Re: school anxiety

[Guest guest]

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I'm just logging on to this site, trying to catch up on all the emails.  Upon

reading your email, my heart is breaking.  You seem so down - we have all been

there you know. 

 

My son, who is now 14 and a freshman in high school, had a terrible 8th grade. 

His ocd was completely out of control, and he was in and out of school

throughout the year, with many of the same symptoms you mention below that your

son is experiencing.

 

At its worst, my son did go to an in-patient facility for 10 days which were the

worst days of our lives. But we all did survive.

 

My son had a good summer, no stress, etc.  But for a good 9 months prior to

that, he had intensive Exposure Ritual Prevention Therapy (5 days a week at one

point) that literally broke the bank.  But it worked.  He is also on

medication.  In addition to the erp therapists, he was seeing a psychiatrist for

medication and a psychologist for general anxiety that he was experiencing.  We

lucked out - they were all great, and worked together (prior to this, he was

seeing a therapist for 6 months - waste of time!).  We were also able to get my

son an IEP at school.  His high school guidance counselor is great, and his

resource room teacher is fabulous so far - she checks to make sure he is taking

notes, writing down his homework, etc.

 

Just want to tell you my story so that you know there is hope - it may not

always be as bad as it is now.  While realistically I know that ocd waxes and

wanes, during the times that your child is not struggling, it is such a comfort

for the family.

 

Please hang in there and know that you can always vent on this site.      

 

lots of hugs to you and him,

angela

p.s. Do you have any alternative schools in your area?  I know in my area (long

island, ny) there is an alternative school where the teaching environment is

very relaxed, kids have class in small intimate settings with teachers, etc.  If

available, that may be another option.

   

Subject: school anxiety

To:

Date: Tuesday, September 9, 2008, 11:22 AM

I haven't posted in a long time. My 15 yr. old son has ocd. After

several years of trying medication he finally found meds to control

his compulsions but he still has severe anxiety, particularly over

school. He's tried several meds for anxiety and nothing works, they

just make him worse. This year (grade 10), we finally decided to cut

back his days to 3 classes a day. One of which is at the school and

2 at home. He can't tolerate working for more than about 20min.

which gets kind of frustrating for me. Now he's going into major

anxiety attacks over going to school for even 1 class. I just barely

got him there today. I won't be suprised if he can't stay. He's

gone through cbt. I don't know what else I can do for him. He feels

like he can't stand the struggle anymore and I'm starting to feel the

same. We've been struggling for so long. I don't want to give up

but right now it seems so hopless. Knowone seems to be able to

help. Family and friends just don't seem to understand. Other

people don't see his problems. I think they're tired of hearing

about it so I try not to say anything anymore. I don't know how I'll

get him through school. Even if he does get through school, I'm not

sure he'll ever be able to work. I just needed somewhere to vent.

Thank-you.