Anyone dealing with anxiety?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-03-2005
Anyone dealing with anxiety?
4
Mon, 02-27-2006 - 2:15pm
I haven't been on in awhile. My daughter was recently dx'd with generalized anxiety disoreder with OCD tendencies by a psychiatrist. She was previously dx'd Aspergers (school team), but now they are unsure. We have started her on Zoloft to deal with the anxiety. She is currently in Pre school thru the school dist and doing GREAT, mainly becuz it's "safe" and predictable. She knows everyone and the routine in the same. We have spent the first 5 years of her life stuck at home due to her SID and what we now realize is anxiety. Is anyone out there dealing with anxiety? I am looking for any advice or support.
Thanks
Julie
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 02-27-2006 - 2:56pm

Hi - my son has aspergers and anxiety disorders. His anxiety is what is causing most of his behavior problems at school. I believe there are several others here who have anxiety issues. You are not alone.

How long has your DD been on Zoloft? Is it helping? This is one of the meds (along with Paxil) that we are considering - but both pediatrician and pediatric neurologist believe there is more to be done for my son before we consider meds - but we may go that route someday - we'll see.

((HUGS))
Christie

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-24-2004
Mon, 02-27-2006 - 2:57pm

Hi Julie!

My son is 7 and HFA. He also has sensory and anxiety issues too. He's also obsessive and ritualistic as well.

He likes his routine, and does pretty well as long as the day flows well. I bought him a magnetic calendar when he was in preschool. It helps him to follow the days, and know what to expect. Like school days, days home, dr appts, when daddy is home, haircut, etc.. He still uses it too.

We don't go out much either. It can be stressful for him somedays. We don't take any meds right now. He does well at school, and we keep things pretty mellow for him at home. I'm not out ruling meds yet.....we may have to in the future! But for now he seems ok. He copes pretty well with things ....loud noises, lights, too many people, etc... But I can tell when something is bothering him or when it's time to go home.

How does your dd do at home? Is the Zoloft working for her?

michelle

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-11-2003
Tue, 02-28-2006 - 6:59am

My dd was dx with an anxiety disorder (selective mutism) when she was 3. She's gotten much better over the years but its still a problem now and then. We didn't want to go the medication route because she was so little then. I did intensive sensory integration therapy with her at home. That helped a lot. We also teated her for yeast overgrowth with probiotics and natural antifungals. That was a dramatic intervention for her! At the begining of this school yr we tried theraputic listening. I think that would have been really good for her but we couldn't stick with it. We also play a subliminal relaxation CD for her every night http://www.subliminals-training.com/ I know it sounds wacky but we really saw a decrease in her anxiety with it. (it did nothing for her brother (AS) though) Educating her teachers what anxiety looks likes has also been a big help for dd.

Samantha

Samantha
Avatar for kingalex
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Tue, 02-28-2006 - 7:03am

Alex is also AS and has a lot of anxiety issues. He has been on Zoloft since last June, and it has helped him a great deal. He still has times when his anxiety causes him meltdowns (and behavior problems in school), but there is a marked improvement being on the Zoloft. Alex is 8 and in the 3rd grade.

Laurie

Laurie