Re: son having panic attacks at school

[Guest guest]

So off my ds (12 yrs old, OCD,GAD, depression) goes to school this a.m. after

a 2 week break. He'd started having panic attacks at school 2 weeks before

break. First time this has happened since kindergarten. Both attacks were test

related. He took his last test right before break and did well. Had a

reasonably good break - even saw flashes of the old " him " - moments of

happiness!

he spent most of the day yesterday worrying about going back to school, but

seemed ok in the evening. A few tears this morning, but he even repeated his

mantra " I am smart, I am capable, I can do this " severeral times OUT LOUD ( I

almost fainted - he never does this). I was feeling proud and confident he was

going to make this a new fresh start.

Then 2 hours later the school is calling. He lost it in math class because

he couldn't remember how to do all the stuff they had learned before break. He

ended up curled up in a ball in the counselor's office bawling, barely able

to breathe, feeling like he was dying. Calmed down after talking to his dad on

the phone and walking with his counselor, and she was going to work on

getting him back to class.

I am at a loss as to what to do! His meds have been altered 4 times since

Sept when he returned to school and got super depressed and anxious. He started

the school year on 10 mg of Prozac. Now he's up to 20 mg plus .5 mg of

Risperdal. He's seeing a therapist weekly, who is not using ERP, but is using

CBT

to " fight the bully " in his head. I really don't know where to go from here.

I told the counselor I think he needs to have his expectations lowered at

school until we can figure this all out. I have already requested a 504 plan,

and

the process has started. The teachers have been great and accomodating on

their own - reduced his reading requirement (couldn't read a book if it's got

chapters - gets too overwhelmed that he'll never be able to finish it) and cut

his last math test into sections to give him one at a time so he won't be

overwhelmed and " blank out " from worrying.

I told the counselor there needs to be some type of temporary plan in place

by the end of the day, or I don't know how I'm gonna get him to school

tomorrow, because he'll just be worried it'll happen again. Meanwhile, I am

just

heartbroken, fatigued, frustrated, angry, and alone. . I feel like I'm doing

everything i can do, and he's still just sufferring. Has anyone out there dealt

with these debilitating panic attacks at school and had any success with it?

I'd love to hear any ideas you might have!!

Thanks for listening. - in MI

**************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.

http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489

[Guest guest]

So off my ds (12 yrs old, OCD,GAD, depression) goes to school this a.m. after

a 2 week break. He'd started having panic attacks at school 2 weeks before

break. First time this has happened since kindergarten. Both attacks were test

related. He took his last test right before break and did well. Had a

reasonably good break - even saw flashes of the old " him " - moments of

happiness!

he spent most of the day yesterday worrying about going back to school, but

seemed ok in the evening. A few tears this morning, but he even repeated his

mantra " I am smart, I am capable, I can do this " severeral times OUT LOUD ( I

almost fainted - he never does this). I was feeling proud and confident he was

going to make this a new fresh start.

Then 2 hours later the school is calling. He lost it in math class because

he couldn't remember how to do all the stuff they had learned before break. He

ended up curled up in a ball in the counselor's office bawling, barely able

to breathe, feeling like he was dying. Calmed down after talking to his dad on

the phone and walking with his counselor, and she was going to work on

getting him back to class.

I am at a loss as to what to do! His meds have been altered 4 times since

Sept when he returned to school and got super depressed and anxious. He started

the school year on 10 mg of Prozac. Now he's up to 20 mg plus .5 mg of

Risperdal. He's seeing a therapist weekly, who is not using ERP, but is using

CBT

to " fight the bully " in his head. I really don't know where to go from here.

I told the counselor I think he needs to have his expectations lowered at

school until we can figure this all out. I have already requested a 504 plan,

and

the process has started. The teachers have been great and accomodating on

their own - reduced his reading requirement (couldn't read a book if it's got

chapters - gets too overwhelmed that he'll never be able to finish it) and cut

his last math test into sections to give him one at a time so he won't be

overwhelmed and " blank out " from worrying.

I told the counselor there needs to be some type of temporary plan in place

by the end of the day, or I don't know how I'm gonna get him to school

tomorrow, because he'll just be worried it'll happen again. Meanwhile, I am

just

heartbroken, fatigued, frustrated, angry, and alone. . I feel like I'm doing

everything i can do, and he's still just sufferring. Has anyone out there dealt

with these debilitating panic attacks at school and had any success with it?

I'd love to hear any ideas you might have!!

Thanks for listening. - in MI

**************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.

http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489

[Guest guest]

Hello. My 10 year old daughter has had a lot of anxiety related to

school. She actually missed the first 2 weeks of school, b/c we

couldn't get her to stay for the whole day at first, then the next

day she refused to get out of the car (crying, hyperventilating,

etc.). We upped her zoloft, met with her psychiatrist and therapist,

and slowly it got better. Transitions are very hard for her, and she

attends a very academically and socially intense private school, so

there is a lot of stress going on. Our saviour, though, was not her

personal therapist, but the school counselor. She stepped in and

allowed my daughter to come to her office whenever she felt like it,

and most importantly, at the beginning of the day. She met my

husband at the morning drop-off every day for weeks, gathered up my

daughter, and took her to her office, where they did some relaxation

exercises, and she kind of talked her thru the day. I think this was

helpful b/c for one thing, my daughter had someone there first thing,

so she couldn't try to back out of school with my husband. He would

just put her back in the car and bring her home. Also, I think it

was helpful that the therapist helped my daughter imagine her day,

and how it could go positively. She also gave her a " stress ball " to

squeeze in class when she felt panic. Ended up that all the class

wanted their own " stress balls " . She still has a lot of anxiety,

also involving tests, but is handling it better. It just took some

time. Today was her first day back after the holidays, and she was

nervous all weekend. She wouldn't even let us mention school or

going back or anything. But, this morning, she set her alarm clock

early, got her self up, and told us over breakfast that she had been

meditating and doing yoga in her room. I wanted to laugh, because

she is ten years old, and I don't know if she even knows what

meditating means, and she has never done yoga, but I could tell that

she was serious and this was her way of trying to get the courage to

face the school day. Anyway, hope some of this helps. Maybe try

giving your son a " safe place " such as the counselor's office, to go

to if he feels anxious or whatever. I think knowing that this was

just an option, was helpful to my daughter. She slowly tapered her

time there after a few weeks, but still checks in with the counselor

when needed. Good luck

On Jan 7, 2008, at 1:04 PM, RHelinski@... wrote:

> So off my ds (12 yrs old, OCD,GAD, depression) goes to school this

> a.m. after

> a 2 week break. He'd started having panic attacks at school 2 weeks

> before

> break. First time this has happened since kindergarten. Both

> attacks were test

> related. He took his last test right before break and did well. Had a

> reasonably good break - even saw flashes of the old " him " - moments

> of happiness!

> he spent most of the day yesterday worrying about going back to

> school, but

> seemed ok in the evening. A few tears this morning, but he even

> repeated his

> mantra " I am smart, I am capable, I can do this " severeral times

> OUT LOUD ( I

> almost fainted - he never does this). I was feeling proud and

> confident he was

> going to make this a new fresh start.

>

> Then 2 hours later the school is calling. He lost it in math class

> because

> he couldn't remember how to do all the stuff they had learned

> before break. He

> ended up curled up in a ball in the counselor's office bawling,

> barely able

> to breathe, feeling like he was dying. Calmed down after talking to

> his dad on

> the phone and walking with his counselor, and she was going to work on

> getting him back to class.

>

> I am at a loss as to what to do! His meds have been altered 4 times

> since

> Sept when he returned to school and got super depressed and

> anxious. He started

> the school year on 10 mg of Prozac. Now he's up to 20 mg plus .5 mg of

> Risperdal. He's seeing a therapist weekly, who is not using ERP,

> but is using CBT

> to " fight the bully " in his head. I really don't know where to go

> from here.

> I told the counselor I think he needs to have his expectations

> lowered at

> school until we can figure this all out. I have already requested a

> 504 plan, and

> the process has started. The teachers have been great and

> accomodating on

> their own - reduced his reading requirement (couldn't read a book

> if it's got

> chapters - gets too overwhelmed that he'll never be able to finish

> it) and cut

> his last math test into sections to give him one at a time so he

> won't be

> overwhelmed and " blank out " from worrying.

>

> I told the counselor there needs to be some type of temporary plan

> in place

> by the end of the day, or I don't know how I'm gonna get him to school

> tomorrow, because he'll just be worried it'll happen again.

> Meanwhile, I am just

> heartbroken, fatigued, frustrated, angry, and alone. . I feel like

> I'm doing

> everything i can do, and he's still just sufferring. Has anyone out

> there dealt

> with these debilitating panic attacks at school and had any success

> with it?

> I'd love to hear any ideas you might have!!

>

> Thanks for listening. - in MI

>

>

>

> **************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.

> http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489

>

>

[Guest guest]

My daughter who is now 17 started having panic attacks when taken to school her

freshman year. She was having so much trouble keeping up because everything had

to be " just right " and she wanted to maintain her #1 in her class ranking. We

considered taking her out of school and homeschooling her then but the doctor

put her on Lexapro (She was also depressed.) This is an ssri and antianxiety

medicine. She is still on it but it's a very low dose. We have wondered if we

need to change it because it doesn't seem to be helping with the ocd. The

Christmas of her sophomore year we finally decided to take her out and

homeschool her. I was seriously concerned she was going to have a nervous

breakdown if we left her in school.

RHelinski@... wrote: So off my ds (12 yrs old, OCD,GAD, depression)

goes to school this a.m. after

a 2 week break. He'd started having panic attacks at school 2 weeks before

break. First time this has happened since kindergarten. Both attacks were test

related. He took his last test right before break and did well. Had a

reasonably good break - even saw flashes of the old " him " - moments of

happiness!

he spent most of the day yesterday worrying about going back to school, but

seemed ok in the evening. A few tears this morning, but he even repeated his

mantra " I am smart, I am capable, I can do this " severeral times OUT LOUD ( I

almost fainted - he never does this). I was feeling proud and confident he was

going to make this a new fresh start.

Then 2 hours later the school is calling. He lost it in math class because

he couldn't remember how to do all the stuff they had learned before break. He

ended up curled up in a ball in the counselor's office bawling, barely able

to breathe, feeling like he was dying. Calmed down after talking to his dad on

the phone and walking with his counselor, and she was going to work on

getting him back to class.

I am at a loss as to what to do! His meds have been altered 4 times since

Sept when he returned to school and got super depressed and anxious. He started

the school year on 10 mg of Prozac. Now he's up to 20 mg plus .5 mg of

Risperdal. He's seeing a therapist weekly, who is not using ERP, but is using

CBT

to " fight the bully " in his head. I really don't know where to go from here.

I told the counselor I think he needs to have his expectations lowered at

school until we can figure this all out. I have already requested a 504 plan,

and

the process has started. The teachers have been great and accomodating on

their own - reduced his reading requirement (couldn't read a book if it's got

chapters - gets too overwhelmed that he'll never be able to finish it) and cut

his last math test into sections to give him one at a time so he won't be

overwhelmed and " blank out " from worrying.

I told the counselor there needs to be some type of temporary plan in place

by the end of the day, or I don't know how I'm gonna get him to school

tomorrow, because he'll just be worried it'll happen again. Meanwhile, I am just

heartbroken, fatigued, frustrated, angry, and alone. . I feel like I'm doing

everything i can do, and he's still just sufferring. Has anyone out there dealt

with these debilitating panic attacks at school and had any success with it?

I'd love to hear any ideas you might have!!

Thanks for listening. - in MI

**************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.

http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489

[Guest guest]

We had a terrible time with the school. I talked to the counselor repeatedly

and to the principal. They just basically said there was nothing they could do.

None of the teachers would cooperate with helping her and she is a really good

kid -- never causes any trouble, had the highest grades in her class, etc. One

of the principals ( woman, who obviously is not a mother) told me she was

going to put it in her permanent record that she called me from her cell phone

in the bathroom because she was having such a bad panic attack. They're not

supposed to use their cell phones at school. I explained to her about how upset

my daughter had been and we were even concerned about a nervous breakdown and

she just smiled and said " What's the matter? Is someone bullying her? " Not one

word of concern. We withdrew her and started homeschool two weeks later.

Quattlebaum <emq@...> wrote: Hello. My 10 year old

daughter has had a lot of anxiety related to

school. She actually missed the first 2 weeks of school, b/c we

couldn't get her to stay for the whole day at first, then the next

day she refused to get out of the car (crying, hyperventilating,

etc.). We upped her zoloft, met with her psychiatrist and therapist,

and slowly it got better. Transitions are very hard for her, and she

attends a very academically and socially intense private school, so

there is a lot of stress going on. Our saviour, though, was not her

personal therapist, but the school counselor. She stepped in and

allowed my daughter to come to her office whenever she felt like it,

and most importantly, at the beginning of the day. She met my

husband at the morning drop-off every day for weeks, gathered up my

daughter, and took her to her office, where they did some relaxation

exercises, and she kind of talked her thru the day. I think this was

helpful b/c for one thing, my daughter had someone there first thing,

so she couldn't try to back out of school with my husband. He would

just put her back in the car and bring her home. Also, I think it

was helpful that the therapist helped my daughter imagine her day,

and how it could go positively. She also gave her a " stress ball " to

squeeze in class when she felt panic. Ended up that all the class

wanted their own " stress balls " . She still has a lot of anxiety,

also involving tests, but is handling it better. It just took some

time. Today was her first day back after the holidays, and she was

nervous all weekend. She wouldn't even let us mention school or

going back or anything. But, this morning, she set her alarm clock

early, got her self up, and told us over breakfast that she had been

meditating and doing yoga in her room. I wanted to laugh, because

she is ten years old, and I don't know if she even knows what

meditating means, and she has never done yoga, but I could tell that

she was serious and this was her way of trying to get the courage to

face the school day. Anyway, hope some of this helps. Maybe try

giving your son a " safe place " such as the counselor's office, to go

to if he feels anxious or whatever. I think knowing that this was

just an option, was helpful to my daughter. She slowly tapered her

time there after a few weeks, but still checks in with the counselor

when needed. Good luck

On Jan 7, 2008, at 1:04 PM, RHelinski@... wrote:

> So off my ds (12 yrs old, OCD,GAD, depression) goes to school this

> a.m. after

> a 2 week break. He'd started having panic attacks at school 2 weeks

> before

> break. First time this has happened since kindergarten. Both

> attacks were test

> related. He took his last test right before break and did well. Had a

> reasonably good break - even saw flashes of the old " him " - moments

> of happiness!

> he spent most of the day yesterday worrying about going back to

> school, but

> seemed ok in the evening. A few tears this morning, but he even

> repeated his

> mantra " I am smart, I am capable, I can do this " severeral times

> OUT LOUD ( I

> almost fainted - he never does this). I was feeling proud and

> confident he was

> going to make this a new fresh start.

>

> Then 2 hours later the school is calling. He lost it in math class

> because

> he couldn't remember how to do all the stuff they had learned

> before break. He

> ended up curled up in a ball in the counselor's office bawling,

> barely able

> to breathe, feeling like he was dying. Calmed down after talking to

> his dad on

> the phone and walking with his counselor, and she was going to work on

> getting him back to class.

>

> I am at a loss as to what to do! His meds have been altered 4 times

> since

> Sept when he returned to school and got super depressed and

> anxious. He started

> the school year on 10 mg of Prozac. Now he's up to 20 mg plus .5 mg of

> Risperdal. He's seeing a therapist weekly, who is not using ERP,

> but is using CBT

> to " fight the bully " in his head. I really don't know where to go

> from here.

> I told the counselor I think he needs to have his expectations

> lowered at

> school until we can figure this all out. I have already requested a

> 504 plan, and

> the process has started. The teachers have been great and

> accomodating on

> their own - reduced his reading requirement (couldn't read a book

> if it's got

> chapters - gets too overwhelmed that he'll never be able to finish

> it) and cut

> his last math test into sections to give him one at a time so he

> won't be

> overwhelmed and " blank out " from worrying.

>

> I told the counselor there needs to be some type of temporary plan

> in place

> by the end of the day, or I don't know how I'm gonna get him to school

> tomorrow, because he'll just be worried it'll happen again.

> Meanwhile, I am just

> heartbroken, fatigued, frustrated, angry, and alone. . I feel like

> I'm doing

> everything i can do, and he's still just sufferring. Has anyone out

> there dealt

> with these debilitating panic attacks at school and had any success

> with it?

> I'd love to hear any ideas you might have!!

>

> Thanks for listening. - in MI

>

>

>

> **************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.

> http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489

>

>

[Guest guest]

, I agree with the safe place at school. My 13 year old has the support

of the teachers and counselors and can basically escape when needed. The

teachers all know and will let her go with just a nod of the head. Even if the

counselor is not in the office, she can hang out in the area to regroup. Yoga

and meditation are amazingly helpful to my child also. She picked them up in

the hospital when she was admitted for an eating disorder, which was more ocd

than an eating disorder. Anyway, it has saved her when the anxiety is just

starting and she can still make decisions on how to cope. I think all the

middle schools should offer yoga classes to prepare the kids for highschool and

beyond. I am going to try a stress ball for her to see if this will help when

she is not able to move about.

What part of the country are you in?? We are in colorado?

Carol

Re: Re: son having panic attacks at school

Hello. My 10 year old daughter has had a lot of anxiety related to

school. She actually missed the first 2 weeks of school, b/c we

couldn't get her to stay for the whole day at first, then the next

day she refused to get out of the car (crying, hyperventilating,

etc.). We upped her zoloft, met with her psychiatrist and therapist,

and slowly it got better. Transitions are very hard for her, and she

attends a very academically and socially intense private school, so

there is a lot of stress going on. Our saviour, though, was not her

personal therapist, but the school counselor. She stepped in and

allowed my daughter to come to her office whenever she felt like it,

and most importantly, at the beginning of the day. She met my

husband at the morning drop-off every day for weeks, gathered up my

daughter, and took her to her office, where they did some relaxation

exercises, and she kind of talked her thru the day. I think this was

helpful b/c for one thing, my daughter had someone there first thing,

so she couldn't try to back out of school with my husband. He would

just put her back in the car and bring her home. Also, I think it

was helpful that the therapist helped my daughter imagine her day,

and how it could go positively. She also gave her a " stress ball " to

squeeze in class when she felt panic. Ended up that all the class

wanted their own " stress balls " . She still has a lot of anxiety,

also involving tests, but is handling it better. It just took some

time. Today was her first day back after the holidays, and she was

nervous all weekend. She wouldn't even let us mention school or

going back or anything. But, this morning, she set her alarm clock

early, got her self up, and told us over breakfast that she had been

meditating and doing yoga in her room. I wanted to laugh, because

she is ten years old, and I don't know if she even knows what

meditating means, and she has never done yoga, but I could tell that

she was serious and this was her way of trying to get the courage to

face the school day. Anyway, hope some of this helps. Maybe try

giving your son a " safe place " such as the counselor's office, to go

to if he feels anxious or whatever. I think knowing that this was

just an option, was helpful to my daughter. She slowly tapered her

time there after a few weeks, but still checks in with the counselor

when needed. Good luck

On Jan 7, 2008, at 1:04 PM, RHelinski@...<mailto:RHelinski@...> wrote:

> So off my ds (12 yrs old, OCD,GAD, depression) goes to school this

> a.m. after

> a 2 week break. He'd started having panic attacks at school 2 weeks

> before

> break. First time this has happened since kindergarten. Both

> attacks were test

> related. He took his last test right before break and did well. Had a

> reasonably good break - even saw flashes of the old " him " - moments

> of happiness!

> he spent most of the day yesterday worrying about going back to

> school, but

> seemed ok in the evening. A few tears this morning, but he even

> repeated his

> mantra " I am smart, I am capable, I can do this " severeral times

> OUT LOUD ( I

> almost fainted - he never does this). I was feeling proud and

> confident he was

> going to make this a new fresh start.

>

> Then 2 hours later the school is calling. He lost it in math class

> because

> he couldn't remember how to do all the stuff they had learned

> before break. He

> ended up curled up in a ball in the counselor's office bawling,

> barely able

> to breathe, feeling like he was dying. Calmed down after talking to

> his dad on

> the phone and walking with his counselor, and she was going to work on

> getting him back to class.

>

> I am at a loss as to what to do! His meds have been altered 4 times

> since

> Sept when he returned to school and got super depressed and

> anxious. He started

> the school year on 10 mg of Prozac. Now he's up to 20 mg plus .5 mg of

> Risperdal. He's seeing a therapist weekly, who is not using ERP,

> but is using CBT

> to " fight the bully " in his head. I really don't know where to go

> from here.

> I told the counselor I think he needs to have his expectations

> lowered at

> school until we can figure this all out. I have already requested a

> 504 plan, and

> the process has started. The teachers have been great and

> accomodating on

> their own - reduced his reading requirement (couldn't read a book

> if it's got

> chapters - gets too overwhelmed that he'll never be able to finish

> it) and cut

> his last math test into sections to give him one at a time so he

> won't be

> overwhelmed and " blank out " from worrying.

>

> I told the counselor there needs to be some type of temporary plan

> in place

> by the end of the day, or I don't know how I'm gonna get him to school

> tomorrow, because he'll just be worried it'll happen again.

> Meanwhile, I am just

> heartbroken, fatigued, frustrated, angry, and alone. . I feel like

> I'm doing

> everything i can do, and he's still just sufferring. Has anyone out

> there dealt

> with these debilitating panic attacks at school and had any success

> with it?

> I'd love to hear any ideas you might have!!

>

> Thanks for listening. - in MI

>

>

>

> **************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.

>

http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489<http://bod\

y.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

You certainly are not alone, but I know it can feel that way.

My son, 12, OCD, GAD also experiences panic attacks. He takes PureCalm by

Native Remedies - 12 drops when he needs it. I have gone up to 20 drops during

extreme times of panic. I am not kidding that it calms him down and gets him

out of his episode within just a couple of minutes. He is a different kid. It

does have a bad smell and I'm sure doesn't taste the all time greatest, but mine

doesn't complain. You can take it as needed, up to 3x day but I have found once

the panic goes, he doesn't need it much at all (maybe 1x month now).

I had it overnighted to me at first because I was so desperate and it was an

answer to prayer in our situation. I don't mean to promise it would work as

well for you, because all children are different, but it may be worth trying. I

can just see the tension melt away with my son.

Kind Regards,

in TN

RHelinski@... wrote:

So off my ds (12 yrs old, OCD,GAD, depression) goes to school this

a.m. after

a 2 week break. He'd started having panic attacks at school 2 weeks before

break. First time this has happened since kindergarten. Both attacks were test

related. He took his last test right before break and did well. Had a

reasonably good break - even saw flashes of the old " him " - moments of

happiness!

he spent most of the day yesterday worrying about going back to school, but

seemed ok in the evening. A few tears this morning, but he even repeated his

mantra " I am smart, I am capable, I can do this " severeral times OUT LOUD ( I

almost fainted - he never does this). I was feeling proud and confident he was

going to make this a new fresh start.

Then 2 hours later the school is calling. He lost it in math class because

he couldn't remember how to do all the stuff they had learned before break. He

ended up curled up in a ball in the counselor's office bawling, barely able

to breathe, feeling like he was dying. Calmed down after talking to his dad on

the phone and walking with his counselor, and she was going to work on

getting him back to class.

I am at a loss as to what to do! His meds have been altered 4 times since

Sept when he returned to school and got super depressed and anxious. He started

the school year on 10 mg of Prozac. Now he's up to 20 mg plus .5 mg of

Risperdal. He's seeing a therapist weekly, who is not using ERP, but is using

CBT

to " fight the bully " in his head. I really don't know where to go from here.

I told the counselor I think he needs to have his expectations lowered at

school until we can figure this all out. I have already requested a 504 plan,

and

the process has started. The teachers have been great and accomodating on

their own - reduced his reading requirement (couldn't read a book if it's got

chapters - gets too overwhelmed that he'll never be able to finish it) and cut

his last math test into sections to give him one at a time so he won't be

overwhelmed and " blank out " from worrying.

I told the counselor there needs to be some type of temporary plan in place

by the end of the day, or I don't know how I'm gonna get him to school

tomorrow, because he'll just be worried it'll happen again. Meanwhile, I am just

heartbroken, fatigued, frustrated, angry, and alone. . I feel like I'm doing

everything i can do, and he's still just sufferring. Has anyone out there dealt

with these debilitating panic attacks at school and had any success with it?

I'd love to hear any ideas you might have!!

Thanks for listening. - in MI

**************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.

http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489

[Guest guest]

-

You are not alone. My heart goes out to you and especially your son. My 13

year old son's ocd spiraled out of control in school right after Thanksgiving.

At that time, he was seeing a therapist once a week and was on 10 mg of Prozac.

My psych suggested keeping him home for the month of December. We did this and

the school provided tutors who came to the house to help him with school work.

The psych raised his prozac to 40 mg (over a 2 week period) and added 5 mg

Zyprexa to his meds. In addition, we enrolled him in an outpatient intensive

therapy program (ERP) for OCD. He attended every day for 90 minutes a day (and

still does).

It did help him get through a rough time. While we are no where near out of

the woods yet (he had a setback today, as a matter of fact), you may want to run

this by your therapist. We are now trying to assimilate him back into the

classroom starting at 3 days a week. Maybe you can speak to your school about

this.

good luck and you're in my prayers.

angela

RHelinski@... wrote:

So off my ds (12 yrs old, OCD,GAD, depression) goes to school this

a.m. after

a 2 week break. He'd started having panic attacks at school 2 weeks before

break. First time this has happened since kindergarten. Both attacks were test

related. He took his last test right before break and did well. Had a

reasonably good break - even saw flashes of the old " him " - moments of

happiness!

he spent most of the day yesterday worrying about going back to school, but

seemed ok in the evening. A few tears this morning, but he even repeated his

mantra " I am smart, I am capable, I can do this " severeral times OUT LOUD ( I

almost fainted - he never does this). I was feeling proud and confident he was

going to make this a new fresh start.

Then 2 hours later the school is calling. He lost it in math class because

he couldn't remember how to do all the stuff they had learned before break. He

ended up curled up in a ball in the counselor's office bawling, barely able

to breathe, feeling like he was dying. Calmed down after talking to his dad on

the phone and walking with his counselor, and she was going to work on

getting him back to class.

I am at a loss as to what to do! His meds have been altered 4 times since

Sept when he returned to school and got super depressed and anxious. He started

the school year on 10 mg of Prozac. Now he's up to 20 mg plus .5 mg of

Risperdal. He's seeing a therapist weekly, who is not using ERP, but is using

CBT

to " fight the bully " in his head. I really don't know where to go from here.

I told the counselor I think he needs to have his expectations lowered at

school until we can figure this all out. I have already requested a 504 plan,

and

the process has started. The teachers have been great and accomodating on

their own - reduced his reading requirement (couldn't read a book if it's got

chapters - gets too overwhelmed that he'll never be able to finish it) and cut

his last math test into sections to give him one at a time so he won't be

overwhelmed and " blank out " from worrying.

I told the counselor there needs to be some type of temporary plan in place

by the end of the day, or I don't know how I'm gonna get him to school

tomorrow, because he'll just be worried it'll happen again. Meanwhile, I am just

heartbroken, fatigued, frustrated, angry, and alone. . I feel like I'm doing

everything i can do, and he's still just sufferring. Has anyone out there dealt

with these debilitating panic attacks at school and had any success with it?

I'd love to hear any ideas you might have!!

Thanks for listening. - in MI

**************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.

http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489

[Guest guest]

This sounds almost identical to what we were experiencing with my son

(10, 5th grade) when school started up this year (I sincerely

sympathize...)

Despite all-out efforts to get him to school he ended up being home,

as he was getting suicidally depressed trying to cope. And despite

plans to get him back, we ended up lining up 504/homebound tutoring.

Homebound is not very effective, imo. Most of the work needs to done

by me (he cannot write, or even read very well, as in maintaining

concentration-quite a change from just a year ago) and I am having

much stress keeping him caught up ( so having work finished for his

tutor, who also works with him, but bulk is done by me) due to the

backlog of work he missed, plus my own time constraints.

Plus the work load appropriate for 6 hours in the classroom just does

not translate to home all that well. I'm about to give up, in fact,

and just switch to homeschooling so we can do it our way, as it would

make more sense if that is what I am doing anyways. (However, my dh

objects).

If he were not going to be in middle school next year, which I don't

think would be a good environment, I might try harder getting him

back to school, but I am not sure about what to do for next year

(charter school? independent study? homeschool?) b/c if he could not

cope with his little elementary school despite accomodations offered

and understanding personnel, how will he cope with several teachers

classrooms heavier work load etc. I am trying to have practical

expectations w/out enabling the ocd.

He is on remeron (only med he could take that did not

become " contaminated " ; b/c in foil bubbles) so maybe it will help

him to try some ERP which he has not been willing to try yet.

As for school, I myself cannot cope with the daily stress of trying

to force such an issue, maybe if I had only one child, (or only one

ocd child) or was in perfect health myself- but you end up adapting

to needs of the whole family, and forcing someone to school daily and

dealing with the chronic fallout may not be helpful, even if

a " getting right back on the horse " could seem like most the

progressive approach. I guess much depends on the individual child

and circumstances...

nancy grace

In , RHelinski@... wrote:

>

> So off my ds (12 yrs old, OCD,GAD, depression) goes to school this

a.m. after

> a 2 week break. He'd started having panic attacks at school 2

weeks before

> break. First time this has happened since kindergarten. Both

attacks were test

> related. He took his last test right before break and did well.

Had a

> reasonably good break - even saw flashes of the old " him " - moments

of happiness!

> he spent most of the day yesterday worrying about going back to

school, but

> seemed ok in the evening. A few tears this morning, but he even

repeated his

> mantra " I am smart, I am capable, I can do this " severeral times

OUT LOUD ( I

> almost fainted - he never does this). I was feeling proud and

confident he was

> going to make this a new fresh start.

>

> Then 2 hours later the school is calling. He lost it in math class

because

> he couldn't remember how to do all the stuff they had learned

before break. He

> ended up curled up in a ball in the counselor's office bawling,

barely able

> to breathe, feeling like he was dying. Calmed down after talking

to his dad on

> the phone and walking with his counselor, and she was going to work

on

> getting him back to class.

>

> I am at a loss as to what to do! His meds have been altered 4

times since

> Sept when he returned to school and got super depressed and

anxious. He started

> the school year on 10 mg of Prozac. Now he's up to 20 mg plus .5 mg

of

> Risperdal. He's seeing a therapist weekly, who is not using ERP,

but is using CBT

> to " fight the bully " in his head. I really don't know where to go

from here.

> I told the counselor I think he needs to have his expectations

lowered at

> school until we can figure this all out. I have already requested

a 504 plan, and

> the process has started. The teachers have been great and

accomodating on

> their own - reduced his reading requirement (couldn't read a book

if it's got

> chapters - gets too overwhelmed that he'll never be able to finish

it) and cut

> his last math test into sections to give him one at a time so he

won't be

> overwhelmed and " blank out " from worrying.

>

> I told the counselor there needs to be some type of temporary plan

in place

> by the end of the day, or I don't know how I'm gonna get him to

school

> tomorrow, because he'll just be worried it'll happen again.

Meanwhile, I am just

> heartbroken, fatigued, frustrated, angry, and alone. . I feel like

I'm doing

> everything i can do, and he's still just sufferring. Has anyone

out there dealt

> with these debilitating panic attacks at school and had any success

with it?

> I'd love to hear any ideas you might have!!

>

> Thanks for listening. - in MI

>

>

>

>

>

> **************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in

shape.

> http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?

NCID=aolcmp00300000002489

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

We live in ton, SC.

On Jan 7, 2008, at 1:51 PM, carol wrote:

> What part of the country are you in?? We are in colorado?

> Carol

> Re: Re: son having panic attacks at school

>

>> .

>

>

[Guest guest]

We live in ton, SC.

On Jan 7, 2008, at 1:51 PM, carol wrote:

> What part of the country are you in?? We are in colorado?

> Carol

> Re: Re: son having panic attacks at school

>

>> .

>

>

[Guest guest]

What a nice, understanding school. I've dealt with a school like that

too. That is also when we started homeschooling. Some schools are

clueless and seem to prefer it that way. Your daughter is better off

without them.

My two cents worth.

BJ

>

> > So off my ds (12 yrs old, OCD,GAD, depression) goes to school this

> > a.m. after

> > a 2 week break. He'd started having panic attacks at school 2 weeks

> > before

> > break. First time this has happened since kindergarten. Both

> > attacks were test

> > related. He took his last test right before break and did well. Had a

> > reasonably good break - even saw flashes of the old " him " - moments

> > of happiness!

> > he spent most of the day yesterday worrying about going back to

> > school, but

> > seemed ok in the evening. A few tears this morning, but he even

> > repeated his

> > mantra " I am smart, I am capable, I can do this " severeral times

> > OUT LOUD ( I

> > almost fainted - he never does this). I was feeling proud and

> > confident he was

> > going to make this a new fresh start.

> >

> > Then 2 hours later the school is calling. He lost it in math class

> > because

> > he couldn't remember how to do all the stuff they had learned

> > before break. He

> > ended up curled up in a ball in the counselor's office bawling,

> > barely able

> > to breathe, feeling like he was dying. Calmed down after talking to

> > his dad on

> > the phone and walking with his counselor, and she was going to work on

> > getting him back to class.

> >

> > I am at a loss as to what to do! His meds have been altered 4 times

> > since

> > Sept when he returned to school and got super depressed and

> > anxious. He started

> > the school year on 10 mg of Prozac. Now he's up to 20 mg plus .5 mg of

> > Risperdal. He's seeing a therapist weekly, who is not using ERP,

> > but is using CBT

> > to " fight the bully " in his head. I really don't know where to go

> > from here.

> > I told the counselor I think he needs to have his expectations

> > lowered at

> > school until we can figure this all out. I have already requested a

> > 504 plan, and

> > the process has started. The teachers have been great and

> > accomodating on

> > their own - reduced his reading requirement (couldn't read a book

> > if it's got

> > chapters - gets too overwhelmed that he'll never be able to finish

> > it) and cut

> > his last math test into sections to give him one at a time so he

> > won't be

> > overwhelmed and " blank out " from worrying.

> >

> > I told the counselor there needs to be some type of temporary plan

> > in place

> > by the end of the day, or I don't know how I'm gonna get him to school

> > tomorrow, because he'll just be worried it'll happen again.

> > Meanwhile, I am just

> > heartbroken, fatigued, frustrated, angry, and alone. . I feel like

> > I'm doing

> > everything i can do, and he's still just sufferring. Has anyone out

> > there dealt

> > with these debilitating panic attacks at school and had any success

> > with it?

> > I'd love to hear any ideas you might have!!

> >

> > Thanks for listening. - in MI

> >

> >

> >

> > **************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.

> > http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Wow, . My heart is breaking for your son. And for you because

I know how helpless it makes you feel to see your child going through

that and not be able to make it stop. Our son had a few panic attacks

when he had his OCD relapse last January. Fortunately, I had

experienced them myself and was able to keep him focused and

breathing, while I reassured him it would be okay. . .AND that it

would pass.

I started having panic attacks after taking Imitrex (years ago now),

which caused me to have a stroke and also caused heart damage. On top

of all else I was dealing with, at that time, I started having panic

attacks, but didn't know what they were. Neither did any of the

doctors I went to. Eventually, I figured it out, by reading, and I

sought treatment. But, for a while, all that would help was

medication (benzodiazapines), which can be very addictive. It can be

horrible to experience panic attacks, especially if you don't know

what is happening, and if you can't find a way to get them under

control, you can start to have panic attacks worrying about the next

one that's coming. As I weaned off of meds, I started doing deep,

diaphramatic breathing exercises, that helped a lot. I would

immediately start breathing at the first sign of one happening, and I

was able to head it off, but it was work. Eventually, I gained

control over them and was able to live medication free. I hope and

pray that for your son.

I hope you find something that helps soon.

Take care,

BJ

>

> So off my ds (12 yrs old, OCD,GAD, depression) goes to school this

a.m. after

> a 2 week break. He'd started having panic attacks at school 2 weeks

before

> break. First time this has happened since kindergarten. Both

attacks were test

> related. He took his last test right before break and did well. Had a

> reasonably good break - even saw flashes of the old " him " - moments

of happiness!

> he spent most of the day yesterday worrying about going back to

school, but

> seemed ok in the evening. A few tears this morning, but he even

repeated his

> mantra " I am smart, I am capable, I can do this " severeral times

OUT LOUD ( I

> almost fainted - he never does this). I was feeling proud and

confident he was

> going to make this a new fresh start.

>

> Then 2 hours later the school is calling. He lost it in math class

because

> he couldn't remember how to do all the stuff they had learned before

break. He

> ended up curled up in a ball in the counselor's office bawling,

barely able

> to breathe, feeling like he was dying. Calmed down after talking to

his dad on

> the phone and walking with his counselor, and she was going to work on

> getting him back to class.

>

> I am at a loss as to what to do! His meds have been altered 4 times

since

> Sept when he returned to school and got super depressed and anxious.

He started

> the school year on 10 mg of Prozac. Now he's up to 20 mg plus .5 mg of

> Risperdal. He's seeing a therapist weekly, who is not using ERP,

but is using CBT

> to " fight the bully " in his head. I really don't know where to go

from here.

> I told the counselor I think he needs to have his expectations

lowered at

> school until we can figure this all out. I have already requested a

504 plan, and

> the process has started. The teachers have been great and

accomodating on

> their own - reduced his reading requirement (couldn't read a book if

it's got

> chapters - gets too overwhelmed that he'll never be able to finish

it) and cut

> his last math test into sections to give him one at a time so he

won't be

> overwhelmed and " blank out " from worrying.

>

> I told the counselor there needs to be some type of temporary plan

in place

> by the end of the day, or I don't know how I'm gonna get him to school

> tomorrow, because he'll just be worried it'll happen again.

Meanwhile, I am just

> heartbroken, fatigued, frustrated, angry, and alone. . I feel like

I'm doing

> everything i can do, and he's still just sufferring. Has anyone out

there dealt

> with these debilitating panic attacks at school and had any success

with it?

> I'd love to hear any ideas you might have!!

>

> Thanks for listening. - in MI

>

>

>

>

>

> **************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.

> http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I totally agree that she is better off without them. Thanks for the support.

Homeschooling has really been rocky because of her rereading and writing

difficulties. She had a 5.1+ GPA when we pulled her out of school and now I

think it was a miracle that she was able to pull that off -- but it nearly

killed all of us trying to help her.

svdbyhislove <BJClosner@...> wrote: What a nice, understanding

school. I've dealt with a school like that

too. That is also when we started homeschooling. Some schools are

clueless and seem to prefer it that way. Your daughter is better off

without them.

My two cents worth.

BJ

>

> > So off my ds (12 yrs old, OCD,GAD, depression) goes to school this

> > a.m. after

> > a 2 week break. He'd started having panic attacks at school 2 weeks

> > before

> > break. First time this has happened since kindergarten. Both

> > attacks were test

> > related. He took his last test right before break and did well. Had a

> > reasonably good break - even saw flashes of the old " him " - moments

> > of happiness!

> > he spent most of the day yesterday worrying about going back to

> > school, but

> > seemed ok in the evening. A few tears this morning, but he even

> > repeated his

> > mantra " I am smart, I am capable, I can do this " severeral times

> > OUT LOUD ( I

> > almost fainted - he never does this). I was feeling proud and

> > confident he was

> > going to make this a new fresh start.

> >

> > Then 2 hours later the school is calling. He lost it in math class

> > because

> > he couldn't remember how to do all the stuff they had learned

> > before break. He

> > ended up curled up in a ball in the counselor's office bawling,

> > barely able

> > to breathe, feeling like he was dying. Calmed down after talking to

> > his dad on

> > the phone and walking with his counselor, and she was going to work on

> > getting him back to class.

> >

> > I am at a loss as to what to do! His meds have been altered 4 times

> > since

> > Sept when he returned to school and got super depressed and

> > anxious. He started

> > the school year on 10 mg of Prozac. Now he's up to 20 mg plus .5 mg of

> > Risperdal. He's seeing a therapist weekly, who is not using ERP,

> > but is using CBT

> > to " fight the bully " in his head. I really don't know where to go

> > from here.

> > I told the counselor I think he needs to have his expectations

> > lowered at

> > school until we can figure this all out. I have already requested a

> > 504 plan, and

> > the process has started. The teachers have been great and

> > accomodating on

> > their own - reduced his reading requirement (couldn't read a book

> > if it's got

> > chapters - gets too overwhelmed that he'll never be able to finish

> > it) and cut

> > his last math test into sections to give him one at a time so he

> > won't be

> > overwhelmed and " blank out " from worrying.

> >

> > I told the counselor there needs to be some type of temporary plan

> > in place

> > by the end of the day, or I don't know how I'm gonna get him to school

> > tomorrow, because he'll just be worried it'll happen again.

> > Meanwhile, I am just

> > heartbroken, fatigued, frustrated, angry, and alone. . I feel like

> > I'm doing

> > everything i can do, and he's still just sufferring. Has anyone out

> > there dealt

> > with these debilitating panic attacks at school and had any success

> > with it?

> > I'd love to hear any ideas you might have!!

> >

> > Thanks for listening. - in MI

> >

> >

> >

> > **************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.

> > http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi, . How old is your daughter? Our son is 15. We've been

homeschooling since he was in second grade, due to a stinky school

situation and his OCD (we didn't know that was what is was at the time

though). He has also had trouble with rereading. He felt he needed

to more of less diagram the sentence in his head while he was reading.

Talk about exhausting. lol Poor kid. When he went back on meds

that ritual stopped. We've gone through the same thing was

suggesting too. I've read to him at times to keep him caught up.

Someone in here has a great exposure for reading. I think they said

to take a piece of paper and read one line at a time, then cover it up

after reading it, from the top down. I hope that made sense and I

hope I'm remembering that right.

Our son has also had trouble with writing. It all had to be perfect.

His psychologist had him do an exposure exercise where for 5 minutes

a day he had to purposely write things wrong. . .ie, he had to write

capitals in the wrong place or in the middle of words, etc. It didn't

matter what he wrote. . Just letters or words as they came to his head

even. It helped him. You might try that with her, but start out slow

and add time. Eventually, if she benefits from ERP (exposure and

response prevention) she will hopefully start to feel the " need " to

have it be perfect less.

We've all felt alone at times, I imagine. You are not alone, dear.

(((you))) You've found a great place to share and find those who

truly understand. Welcome.

Finding someone qualified to treat OCD in kids, who use CBT

(specifically for OCD) and ERP, can be difficult, but a great help.

We searched for months and we drive quite a distance, but it's worth

it.

BJ

-- In , Pailes <swordovfire@...>

wrote:

>

> I totally agree that she is better off without them. Thanks for the

support. Homeschooling has really been rocky because of her rereading

and writing difficulties. She had a 5.1+ GPA when we pulled her out

of school and now I think it was a miracle that she was able to pull

that off -- but it nearly killed all of us trying to help her.

>

> svdbyhislove <BJClosner@...> wrote: What a nice,

understanding school. I've dealt with a school like that

> too. That is also when we started homeschooling. Some schools are

> clueless and seem to prefer it that way. Your daughter is better off

> without them.

>

> My two cents worth.

>

> BJ

>

>

> >

> > > So off my ds (12 yrs old, OCD,GAD, depression) goes to school this

> > > a.m. after

> > > a 2 week break. He'd started having panic attacks at school 2 weeks

> > > before

> > > break. First time this has happened since kindergarten. Both

> > > attacks were test

> > > related. He took his last test right before break and did well.

Had a

> > > reasonably good break - even saw flashes of the old " him " - moments

> > > of happiness!

> > > he spent most of the day yesterday worrying about going back to

> > > school, but

> > > seemed ok in the evening. A few tears this morning, but he even

> > > repeated his

> > > mantra " I am smart, I am capable, I can do this " severeral times

> > > OUT LOUD ( I

> > > almost fainted - he never does this). I was feeling proud and

> > > confident he was

> > > going to make this a new fresh start.

> > >

> > > Then 2 hours later the school is calling. He lost it in math class

> > > because

> > > he couldn't remember how to do all the stuff they had learned

> > > before break. He

> > > ended up curled up in a ball in the counselor's office bawling,

> > > barely able

> > > to breathe, feeling like he was dying. Calmed down after talking to

> > > his dad on

> > > the phone and walking with his counselor, and she was going to

work on

> > > getting him back to class.

> > >

> > > I am at a loss as to what to do! His meds have been altered 4 times

> > > since

> > > Sept when he returned to school and got super depressed and

> > > anxious. He started

> > > the school year on 10 mg of Prozac. Now he's up to 20 mg plus .5

mg of

> > > Risperdal. He's seeing a therapist weekly, who is not using ERP,

> > > but is using CBT

> > > to " fight the bully " in his head. I really don't know where to go

> > > from here.

> > > I told the counselor I think he needs to have his expectations

> > > lowered at

> > > school until we can figure this all out. I have already requested a

> > > 504 plan, and

> > > the process has started. The teachers have been great and

> > > accomodating on

> > > their own - reduced his reading requirement (couldn't read a book

> > > if it's got

> > > chapters - gets too overwhelmed that he'll never be able to finish

> > > it) and cut

> > > his last math test into sections to give him one at a time so he

> > > won't be

> > > overwhelmed and " blank out " from worrying.

> > >

> > > I told the counselor there needs to be some type of temporary plan

> > > in place

> > > by the end of the day, or I don't know how I'm gonna get him to

school

> > > tomorrow, because he'll just be worried it'll happen again.

> > > Meanwhile, I am just

> > > heartbroken, fatigued, frustrated, angry, and alone. . I feel like

> > > I'm doing

> > > everything i can do, and he's still just sufferring. Has anyone out

> > > there dealt

> > > with these debilitating panic attacks at school and had any success

> > > with it?

> > > I'd love to hear any ideas you might have!!

> > >

> > > Thanks for listening. - in MI

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > **************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.

> > >

http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

BJ:

DD is 16, 17 in 2 weeks. Before we knew what was going on (when she was still

in public school) I used to read books to her (reading assignments like Jane

Eyre and A Separate Peace) because she was so slow she would never have finished

in time if I hadn't. I would get so frustrated with her because I didn't know

about the rereading. I just thought she wouldn't do it when I told her to and

kept putting it off. We'd be up all night every time there was a writing

assignment due. It wasn't until we started homeschooling that I began to figure

out that she had a problem with rereading. I thought at first that it was ADD

as she just described it then as not remembering what she had read. Doctor put

her on Focalin for that and it helped some but it was because it helped the

narcolepsy, not add. She started refusing to take it because she said it made

her feel depressed and sad. After several months without it I had a melt down

and said she HAD to take it because she

couldn't stay awake. It took weeks to get her into our doctor but she has now

changed that to Vyvanse (a form of adderall) and that is helping the narcolepsy

immensely so at least I'm only fighting one thing at a time.

svdbyhislove <BJClosner@...> wrote:

Hi, . How old is your daughter? Our son is 15. We've been

homeschooling since he was in second grade, due to a stinky school

situation and his OCD (we didn't know that was what is was at the time

though). He has also had trouble with rereading. He felt he needed

to more of less diagram the sentence in his head while he was reading.

Talk about exhausting. lol Poor kid. When he went back on meds

that ritual stopped. We've gone through the same thing was

suggesting too. I've read to him at times to keep him caught up.

Someone in here has a great exposure for reading. I think they said

to take a piece of paper and read one line at a time, then cover it up

after reading it, from the top down. I hope that made sense and I

hope I'm remembering that right.

Our son has also had trouble with writing. It all had to be perfect.

His psychologist had him do an exposure exercise where for 5 minutes

a day he had to purposely write things wrong. . .ie, he had to write

capitals in the wrong place or in the middle of words, etc. It didn't

matter what he wrote. . Just letters or words as they came to his head

even. It helped him. You might try that with her, but start out slow

and add time. Eventually, if she benefits from ERP (exposure and

response prevention) she will hopefully start to feel the " need " to

have it be perfect less.

We've all felt alone at times, I imagine. You are not alone, dear.

(((you))) You've found a great place to share and find those who

truly understand. Welcome.

Finding someone qualified to treat OCD in kids, who use CBT

(specifically for OCD) and ERP, can be difficult, but a great help.

We searched for months and we drive quite a distance, but it's worth

it.

BJ

-- In , Pailes <swordovfire@...>

wrote:

>

> I totally agree that she is better off without them. Thanks for the

support. Homeschooling has really been rocky because of her rereading

and writing difficulties. She had a 5.1+ GPA when we pulled her out

of school and now I think it was a miracle that she was able to pull

that off -- but it nearly killed all of us trying to help her.

>

> svdbyhislove <BJClosner@...> wrote: What a nice,

understanding school. I've dealt with a school like that

> too. That is also when we started homeschooling. Some schools are

> clueless and seem to prefer it that way. Your daughter is better off

> without them.

>

> My two cents worth.

>

> BJ

>

>

> >

> > > So off my ds (12 yrs old, OCD,GAD, depression) goes to school this

> > > a.m. after

> > > a 2 week break. He'd started having panic attacks at school 2 weeks

> > > before

> > > break. First time this has happened since kindergarten. Both

> > > attacks were test

> > > related. He took his last test right before break and did well.

Had a

> > > reasonably good break - even saw flashes of the old " him " - moments

> > > of happiness!

> > > he spent most of the day yesterday worrying about going back to

> > > school, but

> > > seemed ok in the evening. A few tears this morning, but he even

> > > repeated his

> > > mantra " I am smart, I am capable, I can do this " severeral times

> > > OUT LOUD ( I

> > > almost fainted - he never does this). I was feeling proud and

> > > confident he was

> > > going to make this a new fresh start.

> > >

> > > Then 2 hours later the school is calling. He lost it in math class

> > > because

> > > he couldn't remember how to do all the stuff they had learned

> > > before break. He

> > > ended up curled up in a ball in the counselor's office bawling,

> > > barely able

> > > to breathe, feeling like he was dying. Calmed down after talking to

> > > his dad on

> > > the phone and walking with his counselor, and she was going to

work on

> > > getting him back to class.

> > >

> > > I am at a loss as to what to do! His meds have been altered 4 times

> > > since

> > > Sept when he returned to school and got super depressed and

> > > anxious. He started

> > > the school year on 10 mg of Prozac. Now he's up to 20 mg plus .5

mg of

> > > Risperdal. He's seeing a therapist weekly, who is not using ERP,

> > > but is using CBT

> > > to " fight the bully " in his head. I really don't know where to go

> > > from here.

> > > I told the counselor I think he needs to have his expectations

> > > lowered at

> > > school until we can figure this all out. I have already requested a

> > > 504 plan, and

> > > the process has started. The teachers have been great and

> > > accomodating on

> > > their own - reduced his reading requirement (couldn't read a book

> > > if it's got

> > > chapters - gets too overwhelmed that he'll never be able to finish

> > > it) and cut

> > > his last math test into sections to give him one at a time so he

> > > won't be

> > > overwhelmed and " blank out " from worrying.

> > >

> > > I told the counselor there needs to be some type of temporary plan

> > > in place

> > > by the end of the day, or I don't know how I'm gonna get him to

school

> > > tomorrow, because he'll just be worried it'll happen again.

> > > Meanwhile, I am just

> > > heartbroken, fatigued, frustrated, angry, and alone. . I feel like

> > > I'm doing

> > > everything i can do, and he's still just sufferring. Has anyone out

> > > there dealt

> > > with these debilitating panic attacks at school and had any success

> > > with it?

> > > I'd love to hear any ideas you might have!!

> > >

> > > Thanks for listening. - in MI

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > **************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.

> > >

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> > >

> > >