Social Anxiety?? & School/Homeschool???

Question

I believe my son may have social anxiety. He has not wanted to go to school for the past 2 yrs to the point where he is getting physically ill with stomach problems/ibs. He started high school today but last night was very depressed and finally opened up to me and stated he feels awkward around people and he feels like he is not like other kids. He wants to be homeschooled but I am not sure if this will make his problem better or worse. I can't stand by and watch him be ill emotionally & physically but I am not sure what the best thing to do is. PLEASE ONLY MATURE ANSWERS......PEOPLE WHO CAN RELATE OR PROFESSIONAL OPINIONS GREATLY APPRECIATED!!

CG...sounds like we have alot in common. Email me if you'd like to discuss further @ [e-mail]

Answer 1

To be honest, i think you should see a doctor and get a referral to a councellor/psychologist,
your son needs to talk about these issues and recieve guidance.
Best of luck.

Answer 2

I have gone through the same ordeal with my son since he was in grade six. It started with a day here and there, then two or three in a row and so on. By the eighth grade it was a week at a time, intermittently throughout the year. Last year, grade 11 was a write off. Now I find he won't even get out of bed some days and I'm hard pressed to get him to leave his room. I have, since the beginning of the problem, tried the medical/psychiatric route of help, however, that will not work when the child refuses to go along, or even get out of the car.

Distance education was a thought, but the educational system will not permit it without the recommendation of a psychiatrist. In our province homeschooling does not get rewarded with a high school diploma so it is a good idea that the high school years are spent in a school. Not to mention that I'm a single parent, working 10-12 hrs a day in order for us to survive, so homeschooling is not really an option anyway.

Finally last June, I did get him to agree to a visit with a psychiatrist. The doctor did not recommend distance education as he felt that this would compound the problem by keeping him from his fears rather than learning to face them and cope. He was going to set him up with sessions for coping skills to help him overcome the axiety. To this day we have not heard anything.

Here we are at the beginning of another school year, the one that's supposed to be his graduation year. On the first day, he was gung-ho, out the door in a flash with aspirations of getting honour marks this year, which would not be impossible as he is more than bright. He went to school fighting a cold/flu as he was so determined. The second day, he was not feeling at all well and asked if he could stay home...he did have a terrible chest cough, so I reluctantly agreed. The third day a tylenol or two could have gotten him through the day but he argued that he really felt bad. I gave in to him again thinking...."this is the start". Well, here we are this morning, day four of the new school year, and he's telling me "Mom, it's happening again." "I just can't make myself go to school". So I call the office where we met with the professional. I did not get to speak with the doctor we had originally met with but did get to speak with a wonderful on call psychologist. She made some suggestions as to how to get help through the school: Call the school and have a team meeting set up with the guidance counsellor, school psychologist, principal and his teachers. They will help come up with strategies to help him through his year, whether that be by attending classes part time or something as simple as getting into classes a minute or two after the others as to avoid the crowds in the hallways. (I don't agree with this one as I think it might make a child the centre of focus among the other kids..."the kid that's always late" or how about " it must be nice to walk into class whenever you want to..what are you a tard?". Let's face it, kids can be very mean)
Needless to say, I'm tearing my hair out here and probably babblineg..but what I do wonder is...what is a parent to do? The more we try to help, the child thinks we're being mean, if we don't try to help the system deems us negligent? help!!

Answer 3

Ok....antipressants can be dangerous for young ppl under the age of 17 to take. As for medications that can help with anxiety and depression...I have had success with Effexor XR and Trazodone. Both are used to treat both symptoms you mentioned. I have been diagnosed with Clinical Depression and SAD (Social anxiety disorder). The Effexor and Trazodone have allowed me to function again. I am in sales so having anxiety about being in social situations really wasn't working out real well. It sounds to me like you need to speak to a professional about the issues you are having. Be sure to do a lot of research and get educated about the different medications available on the market right now. Cymbalta is supposed to be good for treating both the emotional & physical symptoms of depression. Also be active in your treatment and don't be afraid to seek help. You can get help and live a normal life. I am!

Answer 4

I am so happy, it was only a 35 minute drive ( 70 minutes total) but absolutely no sign of anxiety or panic i shopped till I dropped - brilliant! I will now go for the next stage DUAL CARRIAGE way, probably at the weekend, with my husband accompanying me first then the solo drive, if successful the final stage of driving on motorway

Beat Anxiety And Panic Attacks Naturally?

Answer 5

My cousin had that to the point she would run away from home and throw up if she was forced to go to school.

My aunt enrolled her in a smaller school and that helped, one where she felt individual and everyone knew her. My aunt also taught her how to act confident by practicing in the mirror and role-playing. Your son might think it's stupid but trust me my cousin is amazing now and even if she doesn't feel condifent at first she acts like it and now she has tons of friends.

Good luck with your son!

Answer 6

I can understand if this just happened. High school is such a dramatic change in his life. But since it has gone on for a while, there may be other issues. See if you can get him into counseling. There may be other problems that you are both unaware of. Good Luck

Answer 7

well what i have noticed with myself i get scared around others more so when i know them Weird people I don't know i don't have a problem with..
but keeping him away from his fear in general is sheltering and will only keep him away from people!
my suggestion is to get to a doctor they have medication that may help. and make him face his nearves! Yes it will be hard yes he may get ill but practice makes perfect! help him each day to step out of his comfort zone - make him ask strangers at a store where something is, make him ask a gas station for directions. put him in social settings if he continutes to get ill then you will need a doctors help!

Answer 8

My son has anxiety issues as well. We found it helpful to bring him to a psychologist to have him evaulated for anxiety issues, sensory issues, ADD, etc... There are medications that can help as well.
We have decided not to homeschool our child because the real world is out there, and as hard as it is for them, they must learn to live in and cope with the world. As parents we are aware of the situation and we are supportive to our son.

Answer 9

At some point he needs to get acclimated to society. You may be doing him a huge disservice by enabling his anxiety. What will happen if he moves on to college or the work force? He needs to adapt.

Answer 10

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