8 yr old son, sudden onset of anxiety

[ang7880]

My son has displayed symptoms of anxiety all of his life, but never anything that stopped  or put a strain on any of our daily activities.  Lately, however...since school began nearly a month ago, his anxiety has seemed escalated.  He rarely lets me walk out the front door to get the mail or to take the dog out back to potty.  I am a stay-at-home-mom and usually take advantage of the evenings when my husband gets home from work to run my errands.   This never was a problem prior.  Lately, if I even mention the need to run an errand when his dad gets home, my son freaks out, eyes tear up and he begs for me not to go.  I end up either not going at all or taking him with me.  I have three children, ages 3, 6 and 8, with him being the oldest.  

He was also diagnosed ADHD nearly 2 years ago and has been medicated on school days only.  He is currently taking Daytrana.  His anxiety began the first week of school, but he did not begin taking his medication until the 2nd week of school.  My husband and I think this may be school related, more than medicine related....or a combination of both.  For the meantime, I've chosen to take him off his meds to see if it's to blame.  I also have him scheduled to see his pediatrician on Wednesday, but am wondering if that will just be a waste of time and money.  It's so frustrating and sad to see him worry so much.  

For the past 4 weeks his anxiety has seemed worse only in the evening hours, but we noticed it this weekend, during the day as well.  He and his dad pulled his slot cars out and ...spent 45 minutes setting the track and everything up.  Then I had to go to the store..... instead of staying to race slot cars with dad, he put his track and cars up and left to go with me.  I felt HORRIBLE...for one, that he didn't get to play with his slot cars...as it's a rare occurrence that we drag them out.... and SECOND, that I cannot figure out what is causing this anxiety.  

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

The start of school often prompts anxiety in children, particularly separation anxiety. When a child displays baseline anxiety as well, the situation is exacerbated. Now, relative to management of the behavior, it's important not to defer to his anxiety at all costs. That is, you should go about your business and give him the opportunity to adapt. If you quell the anxiety by staying at home or bringing him with you, you're not really teaching him how to master the anxiety. Let him experience your going out and returning. This approach may be more difficult, but in the long run it's the best thing to do. It also won't be harful to suspend his medication for a bit, but it's not likely to make much difference relative to the anxiety.

[RockRose]

I've read your post several times through to try to absorb all the details you've written.

It sounds like you're saying he is only exhibiting anxiety when you leave him alone with your husband?   It sounds like he is exhibiting that anxiety both during the daytime and at night,  when you try to leave him there with your husband.

I would think a child experiencing generallized anxiety would show it most late at night,  worrying about the school day,  or other anxieties in general.

The fact that he would rather leave the slot cars and go to the grocery store with you seems so telling.

It's just a thought.

[ang7880]

RockRose, Please elaborate.  I'm not sure that i grasp the point you are trying to make.  

We met with his pediatrician yesterday morning, in which he spoke with him in private as well.  Nothing has come to my attention specifically that would be alarming...or to make me think he was being harmed.  

He is also having difficulty sleeping at night, usually waking up and falling asleep either on the floor of the living room or on the couch.  This morning I woke to find him at right beside me, but on the floor.  He says he has been seeing things in his room.  He asks each night if he can sleep in the living room instead of his bedroom.  Says he sees a man as well.  I do not discredit him.  But I'm beginning to wonder....
stress from school (he's 3rd grade, but in a 3rd-4th split class and is very overwhelmed), not sleeping well during the night....could these be partly to blame for  the anxiety?  After 5 days of no Daytrana, I've come to the conclusion that it's not his meds.  

[RockRose]

I just wanted to ask,  it sounds like too subtly,  if he was afraid to be with his dad.    For whatever reason - because the dynamics get weird when it's just dad and the kids,  or he gets picked on or berated,  whatever.  

It certainly sounds like that's not the case.

Have you looked up Daytrana on the internet?  From the little I read,  it increases anxiety in children who are prone to anxiety,  and causes insomnia.  

Five days may not be enough to get this out of his system.  Can you leave him med-free and then try something else that won't increase his anxiety?

Best wishes with him.  

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

The average eliminiation half-life of Daytrana is 3-4 hours - this means that, after a period of 3-4 hours, half of the original dose remains in the blood. The remaining medication continues to decrease at the same rate until it is entirely eliminated.

[ang7880]

Thank you for your comments, Dr. Kennedy.  I will heed your advice in regard to letting him adapt to my leaving and returning.  

RockRose,
Thank you for your comments as well.   I would love eliminate Daytrana or any other stimulant medication from his diet altogether, but unfortunately no homeopathic or herbal therapies have worked.  I currently have him on an elimination diet to see if any of his symptoms, anxiety and adhd, may be to blame for food allergies.  

It's bad enough he doesn't want me to leave the house.  Right now I have this horrible headache, thinking migraine....my normal procedure is to drink loads of water and lay down to sleep it off.... usually works.  He's saying he doesn't want me to lay down or take a nap...  but doesn't give me a reason.

He's recently told me that another reason he doesn't want me to leave the house is that he is afraid something will happen to me while I am away.

[jprohio]

Our 8 yr. old has very similar problems with generalized anxiety that will morph into separation anxiety. His pediatrician put him on Prozac which has helped immensely.

[musical grammy]

Magnesium is a natural, healthy calming mineral.  Try "Kids Natural Calm,"   Spread it throughout the day and before bedtime.  It's powdered, so it is easily absorbed, and can have an immediate effect.