Stress Center Peer Support

My daughter has always had a fear of vomiting/swallowing. Over the years it has become more prevalent, although it was minimally invasive in terms of affecting her life other than making her a very picky eater.

Last Thursday, out of the blue while in a Target changing room trying on bathing suits, she had a full blown panic attack. Shaking, crying, feeling she was dying, becoming irrational, all of it. It took us an hour to get her calmed down enough to even get her into the car. It took us 20 minutes to get her out of the store! She was paralyzed by panic.

We took her to the hospital, but after discussion with an admissions counselor, decided not to admit her. She slept OK that night, but upon waking was nervous/anxious and within 30 minutes had another panic attack. My wife spent most of the day driving around, trying to at least get a medication that would calm her down.

Long story short we got her some Ativan, and an appointment with a counselor. Attack was last Wednesday, appointment was Tuesday past. Tried to give her some calming techniques, etc, but we need to treat this much more aggressively than doing deep breathing and butterfly hugs.

We've done a ton of research and she primarily exhibits most of the symptoms of Phagophobia. I realize we are just parents surfing the net, but we can't even find someone to make a definitive diagnosis.

My daughter is small for her age, 5'1'' and only 85 pounds. She is already down 5 pounds after hardly eating for the past week. She KNOWS food won't make her sick, that she can swallow it, but the mere thought of it make her so anxious she can barely eat. And now she's in constant fear that she is going to have another panic attack.

Counseling 1x a week isn't going to do squat. She is already withering away in front of us. Summer break is here and we want to move as decisively as we can to get this treated.

We rapidly discovered resources in our area (Tampa) for true anxiety panic and phobia treatment seem to be very, very limited. Can anyone suggest an inpatient treatment that treats teenagers for sever phobias and related anxiety? It can be anywhere in the US, not just local. Is there anyone else who's gotten treatment for this type of disorder who can suggests a therapist or program? Is there a coach in Tampa that can work through the Attacking Anxiety program with her? WOuld the AA program even be applicable here?

Thanks-
Dave

Hello Dave,
You sound like wonderful, supportive, caring, loving parents which is what she needs. If I were you, I would get a hold of the Mid West Center for Depression, Stress and Anxiety. And, if you are serious, you might see about Lucinda working with your daughter personally. She has worked with a lot of kids from just youngsters up to teens, well- I guess really of all ages, but she has worked with teens. Also, Carolyn had a simular problem with swallowing and choking, maybe try to get a hold of her for advice. I would see if she will look at this site to see that there are all kinds of people who are going through what she is and can really understand what she's feeling. Sometime the feeling of being alone with is just the absolute worst. When I first heard Lucinda talk about what I had, and heard other people describe exactly what I was feeling, there was a huge weight taken off my chest. A lot of people with anxiety feel this overwhelming, weight on them and they really know what it is or why it is but it of course scares them. If you decide to try the program, even though it's spendy, I would definitley sign up for the one on one personal coaching for both you and wife and your daughters sake. I think it will help put up the big STOP sign that your daughter needs to help break those obssessive scarey thoughts and help with her anticipating her next anxiety attack. Good Luck and we're all here for yous and her-

Thanks SP, will follow up on your suggestions.

She knows she isn't alone, that millions of people have similar problems. On the one hand, we don't want to show how concerned we are and how serious this is, on the other if we downplay it and she fails to make progress she could begin to feel even more out of control....

Dave,

Wish I could direct you to the appropriate treatment for your daughter but I know of non-sorry. I do agree that your best option would be to contact the Mid West Center they have alot of contacts I'm sure they could suggest something.

I'm sure this is very difficult for your family at this point however it sounds as though your very active in finding some help. Keep searching.

I totally agree that at this point it is best not to pressure your daughter as this may induce more panic attacks. She needs a qualified therapist that deals in this area and specifically with children or youths. Has the medication helped?

Anyway sounds as though you are on the right track,hang in there?