The Journey with Anxiety

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We are an ADHD family. I am married to a man with ADHD and of our 4 sons, 2 of them are ADHD and the jury is out on the third. 

This is a post on anxiety. Anxiety can be a co-morbidity of ADHD and infact most ADHD children and adults struggle with a measure of constant anxiety. 

That nagging feeling of ," Have I forgotten something, somewhere?" or," Have I forgotten to do something?" 

Some children are so anxious that is becomes a huge problem for them. Anxiety rules them and causes them not to enjoy the things of life.

This was the story for our son..

From about the age of 5 he began to show real and ongoing anxiety. He is a naturally outgoing and extrovert child with lots of laughter and fun in him but he would dissolve into tears if faced with anything new or unknown. 

He could not self- talk and nor could he self- sooth or regulate these desperate emotions.

As time went on and he began primary school, things got worse for him despite a kind and supportive teacher and despite me being alongside him, helping and working  with him.

We decided to get some professional help for him and spent some time with a play therapist who helped him with some tools.

Generally , over the next years , his anxiety remained much the same. It reared its head whenever something new came along and it meant that he was unable to do those things that he was good at.

He definitely would not try anything that he thought might be difficult.

One day, he sat on the floor and said to me. " I am so tired of always being afraid to do the things I am good at." 

A cry for help.

I explained to him we could get some help that would mean he could take a tablet . Would he think about it. Another new thing!!

The next day he asked me if he could go and see the doctor before next Tuesday?

We saw a child Psychiatrist  and she spent time talking through his journey with him. We decided together on a low dose of an antidepressant ( treating an anxiety disorder)

We returned to our play therapist for a top up of tools and.....

The change was fabulous and life changing. Our son has gone from strength to strength with a small blip inbetween. 

He has taken part in the orchestra, played in a concert, climbed up on a tree obstacle course and joined drama and Magic School. All of these things were available to him before but he could not do them as his fear ruled.

Thank you Lord for the help available in good medication.