Compromise with her. Ask her to go one more time just to give it one more shot.

Well, my older DD drove home from campus and took her to today's appointment. I'm going to take off work tomorrow afternoon to get her to the psychologist.

Hmm, I can see why you might be touchy about any suggestion of helicopter parenting. I agree that that's not exactly what's happening here. You're simply doing your best to help your daughter, who is struggling with the transition to adulthood, and it's perfectly reasonable for a parent to not want their child to suffer.

But therein lies the problem. She is no longer exactly a child. This is the transition to adulthood. The one where you do, at some point, actually have to let go of the reins. I don't know what's going to happen -- I don't know how your daughter will handle the upcoming months -- but just be aware that she might say all the things she knows you want to hear, and then privately ignore you. That might mean not going to the appointments you set up. It's part of the process of, er, taking the reins from your parents (to hammer that metaphor right into the ground). I'm giving this warning because I went through the exact same thing (only throw an eating disorder in there, too) and even though I said all the right things, because I wanted to give the appearance of being a "good girl", inside my head I rebelled. I did NOT want my parents' help. I couldn't quite figure out, at first, what I did want, but I clearly remember that parental involvement felt like unwanted interference.

I'm not trying to be a Debbie Downer here. The opposite, in fact. What I'm trying to say is that this too will pass (even though you feel sick with worry at the moment!). I've had a successful, happy life. Friends who describe early adulthood struggles have had similar success. Anxiety is common and manageable. So just hang in there. Your daughter will figure it out. You obviously must do what you can, but with each passing month, you have less influence, and your influence will be tolerated less.

She wants to go to today's appointment by herself, so I made her promise that she won't miss. Missed appointments have to be paid for, and too many of them = Doctor will drop her as a patient. I explained to her that all doctors and dentists have this policy, and she seemed to get it. I also told her she needs to go even when she feels better and doesn't think she needs help.

We did more or less determine that the Paxil may have relaxed her too much - to the point where she didn't care about anything. We got another Rx but I'm not going to fill it unless the psychologist says to.

That is a great start. Hang in there. Things will get better.

Thanks for keeping us updated, bettycrocker.

The challenging part is to get her to go even when she says she feels better. I told her it's not about figuring out what's wrong with her. It's about developing strategies to cope with all the stress life brings. I also told her that the psychologist said she's sure she can help her. I think her reluctance to go may be due to social anxiety. It's very difficult for her to open up to people. I'm sure the psychologist will work with her on that.

She made it to her appointment, praise God Almighty. My hope is that she will feel comfortable with the psychologist and take advantage of the CBT and possible other treatment. I wonder what the psychologist will say about the new medicine Rx. I don't want to fill it until I hear from her. I know she said that the Paxil was not the best medicine to start out with. More than likely she has a better solution.

My DD said she feels like the psychologist really understands her. I can't begin to tell you what a relief that is to me! I am not asking what was said or anything. That's confidential, and I want it to be that way so my DD won't be afraid to go. That said, I am carefully observing my DD's mood and behavior, as she will be taking a new medicine - Sertraline (brand name Zoloft). Hopefully things will go better now. She has a followup appointment with our PCP on Dec. 1 and another appointment with the psychologist on Dec. 11.

Hi Bettycrocker:

I feel for you. Do not think a bit what you are doing is helicoptering, especially from strangers on the internet who have no idea what you are going through, who are not mental health professionals, and some of them are not even parents. Helping one's child deal with mental health issues is what a parent needs to do and got to do, and sometimes it is actually life and death situation. Preventing loss of life and making sure your child gets the help she or he needs is what any responsible and loving parent will do.

I hope all goes well.

Oh, good news, bettycrocker. I'm glad there's good rapport with the psychologist.

Thanks for all the support. My DD had an anxiety attack in one of her classes today, but thanks to the psychologist teaching her how to deal with it, she was able to calm herself down and explain to the teacher what was going on. Yes, she needs therapy. I'm glad the psychologist made time to see her. It was her day off, but she felt it was important to see my DD sooner rather than later.

Great to hear of these positive steps. Hang in there.

Glad to hear your DD is receiving help. Here's to her continued improvement.

This is so difficult for everyone in the household, and I haven't been able to bring myself to tell other family members. I could use some support from my sisters and SILs but am not sure they'll understand.

@Betty Crocker,  I am so sorry.  I told you earlier that my 14 year old suffers for debilitating anxiety.  And people don't understand it. It is an illness. A neurological one.  

I will be blunt too.  Anna, very respectfully, it is an illness like cancer. And caring about the health of one's child or friend or family member is not helicopter parenting. It is this misunderstanding of mental health and it's minimization that make this so hard to handle. And it is incredibly common attitude. It is misunderstood. This is an epidemic and we better get a grip on this as a society :

http://healthland.time.com/201.....ng-adults/

This has become such an issue in young people, that our school district has made it a strategic goal to investigate, educate and put in place support systems for parents and kids. I have joined the committee to look at it. I sat next to a high school principal at the last meeting who told me that his biggest challenge right now are kids who become suicidal if they get Bs or dont get into the first school of their choice. This is important and real. And it has nothing to do with parenting.  It has to do with something in our society/enviroment that triggers genetic predispositions to anxiety that is making our kids nervous wrecks. It reminds me a lot of cildhood
diabetes.
We need to keep telling people that so that the veil of shame is lifted. No one would be ashamed of diabetes.  It has been on the news and NPR has done shows on it.  It is troubling.  We need to take this seriously just like a flu epidemic. 

Because of my son's anxiety ( he also has Asperberg's ) I have been to lectures, read books, slept on the floor for 3 weeks by his bed...just to understand and get educated and soothe him.  I have lost my temper with him, I have cried, we have driven six hours in the snow to see a child anxiety specialist.  He is now on medication , but it also needs to be tweaked.

Betty, we have also missed many appointments. I never know when he will be able to get there or not.  The doctors understand this but we still have to pay.  

Betty, please seek out a support group for parents with children who have anxiety.  

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Betty, one other thing...if you remember nothing else please remember this :

People with severe anxiety LOSE ALL PERSPECTIVE. Psychologist call this perspective taking. This is what can cause them to lash out and blame you.

Betty, I just read through the thread and hope your daughter is doing better. Worry about a child is one of the most stressful circumstances we go through as parents. I have no advice other than to do what you are doing, monitor, support and love her.

((hugs))

P.S. I read somewhere that depression and anxiety are more common in those with above average intelligence. I am not sure if it is due to more awareness or more pressure on oneself to achieve.

I hope things are feeling more in control. I have to wonder though just in case - I used to have severe anxiety attacks and felt like I might die! For me it ended up being an underlying thyroid issue that went undiagnosed for years. Regular blood work didn't show it. I had to have special tests referred by an alternative doctor. I've taken Armour thyroid for years now and never have anxiety attacks that aren't warranted.

ETA: I should add that I also was *very* low on ferritin and the low iron stores causing anemia can also create severe panic attacks.

We just got back from our cruise, a much-needed break. It looks like them new medicine might be working, but my DD is really struggling and my other 2 DDs fail to understand why we handle her (discipline, etc.) differently.

Thank you for the update, bettycrocker; however, I'm sorry to hear about the continued difficulties. Praying for you and your family.

Bettycrocker, I'm continuing to pray for your daughter and also for you with these added problems of family dynamics. Glad that the cruise was a good break.

Thanks for the ongoing support, everyone. The good part of all of this is that my DH is starting to accept that this is a real problem that has to be dealt with. I don't know what I'd do without his steadfast support. We have a lot on our plate.

I am so glad you got a break. I think that one of the hardest things with anxiety disorders is other people having to get to the point in which they realize it IS a disorder. I am so glad that your husband has gotten there. Your daughters will too, with time. It is important that they read about it and get informed so that they understand better.

I am so thrilled that the meds are working.

XXXXXXXXXXX

I just want to cry! My oldest DD just called to let me know that she didn't go to class today. I've tried to get in touch with her, to no avail. She has a doctor appointment this afternoon (I hope she goes!) and an appointment with the psychologist on the 10th. I let both doctors know what's going on today. I can't take off work for any reason, which makes it very difficult to go talk to the psychologist in person.

I'm so sorry, bettycrocker. Hugs.

I am so sorry. It is good that your other daughter was able to keep a tab on her. I hope she goes to her doctor appointments.

My DH and I are relying on the psychologist for guidance and doing the best we can. That's about all we can do.

Update: My DD has been missing more classes, so my DH and I intervened. He went with her to visit the psychologist and discuss what to do. The plan right now is for her to hopefully be able to get an Incomplete in her German class so that she can have some time to make up missed work. She will most likely not go to college during the Spring semester, and instead find a job. Meanwhile, she is encouraged to see the psychologist once a week and perhaps undergo further testing to get to the root of this problem.