Dr. Hive - Natural help for anxiety attacks, nervous stomach

[summerreading]

10 year old DS is starting to become really anxious when going out the eat or to a movie. One time he threw up once and had to leave somewhere and since then he gets anxious. Dh called me saying he is sitting in the car with him while my in-laws and kids finish up at a restaurant because DS is on his 6th nervous trip to the bathroom and gagging. This is starting to happen more frequently. He is due for a physical, so I will mention it then too. 

 

This was exactly me! It started out small and I became slowly dysfunctional and needed medication because the anxiety feedback loop was just too much. I was a nervous wreck from early teenage years on. I'd like DS not to have to go through that. 

 

I really like the company Native Remedies and will head over there to read reviews, but does anyone have something they use and like?

 

Edited June 23, 2017 by summerreading

[Guest]

You know, there might be a natural remedy that helps, same as there might be a pharma remedy that helps--but in either case, I would get help with this and fast. Get with a counselor who focuses on young people, anxiety and eating disorders.

 

I'm not just offering a friendly suggestion here. Get on top of this.

[MercyA]

As far as nutritional supplements go, I'd recommend B-vitamins, magnesium, and probiotics. You might also try L-theanine.

 

Please don't rule out medication. Neural pathways are laid down in childhood and can affect people for the rest of their lives. Even temporary use of medication can be helpful to break harmful thought patterns.

 

Hope you find something that helps.  :grouphug:

Edited June 23, 2017 by MercyA

[happi duck]

We find Rescue Remedy to be helpful.

 

(hugs)

[Pawz4me]

This is not something I'd fool around with. Not to imply that natural/alternative remedies are a waste of time. I think they can help sometimes. But they can often take a LOT of tinkering around with, and that can take lots of time. I wouldn't let things continue to escalate while I experimented. Getting DS18 on medication for anxiety was one of the best parenting decisions I ever made. The only regret I have is not doing it a year or two sooner. Not saying you need to go directly to pharmaceuticals, but at the very least I'd want to get him in to see a counselor. I wouldn't describe what you've listed as "small."   :grouphug:

[catz]

I absolutely think you should talk to a doctor about it. 

 

But that said clean diet, exercise, a good multi vitamin, probiotics, and flax fiber help my IBS that does have ties to anxiety quite a bit.  His case sounds bad enough where meds might be good to get over a hump.  Then he may be in a pace to try as might be learning some coping strategies to deal with stress (being able to verbalize fears, yoga breathing, meditation, journaling, etc). 

 

My daughter had a very anxious few months at about age 10 and we worked VERY hard with her to just keep swimming.  And suddenly it resolved before seeking more intense professional help (we had seen her ped about it a couple times).  I think in her case it came off of walking pneumonia (with antibiotics), then a bad stomach bug, and then some ugly incidents at her dance studio.  Has anything in particular happened that changed?

Edited June 23, 2017 by WoolySocks

[zoobie]

Another doctor immediately vote. Find someone who specializes in children and anxiety and see if you need an eating disorder specialist. CBT therapy can be helpful if you don't want to try medication at this point.

 

Did this come on suddenly? Has he or anyone close had strep? (PANDAS/PANS)

Edited June 23, 2017 by zoobie

[summerreading]

Thank you for the replies.

 

Yes, I will take him to a doctor, but this is situational and not all day long so I'd like to be able to say we tried something first before taking him in somewhere. Something like the Rescue Remedy looks good and Native Remedies has PureCalm which I'd like to try. Thanks for that recommendation. 

 

It's not too sudden but hasn't been going for a while. Dh and I were just talking about it and he has just recently been to a restaurant with him and was having a great time. We had a kids dinner party the other week and he was happy. What we are noticing is if he has a soda and sweets, this happens. He doesn't have soda at home really, so I am thinking maybe it is making his stomach cramp and he is getting an anxiety reaction worrying about throwing up in public. 

[6wildhorses]

My favorite is Hyland's 4 Kids Calm 'n Restful Tablets. I use them too. I like them better than the adult ones. One time my son was crying in the car because he was car sick. I gave him some of these, and he calmed down enough to fall asleep. When he woke up he felt so much better. They really take the edge off. Another strategy is to avoid food that can causes highs and lows, such as sugar, caffeine, or, in my case, dairy products. Also eating enough fats and protein helps.

[SparklyUnicorn]

Poor kid!  No practical advice...just hugs.