Author Topic: help me with my son... please :( (Read 317 times)

missworried · « **on:** January 17, 2012, 01:00:06 AM »

My son is seven years old, and he has very bad panic attacks. The very first attack he had was about two years ago, and he woke up from a sound sleep... Sweaty and shaking, I right away thought it was sone kind of blood sugar issue. But the past few months his attacks have been coming so kuch more frequently. Four nights a week on average. He now sweats, shakes, talks about a lump in his throat, and says he's scared that he's going to throw up. Sometimes we will awaken to him running through the house in an extreme panic. I myself have had panic attacks, so I know the feeling, I feel sad that my little boy is going through this. Let me just give some background.... He lives at home with myself and my husband and two sisters and one baby brother... We are a good, close loving family... My.son LOVES to play xbox, and hockey. I am bring him to his ped some time next week, to see if he has any suggestions.... But until then.... Is anyone here familiar with CHILD PANIC ATTACKS???? does anyone have any ideas of what I can do to help him? Thank you all for reading.

~justme~ · « **Reply #1 on:** January 17, 2012, 01:19:09 AM »

Taking him to his doctor is a good choice.. In the meantime I would hold him much as possible and let him know u r there. Try to see if u can get him to understand as much as u can. Comfort him. Sometimes less sugars and caffiene I was told will help with children. Reading something happy and calming to him. Limit video games because they can cause children to be uptight. Physical exercise is great. These r just thought and things told to me with my children. Hope it helps an good luck.

missworried · « **Reply #2 on:** January 17, 2012, 01:37:21 AM »

Thank you for the reply. I do try to comfort him... But I know first hand that even words people say can trigger panic and anxiety.... I just don't know what to do

~justme~ · « **Reply #3 on:** January 17, 2012, 02:25:29 AM »

I understand your concerns. I am dealing with my 13 yr olds' anxiety bipolar at this time and it's very troubling. Sometimes words don't help but it it won't hurt to try. Patience is a plus as I am having a hard time myself with that. It takes alot of support and that's what we r here for.

jane134 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 17, 2012, 06:00:32 AM »

Awww Miss, i really feel for you. I would really hate to see my child going through that, knowing full well what they feel like myself. The only things i can think of to suggest are, comfort (which you are doing already), take a look at his diet, i know kids that age love junk food (i know mine does!), try and cut out fizzy pops, e numbers, anything that might make him that little bit hyper. Also see that he gets a lot of exercise. This might help him sleep better at night, if he has had lots of fresh air and has been worn out with exercise. Do something fun like football, rounders, something he loves playing. Good luck with the Ped - I am hoping he gets some comfort real soon.

missworried · « **Reply #5 on:** January 17, 2012, 08:09:39 AM »

Thank you, I am so thankful for the supportive responses.

travel_fan · « **Reply #6 on:** January 18, 2012, 11:02:43 PM »

Just thinking about it. It sounds like maybe a trigger is there and maybe unconscious. Like a character in a video game or a scary tree 5 blocks away or because body chemistry at that particular time of day. Just ideas. Hope he gets help that's a sad time to experience what many of us do. When I was 7 I laid awake crying one night thinking about how big the universe is and the concept of trillions of years but was comforted by my older brother who came and helped ease my mind. Hope all goes well with the little fella.

tanjab74 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 20, 2012, 03:20:19 AM »

Hi I think maybe enroll him in sports, swimming is very good for anxiety, or soccer where he will meet new friends. Stop with sweets and colas and all junk foods. Watch comedies together, go to playrooms. Hope it helps

missworried · « **Reply #8 on:** January 21, 2012, 12:43:40 AM »

Thank you all very much. :)

Shallovercome · « **Reply #9 on:** January 22, 2012, 01:18:58 PM »

From one mom to another-I am so sorry for you. I know the pain of feeling at a loss and the utter despair of being a parent in this situation.

My advice? One-think about the fact anxiety is often genetic and that this is probably what is driving your child's anxiety. This is a good thing (he has a parent that can empathize) and a bad thing (he has a parent that can empathize and overreact as is inherent in this disorder-ugh!) So-don't overreact. Don't make this into a catastrophe. This is a challenge-not a block forever.

Second-view this as an opportunity to help your son start to frame what could very well be life-long challenge with the correct mindset. Give him the tools to talk himself through these feelings of anxiety. Need help on this? Look for a good anxiety program that reframes thinking. "I am dying and I am going to throw-up" becomes, "This is just anxiety and it will pass. I will not die and I will not throw up. It is just that tricky ole' anxiety that is making me think this."

Third-Know that you are a good mom. You are not causing this. You are trying to help him. Life gives everyone a challenge. Your son is very lucky to have been born into a family that is smart enough to go looking for help for him. What if your only response was , "Waht is your problem? Get over it already." Then he would REALLY have a challenge.

Best of luck!

missworried · « **Reply #10 on:** January 23, 2012, 01:12:26 AM »

Shallovercome, thank you so much for your kind words. I have scheduled his frist visit with the child "talking doctor" as my son would call it. I hope and pray that he can become bigger than his anxiety.

Shallovercome · « **Reply #11 on:** January 23, 2012, 11:02:55 AM »

Missworried,

Your son not only has a great shot at over coming all of this young (anxiety is the most treatable of all mental health issues!) but also, keep in mind most children that exhibit high anxiety are also hugely creative and or intellectual. You are so smart to steer him in the right direction while he is still so young.

Rooting for you!

crazygirl1 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 23, 2012, 11:23:01 AM »

Right away I get the feeling ti is not panic attacks causing the trouble, but something health related causing the panic attacks. He's so young and he's saying he has a lump in his throat, feeling like he's going to throw up-a child that young cant completely verbalize everything so you have to piece it together like a puzzle. Maybe he's having acid reflux or something like sleep apnea where he stops breathing then gasps for air...this wakes him up and he has no idea whats going on so he freaks out. Poor baby.

missworried · « **Reply #13 on:** January 26, 2012, 08:12:56 AM »

Thank you for the reply, but it is without a doubt anxiety. His pediatrician ruled out any medical causes.

tam · « **Reply #14 on:** January 27, 2012, 06:48:57 PM »

I can relate. My 12-year-old son has terrible panic attacks. His biggest fear is that he's going to throw up or lose control. He's terrified of illness of any kind. Even a sore throat. I am up with him most nights, trying to calm him down. Since i have panic disorder myself, it's really hard for me when he is so upset. I don't want to medicate him but I'm about at the end of my rope.

Shallovercome · « **Reply #15 on:** January 27, 2012, 08:12:47 PM »

I know it is so hard as a mom to watch your child struggle with something so frightening. It stirs up all the anxiety for you too! (Anxiety is just such a delightful beast!) I know that helping my child learn to aggressively "talk" to their panic and see that it is not uncontrollable helped my family immensely. We went to a great CBT therapist and it helped a lot. Have you tried this?

tam · « **Reply #16 on:** January 28, 2012, 07:21:31 PM »

We are seeing a therapist in a week and we also have an appointment with a pediatrician to talk about getting him some meds for the especially tough times. I am beside myself with worry and fear for him.

Shallovercome · « **Reply #17 on:** January 29, 2012, 05:26:45 PM »

Tam and Missworried,

Your children are so lucky to have mothers like you. You are not negating their feelings, nor are you stuck and not moving forward. Keep searching for answer and help and you will find solutions. Things can and do get better.

Also-be grateful that your child's anxiety is now-not when they are out in the world at 18 or 19 and lost to your guidance. They will be learning skills that will help them for the rest of their lives-and most likely they will have high energy lives that will need these skills. They get to do this with your care, love and support. This is a positive, even thought right now it seems terribly painful.

My hopes and thoughts are with you!

S.L. · « **Reply #18 on:** February 10, 2012, 11:30:09 PM »

I really feel for you and your son my son is 14years old he started having panic attacks at the same age as your son, it tore me apart because I started at the age of 8 so I know what it feels like we both still suffer with them but they have gotten better, I found that by explaing the symptoms to him and telling him that he would never die from them helped him alot I taught him everything that I could about panic so when he had one it would'nt be as frightning including the lump in the throat explain to him that it's a sensation it's not really closing or going to choke him the more he fears the lump the worse it is, now my son get's them and deals with it alot better it's hard to have but when they do come he knows what it is, good luck I'll pray for him like I pray for my son.

Bost124 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 13, 2012, 05:25:08 AM »

I personally think it is great your so helping with your son my mom is the only one that seems to calm me down and sometimes knowing shes away can send me into a state of panic funny right an 18 year old idk all i can think of is losing my dad ripped a big whole in me and knowing my moms there helps once again keep up the good work and something that seems to help me is music idk if anyone else has had success with music but if i listen to a song i know and sing the words and get my mind out of the state of panic it helps me a lot.. my hope is that your son recovers from this best wishes he is in my prayers

HelpImAlive · « **Reply #20 on:** February 13, 2012, 09:05:39 PM »

1. Definitely take him to the doc and see what they suggest.
2. Does he exercise during the day? That might allow him to sleep more restfully. I've also been told to avoid watching TV at night before bed, and try to do quieter, more relaxing things (like read,etc).
3. When he's in the middle of panic, try to distract him as best as you can (ask him questions, etc). Get him to breathe and relax.
4. Tell him it's okay if he throws up and that it's just his mind making him feel physical symptoms.

I'm a 20 year old female who's suffered panic attacks since about 7 years old. I know now that had my parents intervened (addressed it with a doctor) when I was a little child, I might not have had it so bad in my teen years... so definitely get help!