Anxiety disorder in 11yr old

[Froody]

I have a question about my 11yr old son. He has dx of ADHD combined type (mild), and generalized anxiety disorder which seems pretty bad. He has been refusing to go to soccer (states too many people), shopping and trying to refuse to go to school. He currently see's a psychiatrist. His treatment plan was to have us get our son to school everyday, where he sat in the office and did his work. The school seemed at a total loss of what to do with him. He complained of headaches and stomachaches, cried every morning, shouted at us to not make him go, and threw up multiple times during the day. The psychiatrist  was able to get our son into a partial hospitalization/school program after a few weeks. He is on medication, and seems a little better. Our rule is on weekends or days that school is closed, he must go into public (shopping, dinner, the park). This has improved, he might put up a fight at first, but is able to handle it with only a little anxiety. School is still the big trigger- he has gotten so defiant about not going, and still cries and has anxiety attacks. My question is...when do you get to the point of online homeschooling. I know he needs to face his fears, and learn to conquer them, but it seems like forcing him to go to school (even the partial hospitalization school) for all day is beginning to reinforce the anxiety, not lessen it. I mentioned this at a meeting with the school psychologist and he was very against it. We would continue intensive outpatient therapy, and he would have to go out everyday to learn how to handle things, then hopefully reintegrate back into school. Any help would be appreciated.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

I would not guide you in the direction of avoiding school by relying on home schooling. It is clear that in almost all instances of anxiety the most prudent approach is to confront the anxiety-provoking situations, not avoid them. If you pull back, do it around some of the weekend socializing, when more of an option is available. In other words, build in opprtunities for him to say 'No' to some occasions, even while he is made to engage in other experiences.

[samchic04]

If he becomes that anxious about being around other people or outside the house, I would talk to the doctor about possible agoraphobia. Homeschooling is good to a point, and they do have programs where they can do sports and other things at a real school, you would have to look into it in your area. Let your son know he is not alone in his fears, maybe try to find a support group with other kids his age, or start one, so they can get together and be social with kids who share the same fears. Also, help him find a hobby tgat relaxes him-doing model cars or airplanes, whatever he likes. It will help take his mind off things, if only for a little while.