9 year old with a lot going on

[Sammij25]

Hi,

I'm new to the forums on here. We have a 9 year old son. Diagnosed HFA, GAD  and looking into OCD and PTSD.

AT the beginning of last year his world was changed at school completely. He had a really bad time couldn't cope and long story short we ended up having to remove him from school and school him via distance education.

After finishing the year really well we decided this year we would homeschool but start to reintergrate him into mainstream schooling.

He is struggling big time often only going for an hour in the morning and when we get home hiding in his room for an hour or 2 before he will come and finish the rest of the days work at home.

He hates not finishing his work and hates getting anything wrong.

Any sight of the old schools uniform or a staff member sends him into a panic.

This whole situation breaks my heart because he is such a keen learner.

I am feeling like we are the only ones with a son like this.
Can anyone relate?
If so what did you do to help your child? 
We have seen Psychologist, OT, Paediatrician, Speechy, psychiatrist all wanting to palm us off one therapist to the next.
He was on an anti depressant for a short time but was taken off it because of him threatening ot hurt himself and also running away from home.

Thanks for reading

[white knight]

Hi Sammij25, welcome to beyond Blue forums

Sorry its been a while to a reply here. We are suffers ourselves and your topic isnt one many of us would have experience in.

Your sons panic when seeing a familiar school uniform or staff member indicates big issue with anxiety or similar. Professionals "palming off" from them to another could mean they are not confident of treating him themselves. This isnt a bad thing. Better to find one that can treat him than one that think they are up to the challenge.

You are doing a good job with your son. It does seem, as a guess, that his problems might be over the long term and better to prepare yourself for that likelihood. With mental illness, it is a case of best possible management rather than cure. He is an individual and similar stories will be hard to find so I believe comparison will not be a good idea. It doesnt mean you cant track down other parents that have a child with a few similarities but always be mindful of your sons uniqueness and weigh up the advice.

Finally bare in mind very often mental illnesses cross over in that he might even have some ADHD there and lack of focus could be accounted for there. I'm no professional, just speaking from experience as I had traces of ADHD when young and later on was told it was mania but lack of focus was a large part of my symptoms and that fitte din with ADHD if you get my explaination.

Take care. It seems you are a really good parent.