<p>My daughter is supposed to be going off to school for welcome week in 4 days. For the past 2 weeks she has been suffering with anxiety so severe that we started her on Prozac, which unfortunately has not yet kicked in.</p>
<p>She sees a therapist and has all the safety nets in place for when she starts school. We have visited the counselor at the school already so she will know where to go for help and will already be familiar with those there that can be of assistance. We live about an hour and a half a way so her coming home on weekends and seeing her therapist at home will not be a problem.</p>
<p>I have told her to take it one day at a time -- You cannot worry about what will be happening on Thursday until you get through today. I have told her that with the Prozac each day is better than the day before and that before you know it what is happening now will be a memory. No matter how much I continue to assure her that all college freshman are scared and nervous she that she is the only one who feels the way she does. No matter how much I assure her that the Prozac will indeed work, she continues to believe that it will not help her. Bottom line -- no matter what I say, she feels she is different.</p>
<p>I believe that once she goes to school and has a good experience she will feel much better, but I am torn over packing her up and leaving her there. I have told her to search out other's who look just as scared and overwhelmed as she is -- someone else who looks like they could use a friend at this time. I told her she doesn't have to participate in all the welcome week activities -- pick the ones you might feel comfortable with and walk away from the ones that scare you. </p>
<p>Can anyone please help by sharing your experiences with your own college freshman and how they got over such intense anxiety. Looking for success stories!!!</p>
<p>I feel for you. It is not uncommon for kids to feel this way. I remember it very well with my son(he just graduated from college, so it will happen). Be patient. This is a big transition and like all transitions, how you handle is how they will handle it. My son was coming home a great deal that first year, and I let him. Has she been able to link up with her roommate thru FB. That seems to help. I wish I could tell you that it will be fine, but remember to be calm and reassuring to them. Everyone has great expectations that this is going to be the most wonderful time of your life, but in reality for some, it just doesn’t start so smoothly.</p>
<p>I can’t comment exactly on your situation but I was curious as to the choice of Prozac vs Zoloft or celexa. I think Prozac is more of an energizing SSRI while the others have more of a calming effect. </p>
<p>Has her doc suggested adding a benzo like Xanax or something for situational anxiety until the other drug kicks in?</p>
<p>How long has she had anxiety? You know her best, if this is something she has struggled with for years you may know better what to do than if this came up out of nowhere two weeks ago. </p>
<p>How had she handled other gig changes in the past?</p>
<p>I suspect most college freshmen have some level of angst about college. I remember laying in bed my first night at college wondering why did I leave home and everything familar to go somewhere I didn’t know and no one knew me. Each day and night got better. As she is only going an hour and a half from home does she know anyone else who is going to her school? It will help to see a familar face. All colleges have an activity fair. Encourage her to go and seek out at least 3 activities/clubs she might be interested in. Find some students in her classes who might want to form a study group. Just continue to encourage her as she makes this transition in her life. Best to both of you.</p>
<p>Paula, I agree that all Freshman suffer from “the jitters” but only you and her therapist know whether you are seeing a bit of an extreme case of anxiety mixed with excitement, or someone manifesting the signs that she is not emotionally ready to leave home.</p>
<p>My kids each showed their nervousness in different ways- some got moody, some were especially obnoxious to us the few weeks before leaving, etc. but none of them showed anxiety so extreme that I thought they needed meds. (And I’m a big believer in meds.)</p>
<p>So hugs to you. This can’t be easy, but if you are observing something much bigger than the jitters then take your own advice and take each day at a time…</p>
<p>I wonder if you scheduled a few extra visits to school to take her out for brunch or dinner in the first few weeks if it would help her transition to her new environment. I worry about a student coming home for the weekend too much in the beginning and missing out on those first few weeks of bonding.</p>
<p>When you move her into her dorm, have a quiet word with the RAs, just to let them know that she’s really nervous. They are used to this and will make an extra effort to keep an eye on her and reach out.</p>
<p>Have been in a very similar situation with own family and friend’s child as well. Is this the college DD has wanted to go to since the junior/senior application phase? Does she have an friends or people from your area she knows who are either there or entering as freshman. If the counselor at school already has a “heads up”, can she also schedule times now to meet with her weekly-especially during the first month or two. If you know her advisor, it might be helpful to sound them out about providing some support. That worked well for one of our 2 the first year and an additional time while our S/d was traveling abroad. We also utilized some mini-phone sessions on a long/distance basis with therapist when needed. Having said all of this, one of the best things is for her to find a friend or two to make a connection with, since there is no replacement for someone to talk to /be with when anxious. Siliconvalleymom offers excellent advice about making some additional trips to visit. My own personal experience in this situation, for the parents to make the visit to school, instead of the student coming home. It preserves some of the normal rhythm of school being a second home, and she doesn’t spend lonely time driving back to campus. Feel free to PM if you want anh additional personal experience/advice. Good luck and hugs to you and your daughter.</p>