My son started year 7 this year and has been experiencing crippling anxiety. He has chest pains, stomach pains and nausea. We’ve had everything checked to rule out anything physical. He’s had trouble since grade 5 approx and I feel terrible I’ve only just resounded to the fact it’s anxiety. I feel like every day I send him to school I’m just torturing him :( He’s very smart and recently sent me a link to Virtual School Victoria. We are seriously considering this as an option. Has anyone done anything similar? Any advice welcome.
Any advice on children with anxiety and those that virtual hone school?
Any advice on children with anxiety and those that virtual hone school?
Posted in:
Health & Wellbeing, Education
3 Replies
I’ve homeschooled. I can’t say it was easy. I’d probably would have done virtual school (if that had been an option back then).
You will need to supervise, and make sure he is engaging in the material. So it is a time commitment. You also need to hold firm on certain levels of socialisation.
I’d clear it with a psychologist Before you agree to do this. As someone who suffers anxiety, the more my world shrinks, the more I want it to shrink.
So while this may look like a solution, it could make his situation worse and you need to discuss that with a professional.
Don’t be afraid to medicate. There needs to be a long term plan to get him out in the community.
The problem with anxiety is they want to live in their shell, however that doesn't actually help like they think it will. What happens acually is their world just gets smaller ans they find new problems in this small world, so they make it even smaller.
Rest and self care is healthy, but not coping with things they should be able to is not. Supporting them while they cant is good, but helping them to get back to coping needs to be the goal.
If you can support him to homeschool i would ask him what his plans are for community engagement and social groups (there are plenty in the homeschool community, theyre not always any easier tha n school though) and the deal would include academic goals and also anxiety treatment.
No please don’t do this it will make him worse. A huge part of anxiety is avoidance. If you avoid school, he will avoid everything. I know this because my son is 13 and has severe anxiety. You need to get a referral and get him into a child psychologist. They will help him. Do not home school what ever you do. It will make him worse. Also cut technology, this can make anxiety worse. You need to speak with him openly and tell him that you understand and you are going to get through this with him with professional help. Tell him to distract him self when he starts to get anxious. think happy thoughts, focus on different things. Go for big walks. If you met him avoid then the anxiety is winning and he will avoid anything he can. This won’t help him for the future. It’s bloody hard watching our kids go through this. My so. Has been like it since first year but with the school support and psychologists he is slowing making improvements. He doesn’t play sport or any group activities but I joined him up with art classes of an evening to help him over come his fears. Keep climbing that ladder with him. Keep going forward. Please don’t let him home school. Even though you think it’s the right thing it’s not. Once he is out of school that will be it. Get a referral ASAP for 10 visits by medicare and if you need more you get another care plan. At least try this. Ask for a female psych or if he prefers a male. Match him with one to suit his personality. Keep going until he finds the right one. comfort your son and make him aware that so many kids are feeling this but they all handle it differently and hide it so well. It’s normal to feel anxious.