Success with Panic Attacks

Today my daughter, Amanda is a happy and well-adjusted 13-year-old. It's wonderful when things work out!

Just a year ago, her pediatrician had referred her to a psychiatrist because of panic attacks and sleep problems. Another child in school had threatened Amanda's life and the resulting fear and drama (it seemed for awhile that every parent, school administrator, and policeman in the system were somehow involved) triggered emotional and physical upheaval. Amanda has always disliked school, struggling in math related areas while excelling in language and reading. Puberty had struck and her boat was mildly rocking when the situation at school almost swamped it.

We started a long six months of weekly psychiatric visits and different drug routines. Initially depression was the diagnosis and beta-blockers, antidepressants, and a mild sleeping pill were prescribed. Things continued to deteriorate, and other drug routines were tried and discarded. Last September 2002, Attention Deficit Disorder and the drug Aderol were the direction indicated. Amanda was not a happy camper. She's a strong and determined child. Being told that there was something permanently wired wrong (that's the way the Dr. described it) and that she needed a lifetime medication were not pleasant things.

I agreed with the psychiatrist that there was something physically wrong with Amanda. Others seemed to believe that discipline was the solution, but what I observed was what I would call a loss of emotional control in situations. She'd hit a point in a discussion or argument where things seemed to simply take on a life of their own. It was almost a Jekyll and Hyde point, which she and I discussed and called "hitting the water slide." She and I talked about the whole situation a lot, and although she wanted to do things differently, she felt helpless and distraught. I knew she needed help, but didn't feel comfortable that Aderol was the right direction.

The day I picked up her first Aderol prescription, I had lunch with a dear friend, Becky. Of course, we always talk about our kids, and Amanda's situation came up. Becky strongly advised me to go and see Debra MacIntyre before proceeding.

Amanda's first meeting with Debra was encouraging. The discussion centered on current habits and improving overall health. She scheduled supplements and allergy testing. Debra explained to both of us the role that allergies sometimes play in Attention Deficit Disorder. We left hopeful.

Testing showed that Amanda had some major allergies. Among her "biggies" were animal dander (we had a dog and four cats) and paper/ink (all her schoolbooks). She and I laughed most of the way home about Amanda being allergic to school! Clearly her environment was overstressing her system almost everywhere she turned.

So as Debra advised, we undertook an immediate and aggressive treatment regime for allergies. We planned to get two treatments a week and watch for results in a couple of months. Were we ever in for a surprise!

Her first treatment was chicken. She blew it and all hell broke loose. I wasn't prepared for the backlash on that one. Everything was awful. Nothing could fix it. I had to DRAG her back to Debra for the follow-up. All the consequences in my bag were in play (no friends over, no allowance, extra kitchen duty.) Debra patiently explained that this was the normal result of a blown allergy treatment. Amanda was having none of it. Debra patiently asked if Amanda liked the way she felt right then or if she wanted to get better. Amanda was having none of it. I don't remember what finally resulted in retreatment, but it took a lot of patience and finesse on Debra's part to gain agreement to move forward.

The results of passing that first treatment were nothing short of miraculous. There was an immediate change in Amanda's overall attitude and outlook. It's like the cloud cover broke just enough for the sun to shine through. After just two more treatments, Amanda looked at me, smiled and said, "Mom, I just feel happy now all the time!" She has continued to progress.

We finished the basic treatments and are into the specific allergies. This weekend she's doing the print/paper biggie!

Amanda doesn't have to go to summer school this year. She hasn't had a panic attack in months. She sleeps like a teenager (every possible chance!). She's not on prescription drugs (or others). When she gets upset, it's unpleasant but not out of control. She's a happy kid. And I'm a happy Mom.

This family believes in Naturopathic healthcare and in Debra MacIntyre.

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