6 year old on anxiety medication??

[meandtheguys2]

I agree that medication - even for a child - can be a lifesaver and miracle worker. However, I think the child's quality of life needs to be affected before coming to that decision. If the anxiety is keeping them from functioning as a normal child (i.e. not wanting to leave the house, having frequent panic attacks, etc) - and medication is available to help them, then why not?

I do agree that it's worth trying therapy too, even in combination with medication.

If the anxiety is situational, then therapy is a great option. And, the meds can be used to get a grip until the therapy has a time to take hold. It doesn't have to be long term.

 

[JunieJay]

I responded to your other thread on this subject, I am so glad you got your daughter to a doctor.

When my son was pulling his hair, it was used as a relaxation technique. He wasn't diagnosed with anxiety, and he eventually outgrew this "habit".

However, I have been down the road of having to make the decision whether or not to put my child on mood altering drugs, and I decided against it. I've never regretted my decision. His problems (mostly sensory) are not severe and certainly managable without drugs. If it ever came to the point where they weren't managable, I would revisit the issue of medication. I think only you can decide this for your child, in consultation with a child psychiatrist and her pediatrician. Good luck.

 

[CathrynRose]

I saw your post about your daughter and her eyelash pulling. I started pulling my hair out, in one spot on my head at about age 11.

Although anxiety might cause the impulsion to pull, it's an OCD - Trichotillamania: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=trichotillomania&spell=1

Ive never been on meds for it, and I do have it pretty bad. There are behavioral methods I'd begin with before I'd slap her on meds. Band-Aids on finger tips is a simple one.


PM me if you need anything.

 

[mickeyboat]

I guess I agree with everyone else. To me medication seems like a last resort in the situation you described. If alternative therapies would help, I think you should pursue them first. (To clarify - if symptoms were so bad they were greatly affecting her everyday life, then I would sully support medication).

Denae

 

[karynnix]

Thank you all so much for your input! I wouldn't worry so much, but my DS8 is autistic and I guess I recognize things in DD more because of that. She has always been "nervous", but lately it seems that it is getting so much worse. She was sitting up in her bed the other night crying because she had library at school the next day and couldn't remember where her book was. She cried for a solid hour! She worries about everything and everybody all the time. She doesn't eat much at all, and I could tell this morning that her jeans were much looser. She is so smart and I want her to enjoy life. I don't want for her to worry and be anxious about things so much. I have made her another appointment for Wednesday to meet with a different doctor.

Thank you all for your support and ideas!!

 

[my3kids]

A child psychiatrist is the perfect person to see for this. If medication is warranted, they are ones who are the most experienced in dosage and side affects in children. (the other option might be a neurologist. ) The psychiatrist will work with a therapist on treatment plans if you and he/she think therapy is warranted.

I didn't read the initial thread, but could it be a tic? If that were true, some medications might make it worse. See the specialist.