Hi,
I am new here. I have a 15 year old son Max who has had anxiety since he was in year 8. Probably earlier, only we didn't notice it then.
Max began school refusing at the beginning of year 8, he has always been quite a popular and sporty kid, but the transition to high school seemed to unsettle him. What began as a few days off here and there grew to many days, weeks, months, till we couldn't get him out of the car.
His anxiety around school was so bad that he attempted suicide.
He was admitted to an inpatient adolescent psych unit and from there began medication and therapy.
We tried the public system but it was not very helpful. We tried moving schools, but it did not work.
I sought out a private psychologist who has been quite helpful. Max has commenced medication, which has been good but not really good enough.
Max now attends a private non-mainstream school. However hates it as there are a lot of kids there on the spectrum who are loud and disruptive to the class which causes max's anxiety to heighten.
(He understands that they cant help it but he just doesn't fit in there).
There just aren't many options for kids such as Max who want to complete VCE. All the schools are huge or really $$$
Currently he spends most of his time in his room, barely interacts with the family, will not go to any family outings or parties.
I feel he is just existing. I am burnt out. I wish there was a foster program or a boarding school for kids like Max as I just feel like I am getting no where.
I just needed to vent.
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