My son's therapist says he should be on anti-anxiety drugs. He has stayed home from school for weeks at a time this past year. He is anxious to begin with but the additional stresses of school are too much for him. During July and August he attends day camp and has no problem getting out of bed, he runs..... cuz there's no stress, there's just fun....
Anyway, today he stayed in bed and said he's anxious about having not completed his homework. He hadn't completed it because he was unable to, did not know the answers to the question on the sheet. I had to physically remove him from bed and forcefully take him to the bus, amidst protests and tears. But I didn't want to start another cycle of staying home, as had happened the previous year.
So I called his psychotherapist. And he said "Don't you see your son need medication for the anxiety?"
Here's the thing. My son has already been on prozac and I saw absolutely no difference. He has been on propranalol and risperdol and it only made him very sedated.
The question I have now is: What kind of medication can I give to my child, that will lessen the anxiety, to the point where the anxiety doesn't interfere with his going to school. And without side effects such as tiredness or weight gain (he gained 10 pounds on zyprexa, or rispersal) ?
I somehow don't see that medication would lessen the anxiety (without the negative side effects of the meds). But if you have any ideas I'd so much appreciate hearing them.
Thanks!