My son wasn’t always anxious. At least, I don’t recall him being particularly prone to anxiety as a child. I might have described him as perceptive, but his anxiety seemed to sneak in quietly.
Now he’s 17 years old, and it has been a few years since we began to recognize his irrational fears as part of an anxiety disorder. We pinpointed the specific condition less than a year ago, and in the last six months, it spiraled out of control.
Looking back, I wish we had noticed the early signs. We didn’t fully understand the severity of his condition and certainly didn’t anticipate how quickly it would become overwhelming. There were clear indicators that his anxiety was taking hold.
As a family, we’ve always enjoyed traveling. In fact, we spent a year exploring the country as nomads, and my son relished every moment. However, during a two-week road trip last summer through various states, we noticed his anxiety increasing. Just six months later, he found it impossible to travel beyond a short distance from home. Before long, he struggled to attend school or even go grocery shopping. Even spending too much time outside his room would trigger intense panic.
We felt helpless as our son descended into a cycle of fear and anxiety. We sought help from a counselor when his daily life became affected, but the initial therapy didn’t yield much improvement. We tried another therapist specializing in anxiety, but that also fell short.
Desperate for answers, I reflected on everything he was anxious about. He frequently checked food expiration dates, constantly sought reassurance about the safety of his meals, and panicked whenever someone mentioned being ill. He became obsessed with hand sanitizer after outings.
It finally clicked when I asked him, “Does your anxiety center around the fear of vomiting?” After some thought, he confirmed it. He wasn’t experiencing generalized anxiety as we had assumed; instead, he had a specific phobia that required targeted treatment. This critical detail had eluded his counselors, as his intense fear of vomiting made him hesitant to even mention it.
Regrettably, I wish we had sought help sooner to prevent his anxiety from becoming so debilitating. Living in a small town made it difficult to find a therapist with the right experience. We made countless calls with no success. However, everything we researched about emetophobia—the fear of vomiting—indicated that it was treatable with appropriate therapy. We were prepared to drive five hours to the city for two months when, at last, we discovered a local counselor who had experience in this area.
When that therapist assured me over the phone that she could help my son, I felt a wave of relief. Watching a child suffer without knowing how to help is one of the most helpless feelings a parent can experience.
I can’t help but wonder if we had reached out for help earlier, perhaps a therapist could have helped mitigate the downward spiral that left my son nearly agoraphobic. If we had addressed his fears before they became so all-consuming, we might have spared him months, if not years, of struggle.
The good news is that he is making significant progress in therapy, and we’re witnessing the return of his vibrant personality. It feels like we’re finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. When this journey concludes, I might just have to create a tribute to his counselor or name a child after her. I’m that grateful.
If your child is showing signs of anxiety, depression, phobias, OCD, or any other mental health issue, seek help as soon as possible. Don’t wait to see how severe things can become. Just because a child appears to be managing for now doesn’t mean they will continue to do so. Many mental health disorders intensify during adolescence, and as life becomes more complex, it can become increasingly difficult for them to maintain their mental well-being.
There is absolutely no shame in seeking help. I wish more people would openly discuss the importance of therapy for mental health, as this could help dismantle the stigma surrounding it. If you don’t find the right therapist on your first try, keep searching. The right professional can save your child from considerable suffering, and potentially even save their life.
For additional resources on navigating anxiety and other mental health challenges, check out this informative article or visit Make A Mom for insights on home insemination. You can also find valuable information on pregnancy and related topics at NHS.
In summary, if your child exhibits signs of anxiety or other mental health issues, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Early intervention can make a significant difference in their lives.