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Hi

NAS72025

Hi I’m very new here but I am desperately seeking advice. My daughter is now 18 and was only diagnosed last summer. I have always been able to manage her behaviours and sensory stuff but now  I feel that the once challenging behaviour we used to face has been replaced by sadness and anxiety and I’m really struggling to help her. Her GP has prescribed medication for anxiety but it doesn’t seem to be working. I have tried to ring them this morning to speak about this again but there are now no appointments available. She has been referred to mental health services but the waiting list is huge. When we received her diagnosis there was information on support in our local area but it was more aimed at children and I feel like it was just a case of yes your daughter is autistic now get on with it. She has had a massive meltdown this morning and although she seems ok now I have been frantically googling autism support in my area and to be honest I don’t even know what I’m looking for. I just wanted to know if anyone could point me in the right direction like where do I start to get some kind of support for her and also my other children as I fear they may be feeling it too x

  • Hello

    My 17 year-old daughter was diagnosed with ASD at Christmas. Her anxiety is huge and it often leads to her feeling depressed. she has had many 'meltdowns', especially when trying to cope with change and before her diagnosis was also self-harming due to frustration. We are now two weeks into her starting on medication. This was prescribed by a psychiatrist as opposed to her GP but maybe this is because she isn't 18. What this does mean is that she will be seen by him at regularly intervals to monitor the effects of the medication. Your daughter should be monitored by her GP. My daughter's anxiety is getting worse but I know that it can take a long time to find the right medication and right dose so we are persisting. I don't think that we will see any benefits for at least six weeks. Ironically anxiety is one of the initial side-effects of the medication that she is on for anxiety. She was on a long waiting list for this appointment and is yet to start NHS counselling but it looks as if she might be reaching the top after a six month wait. It states quite clearly on the medication that if it is being used by someone under 18 they should be receiving counselling alongside the medication. The NHS are not following these guidelines and I keep reminding them of this fact. I had also been looking at the possibility of private counselling as the NHS is so overloaded and slow but was told that i could not use a private counsellor alongside a NHS psychiatrist? I seriously question this but was told that all the risk needed to be held by the NHS mental health services (called EWMHS where we live). I was using this website to search for counsellors, also British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy website and The Girl with the Curly Hair website. I have also got myself a counsellor as I needed support to support my daughter. 

    I send you lots of strength. Good luck.

    Best wishes

    F

  • Hi, I've found meditation has really helped my anxiety, i also learnt to understand its just feeling. I had some private counselling as well (cost about £40 ph). Good luck