Therapy for Kids

[Mehita]

We're thinking of having DS see a therapist for anxiety. Has anyone done this? How does it work and did it help? How much are parents part of the process?

He has Crohn's but also hinted today that he purposely goes to the bathroom to avoid doing things he doesn't want to. He didn't use the word anxiety, but that's what popped into my head. He's been like this all his life.

The problem is that anxiety stomach aches, thus far, have been included in the daily stomach ache/bathroom count when talking with the GI because I thought they were all Crohn's related... until now. I don't want to be treating anxiety with Crohn's meds.

Any similar experiences?

 

[Jennifer]

It may be a good idea for him to try therapy (for me therapy didn't do any harm) to at least address the issues he's been dealing with and so he can hopefully avoid using the bathroom as a hiding place from something he doesn't want to do and learn other/better coping methods.

In high school and in college I would go into the bathroom to avoid doing something I didn't want to do, especially a pop debate we had to give in front of the whole class by ourselves with no prep material. I waited to use the bathroom though until I saw someone else do it first to see how hard it was and I was prepared to stay in the bathroom until class had ended and say it was because of my Crohn's to my professor. Yet I never counted these bathroom visits when speaking with my GI so I'm glad that you found out. The "stomach ache" may not be an ache at all either so hopefully therapy will get to the heart of the issue.

I didn't seek therapy for anxiety until I was in grad school and it was extremely helpful and should have done it a long time ago. Back when I was first diagnosed at 9 I was forced to go to therapy to deal with my diagnosis better. During the sessions it was just the therapist and I and my parents only knew what happened based off of what I told them. What we also did though was have family therapy once a week as well so my parents could ask questions and the therapist would help me give them a better response. If you do choose to get therapy sessions for your son it would be a good idea to also have family therapy or sessions with just you and your son as well. This way your son gets the attention he needs in his private sessions and you get to have a little more understanding of what's been going on when you join him in session with the therapist (plus you get to know for sure if they are a good therapist or not, they can sometimes be hit or miss).

 

[my little penguin]

You want to look at a developmental ped .
They deal with things that he may be avoiding socially
As well as many other issues .
Even if you just have the eval well worth it IMO .
If you go therapy route make sure the therapist has experience with kids with medical issues at least . Some gi's have a therapy team they use as part of the Ibd clinic.

Good luck

 

[Maya142]

My daughter's GI clinic has therapists and my daughter sees one (after countless arguments about it) and I believe it really has helped her. She's also an anxious person, and has been through a lot in the last year and has had trouble falling asleep recently. She's been seeing one for a few months now and is sleeping better and (grudgingly) admits that she feels better.

 

[Tesscorm]

My daughter does not have crohns but during elementary and high schools, she would become very anxious and overwhelmed with school (end of year assignments, exams, etc.). Finally, in grade 12, she asked to see someone who could help her learn to control the anxiety (felt guilty that I hadn't suggested it and she had to ask! ). It was the best thing for her!! She had a number of sessions for approx. 6 months, I don't know what the doctor said to her (as she was 17, I only spoke with the doctor once, other than that, apptmts were between her and the doctor) but, she went into university, dealt with 1st year adjustment, tackled some tough courses and NEVER again had the anxiety she'd had through high school (and she's now going into 3rd year)! :thumright:

 

[Twiggy930]

My son has seen a therapist and it was mildly helpful. Look for one with experience in kids with chronic illness.

 

[vtfamily]

Can't hurt, these kids are dealing with a lot. I chuckled when I read your post. My son spends a long time in the bathroom too...for the same reason, to avoid...or hide...or, I don't know, find a quiet place to be alone.

We did take him to a counselor last year. Counselor was impressed with the support system we've created and how well adjusted (almost too well adjusted) Gus is with his disease. Still, he felt that it is a good idea for Gus to touch base with a counselor a couple of times a year...as part of his extended support system.

 

[ChampsMom]

My son has been seeing a therapist since shortly after being diagnosed (which also coincided with my divorce) and it was been WONDERFUL for him! She has been amazing on many different fronts.

With his meds... anxieties.... sharing information with others about his illness... how although he was the one diagnosed it changed all of our lives... why Mom worries...

You name it... she's touched on it. Alex is really a well rounded kid, comfortable in his own skin and VERY open about his disease, which I think is very healthy for him.

I say go for it!

 

[DustyKat]

I don't think it can ever be stressed enough the high levels of depression and anxiety that exists with those living with a diagnosis of IBD.

This is an excellent article:
http://www.hindawi.com/journals/grp/2012/106502/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21537359

http://www.practicalgastro.com/pdf/July10/GraffArticleRev.pdf

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/store/10.1002/ibd.21346/asset/21346_ftp.pdf;jsessionid=81BF69BB0EA198A14455991BEDC879F1.d02t02?v=1&t=hkf8dk0r&cea72fb4

http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/86658332/similar-risk-depression-anxiety-following-surgery-hospitalization-crohns-disease-ulcerative-colitis

I am unable to find the transcript of a radio interview I heard a few months ago regarding Depression and Anxiety in IBD sufferer's in Australia but I do recall incidence figures of 20-25%.

Sarah had significant behavioural issues in her last year that I believe related directly to her Crohn's. I did have her see the school counsellor and whilst she denied it was of any use to her I saw a definite change for the better in her and it would be too coincidental to say it wasn't largely due to her being seen. I have always felt that if nothing else having someone to talk to or listen to her that was completely independent of any other aspect of her life and was neutral and supportive could do nothing but good.

Dusty. xxx

 

[Sudsy]

I have two dd's with Crohn's and both have seen a psychologist from the Medical Coping Clinic at the local Children's Hospital. It has been a help for them in dealing with the medical aspects of Crohn's that they find challenging (blood draws and IV's, mostly) as well as general anxiety and anger issues that have been compounded by their diagnoses.

Good luck!

 

[Mehita]

DS had his first appt today with the psychologist and the intern. Since they are in the same clinic as our GI, all they really do is work with kids who have chronic illnesses and related issues. More serious disorders are sent to another clinic. Sounds like a perfect fit to me.

DS don't say too much, at least not while I was in the room. He's going to be seeing the intern again in two weeks. This may sound petty, but my only concern is that the intern was very young, very pretty and looks just like the girls walking around his middle school... and as a general rule, he doesn't talk to girls much, let alone pretty ones. His ears were red the whole time. I almost felt bad for him.

Really, how much is a 13 year old boy going to spill to someone like that? Especially about poop, vomiting and farting? The psych, who is male, said sometimes the oddest combinations click, so we'll see how the next appt goes and then decide if it's a match. I hope she studies up on Star Trek, Clash of Clans, and fart jokes!