[catsrhelm]

Hello there. I need some help. My son has generalized anxiety disorder. He is on medication for it, but I still notice he has good and bad days. How do I help him overcome his anxiety? I am in desparate need of answers.

[Hellion]

Well depending on the severity of the anxiety disorder, he might not be able to completely overcome it per say...so focusing on how to handle it might be a more useful direction to go. Aside from medication there are relaxation techniques and such that can sort of help which could probably be taught to him....also though just helping him through anxiety/panic can help like if he's having a panic attack like comfort him and try and make him feel safe and know that nothing bad will happen. Also its very possible certian environmental stimuli can trigger anxiety so perhaps attempting to find out some of the things that set off his anxiety or make it worse and maybe solutions for those or ways to work around it. Like if he gets more anxious after a long day of being out and about...maybe he needs more rest time, or if a lot of noise/chaos stresses him out maybe he needs more quiet time. Lol I by no means have all the answers or anything, but I've had anxiety issues since I was a kid and it seems coping is more realistic then totally overcoming it....though with treatment and learning some coping skills early on there is a good chance his anxiety could improve and become much less severe to the point he wouldn't qualify for a diagnoses of an anxiety disorder anymore but it could still persist its hard to say.

[pisces22]

I'm sorry I can't give you any answers. Hellion's suggestions are very good. I just want to wish you luck. My parents have been dealing with me and my sisters mental health since we were around your son's age as well. Especially my twin sister. They took her to a lot of doctors. When we were younger the doctors recommended drawing as a form of therapy and it is surprisingly relaxing and keeps your mind entertained and focused. My twin's anxiety got extremely bad again in high school and she started seeing a therapist when she was a sophomore in HS. She hasn't had any more anxiety attacks in 4 years and I hope it stays like that for a lot more years. She tells me all the time that the therapist taught her some breathing techniques and that helped her a lot to overcome her anxiety attacks. I always had anxiety and depression but I recently got severely anxious and depressed. I just started seeing a therapist last week and I hope it gives me the same results. I regret waiting so long and letting it get this far. I hope your son can find some relieve soon. I don't think it is fair at all for kids to suffer such illnesses when they're so young and innocent. Sending you good vibes and a lot of hugs for both of you! I really hope your son can get better.

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[globe mallow]

I know how hard it is to be a parent of kids with mental illness. I found the most help from NAMI. They have a class called Family to Family. It's very good, a real life saver. The best thing I did for my kids was to go to therapy for myself. Sending hugs.

[Hellion]

Originally Posted by globe mallow

I know how hard it is to be a parent of kids with mental illness. I found the most help from NAMI. They have a class called Family to Family. It's very good, a real life saver. The best thing I did for my kids was to go to therapy for myself. Sending hugs.

That too I think its a good thing for parents to get therapy if they are having trouble coping with raising a kid with mental health issues...or hell even a kid without them so they can get some extra support and advice on how to appropriately handle some of the stress and what not.

[catsrhelm]

Originally Posted by Hellion

Well depending on the severity of the anxiety disorder, he might not be able to completely overcome it per say...so focusing on how to handle it might be a more useful direction to go. Aside from medication there are relaxation techniques and such that can sort of help which could probably be taught to him....also though just helping him through anxiety/panic can help like if he's having a panic attack like comfort him and try and make him feel safe and know that nothing bad will happen. Also its very possible certian environmental stimuli can trigger anxiety so perhaps attempting to find out some of the things that set off his anxiety or make it worse and maybe solutions for those or ways to work around it. Like if he gets more anxious after a long day of being out and about...maybe he needs more rest time, or if a lot of noise/chaos stresses him out maybe he needs more quiet time. Lol I by no means have all the answers or anything, but I've had anxiety issues since I was a kid and it seems coping is more realistic then totally overcoming it....though with treatment and learning some coping skills early on there is a good chance his anxiety could improve and become much less severe to the point he wouldn't qualify for a diagnoses of an anxiety disorder anymore but it could still persist its hard to say.

The enviroment thing makes sense because he also suffers from autism spectrum disorder.