Help for my daughter please

  My daughter is almost 13 and had an accident on the trampoline a couple weeks ago. She lost her breath and then suffered her first full panic attack. She stated that she had been having anxiety and fear of death for several years prior and never told me. I had experienced this through her Mom (my ex-wife) and it was very hard on our lives. I did not understand it with my ex and would become frustrated that she could not control her emotions. I have been very supportive with my daughter and took her to our family doctor (no help!) and then to a therapist who talked to her for 30 minutes, charged me $150 and gave us a note to take to our family doctor recommending prozac. The therapist wanted to see her for ongoing appointments but the fact that he had to look up the symptoms of panic attack to diagnose her did not bring me any comfort. It has been two weeks and she is still suffering from anxiety and fear of death. She is functional at this point but I am affraid that she will become dependant on prozac forever if she doesn't learn some coping skills or pursue a homeopathic remedy coupled with .....I don't know.... yoga, breathing excercises????? Any info would be appreciated. Chris

 I have alot of guilt feelings about her witholding her problems for so long until her major attack. I had made comments to her about her "crazy mother" in a joking sense many times before. Now I feel terrible that I trivialized her anxiety and made my daughter feel "crazy" too. My daughter lives with me and my wife (her step-mom) and she has a very stable environment. I would have never expected her to have the same problems through a biological connection.

 Your daughter sounds quite a bit like mine. She is always on honor roll and is in the AG classes at her school. She is small for her age and is self conscious about that. She is very artistic and loves to design her own clothes and has just started making specialty soaps and selling them at school. She is probably the kindest heart I have ever known and I worry about others being mean to her sometimes. Luckily she doesn't have much of a problem with this yet! I am sure she would love to write to someone who understands! I will tell her about this site when I get home from work today.

 I will forward your daughter's email to my daughter. This way your daughter's email isn't posted here. Brenna will be thrilled!

**Chris...in your profile put your email and it will show in the envelope at the side this is for your protection and security( go back to control panel and hit edit profile/ put email in there....

PPL that are not members can get your email when you post it the way you did

if its in the envelope ONLY members can get it

Cait is laying down right now but I spoke with her and she is more than happy to speak to your daughter

I think in my heart alot of good may come of this

My email is in envelope at side under name  

I will check in the am as I am going to get a few more threads done and then make supper

Take care my friend..say hello to your family for us

Glad you are part of HW and this family

LYN

Post Edited By Moderator (Howlyncat) : 4/21/2008 2:39:15 PM (GMT-6)

Thanks Lyn, I called Brenna and she is very excited to write to someone who understands what she is feeling. I changed the mail setting on my account. I didn't know this had to be done when I signed up. Thanks again, Chris

Hello Chris,

This is Kitt and welcome to our wonderful family.  I think you got some great help from Lyn and you will soon find she is our resident angel and very knowledgable about teens these days.

I would like to see your daughter find a therapist that she can develop a trust relationship with and one that has some experience with working with teens.

The one you went to would not instill confidence in me either if he had to use reference materials to look up dx.

I am glad you have come here for caring and support.
Keep posting.

BLess you
Kitt

Dear Chris,

I kind of hang out here.................I have a daughter with anxiety too but she is not a teen.  I am the Grandmotherand yes and even great Grandmother  on our A & P site so I have seen a lot of people with anxiety and I know that your daughter will make it through.          

God moves in mysterious way His wonders to perform; He plants his footsteps on the sea and rides upon the storm.
                                                                         - William Cowper

Hello Chris, I most wanted to write to you because I can understand where your daughter comes from. I am 16. I have hid my anxiety, panic, and depression from my parents, friends and family. My mom knows about my anxiety now because I take a med for it. But, we never discuss it. Although, she didnt tell my dad... Some of my friends know. I am also a straight A student, take AP classes, online classes, classes at our local college, and tutor! (which never helps anxiety!)

But, it all started some time ago. It got really bad about 11 months ago. I was very afraid but refused to tell anyone. So, I talked to my school counselor. She was the only one I talked to for a long time. I was afraid to talk about it. I couldnt. I went through alot. More than most could believe! But, I have gotten better! (Boy! It feels GREAT to be able to say that!) I actually just started getting better a few weeks ago. I take a mild med now for anxiety, which has helped some.

Its been a long journey and it isnt over! My parents and friends have spoken about things in front of me before... you shouldnt feel guilty because you didnt know. My parents say things all the time and it makes me feel really bad, but they dont know. It makes me mad at myself because I feel like its MY fault...if I would tell them, then they wouldnt say such things! So...

But, I wouldnt mind talking to your daughter if you want! I am always up for helping...or just talking! My email and everything is on my profile if she is interested.

I hope you have a good day! Take care!

Sorry, I am new to this and did not pay attention

NO worries. I don't offend easily and I didn't take your comment in a negative way. Thanks to your daughter for reaching out to Bren. She is very excited!

I asked Brenna this morning but she didn't have time to check this morning. She is always running late! She is going to check when she gets home today.

I am so glad for that my friend
I have told Brenna to really open up to Cait about everything she is feeling
Cait has severe panic and anxiety along with deprssion
She like Brenna is a honors student
Type A personality I believe

I KNOW they will work this out dont worry my friend sometimes others here have had to help Cait out too..Mom just could not do what was needed.I believe it is because we are sometimes to close to the whole person and scenario ya know
Just my opinion.......
Take care my friend

LYN

Hello chriscars

I am sorry about Bren.

You have used Bren's  membership name to post this post.  Is there some way you can make sure you do not sign in under her name.  I assume you are sharing a computer   ?

Thank you in advance for your understanding of this request.

Kitt