Sophie has panic attacks

[Deleted User]

My 12 year old ward Sophie has been suffering panic attacks, and it was only this afternoon since returning home earlier than intended did I find her sat on the floor with her back against her bedroom wall, crying and shaking. Immediately I helped calm her down, calling Ines and her daughter to come and help. Later after Sophie had calmed, only then did she tell me of having these horrible panic attacks for a long time.

I was calm with Sophie, helping her breathing using the coping method I've always used. She was clingy of course, and I held onto her, rubbing her back as she wept into me. So overcome I was crying myself. My dearest youngster is a brave little soul, buyt when she suffers, then I suffer, too.

Tomorrow as soon as our bed and breakfast gguests have gone out, Ines and I are taking Sophie to see a pediatric therapist, someone Ines knows who specialises in helping young people. As soon as some therapy sessions have passed, I will return to give news on Sophie's progress. I never even guessed that she had had panic attacks, not even the slightest hint. It makes me feel inadequate, for I always thought I knew much about our lively youngster.  Seems they have secret lives, too. But I said never to hold back from telling me things I need to know, and that I would never scold her in any way. Just devoting her lots of love because she is everything to me. Still, it was a terrible shock finding Sophie so distraught.

[Deleted User]

Sophie said she didn't get on with her pediatric counsellor and asked me to take care of her instead, pleased that the tools the counsellor had given were almost exactly the same as the tools I used to help her with, and used them also when my ex was around. I was refunded for the remaining sessions. I thought that was very good of the lady.

Well, in the last three days since my first post, Sophie has been managing her panic attacks impressively. For example, not having a panic attack every day like she used to, and my little darling has been most happy spending more time, not only with Ines and me, but also her best friend. Yesterday they went spider crab hunting, taking  a long pole with a hook on the end to expertly extract the crabs from under the seaweed in our rocky pools, and triumphantly bringing back a bucket of them! What fun they had! A different Sophie altogether. I felt so proud of her. 

Sophie told me how her twin brother, now gone, used to bring her down in bullying her, and that last panic attack she had 3 days ago was when she thought he was returning. No way! There is no way he is ever returning as my other family in England are looking after him. Hopefully sorting out the nasty little sod.

Sophie is singing out in the kitchen. Her happiness is infectuous. Makes me happy too, and I wanted to share this with you reading this.

Former Member

Hey Floxy, 

This sounds incredible! It's such a happy thing to hear and I'm glad that we were able to support you while... well, while you supported someone else! It's always so nice to see someone uplifted!

Have a good evening!

-Seven

[Deleted User]

Seven said:

Hey Floxy, 

This sounds incredible! It's such a happy thing to hear and I'm glad that we were able to support you while... well, while you supported someone else! It's always so nice to see someone uplifted!

Have a good evening!

-Seven

Your response means such a lot to me, and yes, I have received much support here and not just my family.

Thank you.