Hello All, Wanted to send an update on my long ago thread added below:
My daughter ending up dropping out of college, retrying the next year and dropping out again. She had issues with her gut which she could not overcome and every doctor wanted her to take SSRI drugs - which she would not do. She told everyone that the root cause was in her gut and not her head.
While we searched for an answer she took a job as a worker at local food to table organic farm. She enjoyed the work and came home tired and satisfied from working outdoors with animals and learning about farming. She read everything she could about gut issues and nutrition and took on a healthy diet high in protein and low in grains which helped her gut pain somewhat. She learned that many believe gut issues are the root of anxiety problems.
She also added to the physical farm work by joining a Crossfit club and enjoyed it so much that she ended up teaching at her local Box (Crossfit term for gym). She visited a local exercise and nutritionist who specialized in nutrition for disease control who helped her fine tune her diet and also recommended an outstanding Gastro doc. This is the part of the story where the camera finally identifies the doctor so you know the long sought after cure is close.
This Gastro doc was different - he assured her that he would find the answer and put a plan on the table. The first step was designed to uncover the most common issues, and subsequent steps cover lesser issues. The doctor was reassuring and told my daughter to keep her chin up - it could take months to figure it out, but he would not stop until the culprit was found. Months into the investigation he ended up curing her problem with a parasite killer. Two days in on the medication and my daughter told me her guts felt good for the first time in three years.
Today she is over her gut issues and anxiety and never took an SSRI. She enrolled in an excellent nursing program at a local University and is three months away from graduating with a BSN - Bachelors of Science in Nursing with a perfect 4.0 GPA. She also works at a large local hospital as a CNA - Certified Nursing Assistant and plans on going on to earn her DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice. I told her that I was sorry that she had to detour from her original plan and for the pain she endured. She replied that the experience helped make her much stronger both mentally and physically and taught her about nutrition (which has also changed the way our family eats) and that in an odd way, she would not change it due to the positive outcomes.
My hope is that this message provides possible paths for others with similar issues. Thank you all who responded to my original posts - your kind words were comforting at a tough time.
Daughter dropping out due to anxiety
09-09-2012 at 6:44 pm edited September 2012 in Parents Forum
My daughter transferred to a dream college 500 miles from home for her final two years of a BSN in nursing.
She is a great child, very good grades, athletic, friendly, and kind. She has never displayed any odd or abnormal behavior. We were surprised when she called the first day at college and said she had abnormal worries. Since then, she calls in tears every day saying she can’t handle sitting in class and has to get up and leave half way through. My daughter cried very rarely before college, in fact, I only saw her cry 2x in high school. She says the anxiety started when she became embarrassed about loud stomach noises during class. The embarrassment grew and turned into fear and then full blown anxiety. She realizes that its crazy but she says it is now out of control. She says its so bad now that she needs to come home so we can help fix the problem. I asked her if she thought about hurting herself and she said she would never do such a thing.
I feel terrible for her and want to help. She does not smoke, drink, use drugs or caffeine. She does not like to take any medicine. She only took advil after a knee surgery and only for two days. I set up meetings with the school counselor who then suggested seeing the school psych. The problem is the first available appointment is in three weeks. I’ve called many docs and everyone is full for weeks. I’ve set up an appointment with the Gastro doc but again, 4 weeks out.
I’ve asked her to fight it by staying in class. Each fully attended class will help diminish the fear just a little, but each skipped class will let it grow. I told her to eat 3x a day and take a multi-vitamin. Told her to exercise for 90 minutes every day, to meditate and pray. Nothing seems to help and she is getting worse. She said she refuses to take any medications.
Life does not present many great opportunities so its important to take advantage of the few that you get. Getting into this top notch school is the first step toward her plan for a masters degree in nursing. I am afraid that she will regret leaving this school and the issue now will blow up into a larger one once she realizes what she gave up. I want her to work on getting rid of the anxiety while still attending school. She says its too bad now and wants to come home.
Has anyone else had this type of issue with their child? What did you do and what helped?
Thank you in advance for your help.
