for dd!

Hi twentyten we've not explored medication just yet but I think that may be the next step. I bought a small mindfulness book but I think she's feeling a bit helpless but I've told her it takes practice - same with meditation. She currently says she can't bear the thought of going to uni and I don't want her to even be thinking about that at the moment. I've been buying her rescue remedy pastilles but she declines coming out to anything even going out for tea and has missed quite a few family get togethers lately. We do have a dog and I often ask if she wants to come out even for 10 mins but the answer's always no. Trying to stay upbeat but it's hard sometimes. Many thanks for your ideas though and kind support.

A friend of mine's son went through this, in fact I know quite a few young people who have. In every case their parents have been wonderful, as you are, and havw said

Don't even think about university now, can think about later.

In three cases, child took year off school.

In all cases child has had counseling, in two medication.

In each case child and parent thought they were the only one. But as I say, I can think of 3 boys and two girls .

So worth making contact with others. For your sanity, and then hers.

Hi ancientbuchanan none of my friends children seem to have had similar experiences so being on here has been a help in realising that we aren't the only family dealing with this. Thank you for that.

Hi mum. Glad to try and help. I meant CBT techniques. There are some great apps like headspace to practice mindfulness etc.
people have recommended young minds website as a good resource. I know of several of dd's friends who are either on medication or getting counselling. You are not alone- you will see lots of threads on here. Keep posting

Thank you ??

If she is under 18 it may be worth gp referral to camhs if things are getting worse unless counselling is already via camhs. and with a adolescent psychologist rather than counsellor. Ideally she would also see a psychiatrist through camhs who decides on prescriptions medication if necessary. trying to access support as an adult post 18 is tougher.my DDwas younger and did take time a year out of school but is now happily at uni.i can only advise that getting the right specialist help now is important and taking the pressure off.more teens than you realise take time out at this age .I best of luck

Thank you for your support and I'm glad to hear your DD had been able to move on from it. It's a real positive knowing young people have had similar experiences and moved forward with them.

My DD couldn't cope with A levels, hated 6th form after enjoying previous years. She left at Christmas, works part time and is starting in college in September doing a more vocational course that can also get her to university if she chooses to go.Since she finished she is pink not grey, chest pains and headaches have gone and she is eating properly. She is relaxed and I realised the other day her bedroom door is always open, whereas before she didn't come out of her room.She's slowly picking up outside activities again and is looking for new sports to try. She said how good it is to read a book for pleasure again, something she hadn't done since the summer.I hope your dd. CBT good - have some experience there. You are not alone! Good luck.

Sorry I seem to have gone Yoda at the end of that post! But you get the gist....

Is she eating?
What stage is she at, AS or A2?

Some of the young people repeated a year, going back to it, one continued, one never went back. What does the school suggest?
And what would she like to do? If she can't tell you, is there someone else like a grandparent whom she could?