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[quote=Anonymous]My oldest (now 14) started displaying signs of anxiety when was about 4.5. We did the usual thing of going to the pediatrician, meeting with a psychologist, etc.  There was a period of 9 months when he was in 3rd grade that he was on generic Prozac because his anxiety was controlling him.  The Prozac didn't eliminate the anxiety but brought it back down to where he could control it. The PP is right that the longer the anxiety is left untreated, the more it becomes ingrained and harder to address.

I would start by getting an appointment (or get on the waitlist) for an evaluation some place like the Keller Center or the Ross Center.  I have found that many child psychologists really don't understand childhood anxiety.  When my DS was not in an anxious state, he (seemingly) retained no knowledge of why he was so jacked up or what it felt like.  He could also list out all the techniques he'd been taught to calm himself and control the anxiety.  He was able to access none of those tools when in an anxious state which is why we went the medication route.  Younger kids can learn the techniques of CBT but often lack the maturity to utilize them when needed.  My DS would go from 0 to 100 on the anxious scale in the blink of an eye and once he was there, there was no reasoning with him.  It's horrible.  You also need to educate yourself on anxiety and what you should be doing when your DD is anxious.  Her feelings should be acknowledged but not reinforced. There are a lot of good resources out there that I'm sure others will recommend.

Our school psychologist has also been instrumental in helping our oldest and youngest with anxiety.  I know you're already working with yours and encourage you to keep that relationship.   It was especially important when I could see DS starting to spiral.  Sometimes general ed teachers aren't the most receptive/knowledgeable about this (I had one tell me all pubescent boys are anxious, it's the hormones).  Interrupting the cycle before it starts is important as is getting your kid to recognize when she's spiraling.  Believe you me, it doesn't get easier as they get older.  DS (my 14 yo), is more emotionally aware but puberty has also made his emotions more volatile and there are more situations for  him to react to than when he was younger (he used to do the same freak out about vaccinations!).  HTH

http://www.inova.org/healthcare-services/inova-kellar-center/index.jsp 
http://www.rosscenter.com/[/quote]

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