Another

The trouble with labels is that when they're given, they're there.  And when they're needed, they're still there, but the stigma attached is often such that people don't truly believe they're needed.  And then, to top it off, when the label is legitimately given and the child is treated accordingly and this treatment includes meds, then the parent of the child is looked down upon as not parenting, but medicating their child so they don't have to.  But yet, if this is legitimately the case, the parent is parenting.  Now, I will admit that there are bad parents who, combined with bad doctors, medicate their children so they don't have to deal with the realities of being a parent.  But for many of us, this is not the case.  But the stigma attached to the labels of ADHD, ADD, ODD and others has been given because of those bad parents and bad doctors.

This little rant has been brought about because at Hassaan's last doctor's appointment the anxiety issue was discussed.  It is readily apparent to those of us that have to transition him out of our house.  Every day, every time, the words "it's time to go" bring about a meltdown.  Once he gets to where he's going, one of two things happens.  If it's somewhere where he knows everyone or is one on one with a grown up, he's FINE.  Like it never happened.  However, if he's going into a situation where there is not a lot of people and he's in them and doesn't know a lot of them, he shuts down.  It's like he's the only one in the room. He won't talk to me, his father or his brother.  Acknowledgement is nil.

Because of the extreme reactions to having to leave the house, his doctor wants him in counselling.  And I completely agree.  I do not want him on more meds.  That is the last thing I want and he needs.  But have you tried finding counseling here?  It's next to impossible unless you have either really good benefits or are rich.  But the doctor is concerned that if it is not taken care of and treated, Hassaan will end up to some degree of agoraphobia.

And I can see what he's saying, since even getting the child to go outside and play is nearly impossibly some days.