Going slowly( I was told don't push school )

[momtecz]

My daughter started exposure therapy at the end of January she goes twice a week . She has made progress since the beginning... Her panic attacks after eating have stopped... She no longer sits in the bathroom for the entire day in front of the toilet ... She no longer asks me hundreds of times an hour if she will be sick but yet she has so far to go... She still is on homebound instruction and has been since January .. She no longer goes to dance or tumbling class .. She won't go to friends house... No eating anywhere !! Her therapist told me not to push school on the days she is supposed to go and decides not to ( she is to got twice a week for 1.5 hrs but has refused due to anxiety the last 3 days ... My husband and I will do all we can to help her but do you agree with no pushing the school issue? I just worry she may not get back!!!

[daffodil]

I would listen to the therapist. It sounds like she has made a lot of progress! It can be really scary to break out of maladaptive anxiety habits, and if she is pushed too much too soon, she may fall back into them. Totally my opinion as a person with anxiety, not a professional of any sort.

I think there is every reason to hope she will get back to school eventually. She is getting help for this problem early, and that is a really good thing. Hang in there.

[TryingToBeBrave]

Beacuse of the severitybof her fear, I wouldn't push it yet. Work on getting her comfortable and better, then she will have many years of school and fun activities ahead of her. i really struggled at 12-14. When she does go back part days, wld it help if u were there to start with...kind of like riding a bike? they may even have a room u cld sit and read, and only she wld know u r there.

[momtecz]

I am fortunate enough to have my Mom home with her everday right now while my husband and I work....I am a teacher so I try to make it here to work unless Keeley is having a really bad day....my mom sits ain the school parking lot while she is in there in class ...that does seem to help her knowing she is out there waiting on her....as this Esposure therapy continues Im sure she will be faced with harder things that make her anxious...school is at the top of her list right now even if its for just a little bit...i hope as time continues it will get easier for her! thankyou both for your responses!

[jess0930]

I would definitely listen to her therapist. School was very hard for me when I was younger (elementry school). (I am now 21) I would have panic attacks and scream and cry not to get on the bus to go to school. I was terrified. As she gets better she will slowly start doing more and more things. You will see. Eventually my parents did pull me out for all of middle school and homeschooled me through the 12K program which got me back on my feet.