anxiety issues with my son - ThinnerTimes

janine · 01-02-2008, 05:55 PM

I've never had to deal with anxiety, I've never seen anyone before who had such issues but I'm thinking my son has it severe. I've looked up the symtoms and have found he has alot of them. He's 17 now... He's woke up in the middle of the night once about 6-8 months ago and had some kind of panic attack... pending doom, the world was coming to an end or some catastrophic bomb or something. He tried to crawl out his window to go tell his girlfriend to get to safety. He woke up my husband and demanded the computers be unplugged. He went outside with my husband to locate the cat after he opened his window to climb out and heard a train in the distance... Lost it! saying, "that's it!, it's coming!". My husband and I were at a loss for words. What in the world? He's been able to keep his anxiety in check by not drinking the gin-sing drinks and power drinks and has gone running and walking to help. But still he has times when he's high strung and seems to be uncontained. Just as I am thinking everything will be fine and he's got in under some kind of control something happens.

Today, he went to work with a neighbor in landscaping. moving rocks from one yard to another, using wheel barows and shovel. he left at 8:30 this morning and arrived home at 3:30. He seemed happy and feeling good. Good enough to take a shower... fix his hair and head out the house to take the lights down off the house. He was talking a bit fast and seemed very happy so I didn't read anything into it. When he came back inside he went to the computer and spent about an hour typing a story. At about 5:00 he came out of the room paniced.. saying he had to go ride his bike.. "I can't talk about it, I just got to go!".. So, I thought he must be anxious and needs to get it out. so, I said, "ok, supper will be ready in 30 min." he said, "it won't take that long... I'll be back by then". about 30 min. later I get a call from the police. Come to find out he ended up at a strangers house, knocking on there door. He told the woman who answered the door, "Hi, my name is Brian. I had a feeling that there is a 12 year old girl that is in trouble in your home." The lady said, "No, there is no children here in my home". Brian went on to say, "I'm not on drugs, I'm not high, I am concerned... I have a feeling, I.. I heard a 12 year old girl screaming in the wind". The lady was concerned that Brian was not ok. She called the police because she thought Brian was not of right mind. So the officer tells me and dh the story. Brian just had a feeling something was wrong at that house. Strange... So his anxiety has escalated to the point that it is affecting strangers now.

I know this is not a gbp issue, at least I don't think it is. He has expressed his concernes about my eating and not eating some things. He has said last week, "Don't eat that!", "Don't drink that!" I tried to talk to him yesterday about it. I explained that I am awaire of what I can and can't eat and I am awaire of what could potentially cause me to be ill. I asked him to talk to me about it so I can explain. He said, "what do you want me to say, mom" "you want me to say I'm worried about you?" "why do you want me to say it?" I told him he didn't have to say it. just by telling me not to eat or drink he has said it. I think my surgery may be contributing to his anxiety issues...

Does anyone deal with anxiety issues on this board? How do people get it in control? How can I help him?... I'm going to find him a theropist tomorrow for sure, this has gone on long enough and it's worrying me.

Gina in NY · 01-02-2008, 06:10 PM

I am SOoooooo sorry you are having to deal with this - but it sounds like it is escalating. You may want to swoop in and try to intervene before something bad happens. 17 is a classic age for certain, very common, very treatable mental illnesses to show up. These are not average behaviors, as you know. You're going to need some help on this one. Maybe start with your PCP? Check your health ins. At the least, he may need some sort of evaluation. But stay closely involved, he will need a strong advocate every step of the way. There are a lot of inferior mental health services out there - you need to get referals etc. and find the best.

But if I were you, I'd take that next step.

You'll be in my prayers as will your sweet boy.

rappaport · 01-02-2008, 06:11 PM

Xanax is usually pretty good in dealing with anxiety, but in all honesty, it sounds like he may be dealing with something else. I would recommend getting him to see someone before he ends up getting hurt.

coptergirl · 01-02-2008, 06:26 PM

Definitely professional treatment is in order. They will evaluate him and treat him, and continue to work closely with him as he learns to trust them. You and he and your family will be in my prayers, love - please keep up posted...

VanessaSFL · 01-02-2008, 06:31 PM

This is IMO but sounds like more than anxiety to me.
Best wishes, how difficult for you and your family.

My heart aches and I know you will find the help your son needs.

fisher1000 · 01-02-2008, 06:33 PM

Janine,

These sound like Manic episodes rather than Panic episodes, maybe a borderline psychoses? I agree that the doctor is a good place to start, but you may also be able to find out information quickly through a psychologist visit. Some insurances require a referral from your PCP, but that should be easy enough given the circumstances.

Since he is not actively hurting himself or others, and it sounds like his priority is protection (of the cat, the girlfriend, and the stranger neighbor), maybe it is just an extreme anxiety situation that could be medically controlled. He needs to be evaluated though by a doctor...there are all kinds of tests they can run to determine what his specific needs are, whether it's just a dialogue with a psychotherapist or something drug-related.

Good luck and keep us posted. (And don't worry about this not being a GBS issue. Anything that causes you to need others is appropriate on this forum! We care about each other...that's what a community does!)

Take care,

Mike

coptergirl · 01-02-2008, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VanessaSFL

This is IMO but sounds like more than anxiety to me.
Best wishes, how difficult for you and your family.

My heart aches and I know you will find the help your son needs.

My thoughts exactly, VPA....

Toony · 01-02-2008, 06:53 PM

Janine... why does life have to be so blinkin' complicated!!! I agree with the folks here... see if you can get your son in to be evaluated.... Make sure he knows you're not saying he's crazy - just that he needs help coping with life right now.... I hope and pray you find the right therapist/doctor right off the bat and get him some help. I know you have "issues" with your older kids, and the "little guy" has been there for you all along...

Lots of love and hugs to you and your family!

katie

LyndasRoom · 01-02-2008, 07:28 PM

Janine,
I personally have suffered with anxiety and panic disorder since I was about 12 or 13. What you describe in your son is much more than I have ever experienced (and I've had some horrible episodes). My heart goes out to you and him (it's not easy feeling these things). Please get him some professional help. Both of you deserve some peace of mind. I do have to say that I do still get anxious, but my big panic attacks seem to be gone for now. Thank God! Nobody should feel that horrible!

rrk · 01-03-2008, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fisher1000

Janine,

These sound like Manic episodes rather than Panic episodes, maybe a borderline psychoses?

Has he shown any signs of depression in the past year? Also there are many "therapist" out there that are not really any more educated than you or I in this field they should be called counselors. He needs a Dr., insurance companies will send you to other places if they can. Please ever who he sees check them out.