7 yr.old needs help

[pawna]

My 7 yr. old daughter has been having severe shooting pain in right temple. This happens just out of the blue. She also has been having stomache pains after she eats. Her disposition has also changed in the last month, has been having terrible melt downs. She gets so upset she scratches her whole body. I'm very worried about her and have had her at the doctor several times and they say there is nothing wrong.Please help!

[jdtm]

I belong to a support group for parents and teachers of children who suffer from anxiety.  Frankly, play therapy does not work very well.  In order for the child to learn how to "manage" his/her fears, the "therapy" needs to occur in the places the child fears the most - this usually is school, church, social places, etc.  However, the child psychologist might be able to help your daughter by suggesting other means of "intervention" as play dates, visits to McDonald's, the grocery store, joining a club as swimming or Girl Guide group, etc. It will depend upon the experience of this person - some in our group have had excellent results with a child psychologist, but only if that psychologist was experienced in anxiety disorders.  Is there a support group for parents in your area?  They do help so much (your psychologist might have this information).

Temper tantrums and meltdowns are common to those with anxiety - it's how the child deals with the frustration of not being able to "perform" as he/she knows that she is capable.  I'd be frustrated too.  But, I'm going to be honest here - if you do not see much improvement in six months, then contact a medical mental health specialist as a child psychiatrist or child neurologist for further treatment. If you feel that I might be able to help more, please contact me.  Wishing you the best ...

[pawna]

Thanks for the information.I have gotten her into a child psychologist, who uses play therapy. She's gone once so far but will go weekly. I'm hoping she can teach us both how to cope with the anxiety.

[jdtm]

I noticed from a previous posting that your daughter was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.  The symptoms above are probably resulting from her anxiety disorder.  What treatment did your daughter's doctor suggest?  An anxiety disorder involves the emotional, mental and physical attributes of the body and as thus, your daughter will not outgrow it nor will it go away.  Anxiety is genetic and not resultant from life experiences.  This is why "talking and counselling" usually does not work.  But, anxiety is very common and highly treatable.

The usual treatment consists of a multi-modal approach usually involving social intervention (as play dates or child-centered activities), therapy (as art or play) and if required, medication.  The best therapy for anxiety is CBT - cognitive behavioural therapy but most psychologists will not treat clients as young a seven years of age.  In reality the intervention and therapy are completed by the parents as the "doctors" give you ideas and plans on how to help your child.  If your family physician is unable to advise you, then ask for a referral to a medical mental health specialist with experience in anxiety issues as a child psychiatrist or a child neurologist.  By the way, the earlier the diagnosis/treatment; the better and faster the outcome.  And under the best of conditions, I suspect we're talking years and not weeks or months.

Our child suffers from severe anxiety and today is doing very well.  We started her treatment at six years of age and the psychiatrist was upset we waited so long.  I urge you to seek help as soon as possible.  All the best ....