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Adult daughter (27) home with severe panic/anxiety disorder

Posted by elliegn @elliegn, Mar 25 5:24pm

I feel like I'm drowning. My daughter had to move back home with severe anxiety/panic and (possibly related?) GI issues (cyclical vomiting). Almost a year now and not any better. She's not working and has maybe one good week a month.

She has a med management psychiatrist/PA, a counsellor and a primary care doc. She's on meds. I don't know what else to do.

Should I be pushing her more? When I do- then the vomiting starts.

How do I manage this? Any advice appreciated.

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elliegn | @elliegn | Mar 27 9:23am
In reply to @diverdown1 "I am of the belief that a lot of mental health issues come from complex trauma...." + (show)
Profile picture for diverdown1 @diverdown1

I am of the belief that a lot of mental health issues come from complex trauma. Not PTSD, but complex trauma. This can be emotional, physical, psychological or any kind of abuse that has layered throughout the years. I do not know the history of your daughter, but I have been working with a trauma therapist for over 6 years now. My body is stuck in fight/flight and I get activated even when there is no obvious "threat." If physical illness has been ruled out, maybe ask if she is willing to see a therapist, specifically one that is trauma informed. Does she like to read? Do you? There is a book called, "The Body Keeps the Score," written by Bessel van der Kolk. I recommend this book. Just a thought. I hope the best for both of you. I understand severe anxiety and can empathize.

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@diverdown1 Thank you- she does have a therapist, and she is working with that book.

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ancl123 | @ancl123 | Mar 28 6:58am

As a mom who has anxiety this hurts my heart. What meds is she on?

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ashleyharris728 | @ashleyharris728 | Mar 29 8:10am

@elliegn so sorry to hear your daughter is suffering so much. I’m glad she has a wonderful mom to lean on during this rough patch.
I’m sure she is getting recommendations from her therapist but I wonder if she has tried progressive muscle relaxation. This helped me so much with my anxiety-related nausea. I’m not against medications, but it’s a relatively easy skill to practice/learn, can be used almost anywhere, and there are basically no side effects or risks! It may take some concerted practice but I used to walk around with a barf bag, and now it’s a couple times a year at most. I do a lot of other things as well, but that particular intervention worked so well to help me learn to control the vomiting. However I am not sure if her vomiting issues are psychiatric in nature or part of a GI issue.
Best of luck to you both.

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graceward | @graceward | Mar 29 8:18am

I had anxiety about employment and career change and vomited white foam for over a year. I went to an alternative practitioner who along with massage and cupping set me on a diet for a week of millet to calm down my gut. For 7 days I cooked millet for breakfast, lunch and dinner, adding bullion after the first 3 days, then chicken after the 4th and fish if desired on the 6th and 7th. It stopped the vomiting. The ritual of shopping and cooking for the week also distracted me from being anxious. Shortly after, I got a less stressful job as a substitute teacher and I’m still doing it 8 years later. My anxiety subsided with the less stressful job.

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sallyo420 | @sallyo420 | Apr 4 3:27pm

It sounds like some in house clinic care would be helpful.

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