anxiety puzzle - Mental Health Message Board

felix50 · 09-15-2003, 11:14 AM

My 16 year old son (now a HS junior) has been suffering from anxiety for about two years now. The past school year and again this school year this has translated into a phobia about going into the classroom. Grades have plummeted and the prospect that he won't finish HS is looming in my imagination. He has taken Celexa (briefly), Effexor XR (for about nine months) and recently began taking Risperdel (jury still out). He otherwise has a normal teenager's life, likes girls, holds down a job, lots of friends, etc. etc. Where is the light at the end of the tunnel? Would anyone like to wade in?

j3nuinebrui17 · 09-15-2003, 11:21 PM

There is a light, but let me first ask you if he's in therapy?
Remember, he's only exhibiting academic difficulties bc of his illness. This is very common among adolescents. He may need to slow down or take some time off to speed up his recovery, but he can get there. You just need to always keep your head up high and give be that stable backbone. Social (including familial) support is the greatest buffer against mental illnesses. (And this is shown by studies too!)

felix50 · 09-16-2003, 05:39 AM

Thanks for your reply. Yes he is in therapy (for over a year) but what is frustrating is the apparant lack of progress. My wife and I are doing the best we can so he does have a stable family environment. As a man I just want to flip a switch and take care of it but this kind of thing doesn't work that way. Thanks again.