Can panic attacks and anxiety disorders begin in a 10 yo? - Page 2

[Naturalyst]

Even if this woman is not too familiar with co-sleeping as part of a parenting approach, she needs honest and full information to best help your daughter. It would be counterproductive to instruct your daughter to hide information. So, if you have concerns, it is probably best that you be upfront so that there is an opportunity to directly address questions.

We did not co-sleep with DSD. But, she was always welcome to crawl-in if she felt anxious or scared - even as a teen. Sometimes she did. And, sometimes we'd find she had dragged-in a blanket to sleep on the floor next to us. Even among people that don't embrace co-sleeping, the need for physical closeness during times of anxiety is understood. So, it shouldn't be hard to explain the philosophy of co-sleeping as an extension of that understanding - if, any explanation is required. The movement of co-sleeping was covered by a big New York Times article not long ago - it's already out of the closet.

You and yours remain in my thoughts.

[guest^]

Thankyou Roar and Naturalyst-

Yes Roar, after trying almost everything out there....I am on Xanax. I have extreme Adrenal Fatigue,Epstein Barre, CMV, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, early surgical menopause after a 20 + yr bout with the most extreme form of Endometriosis, hypothryroid, and Fibromyalgia. So! It's just not so easy for me to go for a good walk or run- i start getting bruises all over my legs(adrenal signs)-even when I started doing my "Great-granny jog" at the beginning of the summer-my legs bruised. I am on runner by nature, and will settle for walking,but don't sleep well, so by the time I wake up, it's too hot for me to even walk. I'm letting you know all ofthis, so you have an idea of the bigger picture.

Now. About the therapist. I know I'm not really thinking straight, so it's good for you to tell me not to hide that-or to even suggest to my DD to lie. Have I had a bad therapist experience? Yes. However, I've had countless horrible doc appts. the most recent happened this late spring. A friend called me to say she went to dr. such and such, and he told her that *I*...a.k.a. mamapoppins tried to do what my friend did-not even knowing that we awere friends. Totally betrayed our family. My friend was kind enough to let us know, and neither of us are going back to him. The topic was vaxes. Nough said. I don't trust docs or therapists. My worst fear has always been that someone would take our DC away from us. all stemmed from horrible things I'd read in the media while going through exztreme stress, and hearing IRL of a member of LLL whose family was put through the coals due to family bed.

Thanks for the FO info.

mp

[Roar]

Sounds like you've been through health hell. I hope that as you've identified many of the problems that you can be on the road to healing. I hope you are getting help from a good naturopath or something trained to help sort this all out. And, I think it is really good you are mindful that the physical conditions really affect the mental. I know when I was hypothyroid it really affected my anxiety.

I would be honest and upfront with the therapist about your worries about confidentiality. I would tell her of your previous betrayal and ask to hear more about how she handles confidential communication. I think it'll put your mind at ease.

[guest^]

Just wanted to post an update...

We took dd to a woman who has a Masters in Educational Psychology(and thinks it's great we HS) and is two weeks away from her PH.D in Child Psychology. She practices CBT. I thought she was great, but DD felt she treated her like a baby. I told DD we would stick it out with her for 4 more sessions...then reevaluate.

In the meantime, DD is resisting any exercises the lady gave us to help her relax....she basically says that anytime I mention *anything* to do with "Her secret"(her words), she starts to panic. And she does.

She is in the vicious cycle of fearing another panic attack.

What we've been through in the past couple weeks is...heartwrenching. Horribly heartwrenching. For ex: DD will cling to me at night, begging me to not let her die-she is convinced that the feeling she experiences in her heart, means it will literally stop beating. She is hyper-aware of every little thing in her body-convinced that she is terminally ill and will die soon.

ON the positive, the books you recommended Roar-are EXTREMELY helpful. THNAKYOU!! Also, DH and I are now looking at DD in a *much* different light. What we may have labeled her earlier as being rude,impatient,self-absorbed,fit-throwing, out of control, picky,etc...(never to her face...well-most of the time anyway-we're not perfect here!) we are now recognizing that she has been suffering silently from GAD for at least the last 3 years. I am now dealing with a tremendous amount of guilt-How could I have not caught this before? I am(as my close family and friends say-The Queen Of Anxiety!) And here is my precious DD, suffering-and I never caught on. HOWEVER!!!!!! This is an opportunity for DD,me and the rest of the family to learn and heal. I know this isn't completely my fault, I know there is a strong genetic factor. But, I have quite a bit of self-work ahead of me. And Lord knows, I will do anything for my DC.

Thoughts and prayers are sure welcomed,
mp

[loriforeman]

my sister was gang-raped at the age of nine. we ended up having to move...because even small things would trigger the biggest panic attacks. she'd scream, claw her face to shreds, and run down the street, trying to hide in the ditches.

there are a myriad of issues that can plague children, just as adults.

[Surfacing]

I too had anxiety and panic attacks from the time I was a kid, learned great coping skills, and fear dd (who is tempermentally similar to me) will have similar problems. Hugs to the mamas who are working through their own issues and helping their children with this.