My son wasn’t always anxious. In fact, I can’t recall him being particularly worried or fearful during his younger years. While “sensitive” might have been a fitting description, anxiety seemed to slide in quietly, almost unnoticed at first.
Now at 17, it has been a few years since we started recognizing his irrational fears for what they truly were—signs of an anxiety disorder. It’s been less than a year since we identified the specific condition, and just a few months since it spiraled out of control.
Looking back, I often wonder why we didn’t see it coming sooner. We were oblivious to the severity of his anxiety and how quickly it could become overwhelming. Upon reflection, there were clear indicators that his anxiety was taking hold, but we failed to connect the dots.
Our family has always enjoyed traveling—just a few years ago, we spent a year exploring the country as nomads. My son thrived during those adventures. However, during a two-week road trip last summer through some beautiful states, it was clear that his anxiety was creeping in. Fast forward six months, and he found the thought of traveling more than a couple of hours from home utterly impossible. Shortly thereafter, he struggled just to attend school or even make a simple grocery run. The idea of being away from his room for too long often sent him into a panic.
It was heartbreaking to watch him descend into this pit of fear, and we felt utterly helpless. Initially, we sought help from a counselor when his anxiety began to interfere with his daily life, but that didn’t yield much progress. We tried another therapist experienced with anxiety, but the results were still disappointing.
In our desperation, I started to analyze the specific triggers of his anxiety. He would meticulously check food expiration dates, constantly seek reassurance about proper food handling, and panic if he heard someone mention being sick. It dawned on me to ask, “Is your anxiety mostly about the fear of throwing up?” After some thought, he admitted that indeed it was. Contrary to our belief that he was dealing with generalized anxiety, he had a targeted phobia that required a different approach. His previous counselors had overlooked this because he was so terrified of even saying the word for his fear.
Regrettably, I wish we had figured this out sooner. Finding a therapist in our small town with experience in treating this specific phobia proved challenging. Countless calls yielded no results. The information we found online about emetophobia suggested it was treatable with the right therapy, and we were ready to drive five hours to the city for a two-month stay if necessary. Thankfully, we eventually found a local counselor who had experience addressing this issue.
The relief I felt when that counselor assured me she could help my son was indescribable. Watching your child suffer while feeling powerless is one of the most difficult experiences a parent can face.
I often wonder if seeking help sooner could have prevented the spiral that led my son to become nearly agoraphobic. If we had tackled his fears at an earlier stage, perhaps we could have saved him months—even years—of struggle.
The silver lining is that he is now nearing the halfway mark of his therapy, and the improvements are remarkable. We’re beginning to see our curious, vibrant son return to us. There’s a glimmer of hope on the horizon, and I might just have to express my gratitude to his counselor in a grand way.
If your child is showing signs of anxiety, depression, phobias, OCD, or any other mental health issues, don’t wait to seek help. The longer you delay, the worse it can get. Just because a child seems to manage most days doesn’t mean they will continue to do so. Adolescence can be particularly challenging, and as life becomes more complex, managing mental health can become increasingly difficult.
Remember, there’s no shame in seeking professional help. In fact, I wish more people would openly discuss their journeys in therapy, as it would help diminish the stigma surrounding mental health care. If the first therapist you try isn’t a good fit, keep searching. A compassionate and skilled therapist can significantly reduce your child’s suffering and may even save their life.
For those looking into family planning, you might find useful resources at Home Insemination Kit and How Long Should You Try to Get Pregnant Before Seeking Help?, which provide excellent insights into navigating these challenges.
In summary, if your child exhibits signs of anxiety or any mental health struggles, take action quickly. The journey to recovery is possible, and with the right support, your child can reclaim their joy and vitality.