Adolescent Mental Health

LegacyUser

Hi,

I don't want to go into too much detail but I just need a bit of advice please.

Younger brother (12) has been diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder & is suffering panic attacks. It's an on-going issue due to a number of events, but primarily, bereavement. The course of action at the moment (seeing someone through school, has been to his G.P., prescribed medication etc) isn't working so we're hoping to bring him to a private counsellor / psychologist / psychotherapist.

Herein lies the problem - we're not sure which one is best for him and his needs. It's quite urgent at this point, hence the desire to go private. It seems quite difficult to get information on where to find someone who delas with children / adolescents online. Is there anyone in the Cork area who would have experience with this? Names of professionals would be appreciated. The feedback so far has been that professionals don't generally deal with children of a certain age on a one-to-one basis, which is something that we really feel he needs at this point. We have called Barnardos but they are not available to speak to until Monday. Even then, I'm not sure that they would be willing to take his case on or even if they do one-to-one counselling. Does anyone have experience of working with them?

Any advice is welcome and thanks in advance.

LegacyUser

Hi OP,

Sorry to hear of your younger brother going through so much emotional pain, I have experienced what he is going through but in my 20's so it must be terrifying for him.

I would recommend a psychotherapist out of the three suggestions, to me they have the best qualifications and they are monitored by their mentors, but it is important to get someone recommended and also good with children.

I cannot give you any links to places in cork, all i know down there is a place called bessbora house in blackrock, it is a mental health support centre, and i would suggest going to your local health centre or GP and ask for advice of the best places and best psychotherapist for your brother, I really feel that ireland has not got this area supported enough, like there are a lot of resources for addictions and centers for rehab but like your little bro there is less support. My BF's younger brother was very sick mentally over the last 10 years and he has recently made great progress with a psychotherapist and he has just come off his medication, We are so proud of him, and it was also very important that the whole family learned how to understand depression so they can be supportive too, our brother felt more at ease when the environment became more at ease too.

I really wish your brother well and pray that the right support comes to him and your famly, all the best xx

thefeatheredcat

You could ask for references through the Psychiatric Unit in UCC Hospital. If you have health insurance they may have references to services or further information on their website.

It's worth asking around GPs who would do referrals - I can only think of 1 GP in Cork based in Silverdale/Blackrock/Mahon area. Even a mental health organisation such as GROW (grow.ie) may have information.

Have you tried in your local community or even some of the local churches? They'd often have notice board services if you're not comfortable going into detail about it and would be familiar with bereavement. They may have some suggestions

jellyboy

My understanding is that you need a referral from your gp...Camhs provide alot of what you speak about...

As he is so young ,you might need to go the route of play thearpy...

As for names,engage with gp...and the net...not much help but its a litte bit...

skooterblue

jellyboy wrote: »

As he is so young ,you might need to go the route of play thearpy...

The Play therapy run a course in UCC as a Higher Diploma, on a part-time basis. I think. I know a lady working as a Child protection officer for the HSE. She may be of help. she has her primary degree in social work and is not a licensed therapist of any kind. She may be of help. she has done this course.

CDfm

Sorry but isnt this refusal to go to school issues but by another name. I am surprised to see it here and thought it would be more at home in parenting issues.

You havent said much about what you think has brought it on.

My own view is that this is being dealt with by your GP and the school and if you feel that his progress is not adequete then you should be going back to your GP in first instance to see what can be done.

The next issue is how is it affecting his academic progress as 12 is an important age as he will be going into secondary school? Is there someone helping him keep up academically?

You should not confuse his progress with unrealistic expectations for treatment?

It might help if you discussed with your GP etc the likely outcomes here and what your expectations are.

skooterblue

CDfm wrote: »

You should not confuse his progress with unrealistic expectations for treatment?

It might help if you discussed with your GP etc the likely outcomes here and what your expectations are.

Medication takes time to kick in between two weeks to a month before you see results. its not like neurofen plus with 5 minute result, Be Patient and be open minded about therapys

CDfm

it may be that academically the school has a remedial teacher who deals with kids with special needs who might be able to make enquiries.


I reread your post OP and what cant wait till Monday??????????

Mr Benevolent

I would personally recommend against a psychotherapist. I qualified as one and frankly they haven't much of a clue it's mostly guesswork and asking the same questions over and over. Not to be recommended if you want to help him. Instead a counsellor or psychologist who practices cognitive behavioural therapy would be best.

LegacyUser

OP here.

Thanks all for the replies, particularly Afriendly - not an easy thing to share. I've actually printed the replies out.

CDfm wrote: »

it may be that academically the school has a remedial teacher who deals with kids with special needs who might be able to make enquiries.

I reread your post OP and what cant wait till Monday??????????

CD FM, thanks for taking the time to reply. As I said in my original post, I am not going into too much detail. The urgency came from him having a huge panic attack onFriday and the refusal of certain people dealing with him to recommend someone for him to privately go and speak to. We all feel (including his school btw) that he urgently needs to speak to someone privately now.

Also, the school issue is not a parenting one. I'm not sure if you or anyone belonging to you has suffered any mental illness, but in my experience, rationality goes out the window. What do you do when someone wants to go to school or wants to leave the house, but physically cannot. This goes beyond a school issue and in fact, there are a number of other factors involved that I have not mentioned - for a reason. That reason would be that I am not looking for feedback on how to deal with him from a family point of view because we have plenty of other people in "real life" giving advice and supporting. My intention with this post was to get advice on places that are good for dealing with kids in Cork. Now, I think that has been answered and I'd ask a mod to lock this thread, lest it fall into a debate about how to deal with him from a family point of view.

thank again for all of your comments though. They genuinely are appreciated.