What would you do???

[Irenee976]

So my DS2 is suffering from anxiety. Definitely gets worse when college days come back around. So today he's hardly spoke. Walked around with his knuckles touching the floor. Feels sick, got dioreah, sore throat (all trying to get out of college tomorrw). The last week he was at college I said if he didn't do a full week then I couldn't justify him going to his mates party. He managed a full week! (Full week is 3 days btw). Now part of me thinks 'SHOULD HE STAY HOME' but a bigger part of me thinks he has to go to college. If he lets his anxiety stop him from going to college what's next? Can't work cos of it? Can't go out cos of it? Arghhh my head hurts x

Perhaps look into getting him some help with the anxiety?

Have a chat with him and see if he is willing to go and see a GP to get a referral to see a counsellor. Does he not like the college course? Would it be an idea for him to look into doing a different course? Whatever the reason for his anxiety I really think it will be worth him seeking help so he can learn to cope with it. Good luck

Yeah he's seen a gp and has had his first lot of councelling. Thing is he likes his course mostly but he's focusing on the things he finds annoying about it. He actually woke up fine this morning and went in ok. So I'm glad I didn't give in last night and say he could have the day off or her still be lying in bed now x

What type of Counselling is he having OP? Has he tried CBT? What does he want to do after college? I

Just normal 1 to 1 councelling. At the moment he's humming and ahhing about of he wants to stay on his course or change but I think that's the anxiety as he's always enjoyed it up till now x

Is he Y12 or Y13? If Y12, it might be worth considering whether this is the right course for him, whether he'd be better off doing an apprenticeship, or if he's doing A levels, whether BTEC with no exam would suit him better (a lot of teens have anxiety about exams).

Is his therapist teaching him mindfulness techniques to help his anxiety? Is he on any anti-depressants?

Also, with anxiety, giving him a target of doing a whole week might feel like a massive commitment to him (even though it's only 3 days). You could try breaking it down into smaller chunks. If he manages tomorrow - you'll cook his favourite dinner. Only once he's managed one day do you think about incentive for doing the following day.

Sertraline has really helped my teenage son with his anxiety. He didn’t leave the house for over a year, and had all the physical health symptoms you stated.

Talking therapy didn’t really help him, but low dose of sertraline and a few months on he’s able to go out, has a girlfriend etc and his anxiety is now way more manageable

Sertraline

hes only had one session of therepy so far so it's early days. We haven't had any anxiety attacks since Tuesday which I'm pleased about. He knows the option to change course is available but he's very indecisive at the moment xx

@angrymum911 You might want to make your own thread for this but no, your 9 year old daughter having a period doesn't me she's had sex, it means she's got her period