Son has anxiety

[Lorie]

Got my 2 minute phone call today from my son. He has been at boot for 3 weeks now. It wasn't the kind of news I wanted to hear. He was upset, and has been experiencing panic attacks. I am very worried, he said they are going to try and get him on meds to help with the anxiety. Has any other moms had this happen? I am so confused? What happens if he can't stop the panic attacks? Any information would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

[CaptainFatso]

Has he been separated from his division?

[Lorie]

No, not that I'm aware of. He is having anxiety attacks. They are trying to help him get thru them. I thought by the third week, he would have gotten over the hump, so to speak.

[CaptainFatso]

IF they are trying to help them through, my guess is it that its not quite as bad as you may think it is as they think they can help him through it. IF that changes, you're probably going to want to develop the right perspective.

The bottom line is that US Navy cannot have a guy losing control of himself over what is relatively routine stress for the job.

Let me tell what I've seen...

One night a Gunners Mate on our ship stood on the table in our berthing compartment and started yanking his own hair out. We restrained him and called the corpsman (smaller ships don't have doctors) and carried him to sick bay. The corpsman had to strap him to a table and attempted to sedate him. Sick bay was near the mess decks. While the corpsman did the best he could, he was limited in the treatment he could provide. For about a week, we listened to his screams and sobs from sick bay as we ate chow.

We had a mission to perform. We were not leaving our station. Instead, we had to wait for help to arrive.

Now here's the thing. That Gunners Mate was a really neat guy and quite competent at what he did. He had a proud family at home that loved him dearly. Probably like you with your son. In fact, I think what you need to ask yourself, is which phone would you rather get. The one that says they discovered a condition that impacts his ability to serve, or the one that says your son is suffering and there's not a d@mn thing you can do about it.

My bet is that you would've preferred the former. Please keep this in mind as your son goes through this current trial.

[Denise-- Seabee Mom]

Third week he should be getting over them. Its not a good thing to have. Go over to the group

Ship 5 Moms(Formerly Ship 17)……. http://www.navyformoms.com/group/ship17moms

Maybe you can find someone in there that has had the same thing happen. As long as he stays in his div he is ok.

[Angie]

If he can't control them, he will be seperated from the USN.  Sorry to say if he can't handle bootcamp, he isn't going to be able to handle the rest of the USN.  Bootcamp is designed to weed out those that can't handle the stress.  Better to find out now and have him seperated, than be on a ship out in the middle of the ocean and have him freak out.

[CaptainFatso]

Yep.

I'm betting that there's a family in the state of Washington that dearly wishes that someone would've determined that Sgt Bales, was not longer fit to serve in combat.

I'm betting that they would trade gladly trade disappointment for the hell they must now endure.

[Lorie]

I don't want him there if he can't get the anxiety attacks under control. I too have had them, they run in our family, and are no fun!! He said they were going to take him to the doc to see if they can get them under control with meds. The whole thing is just making me a nervous wreck! If he gets medically discharged, will that affect his future? And how long before he is sent home? 

[Angie]

Sorry to say it isn't up to you what the USN does with him.  If the USN decides to seperate him, it could be 10-20 days before he gets sent home, keep in mind when they are seperated and sent him, they are sent home via the cheapest means to the goverment...which can be by bus.   As far as if he is sent home, odds are it won't be via medical discharge it will be admin seperated, unless it can be proven that the military caused the attacks and by you just saying it runs in the family, that would rule out that the miltiary caused it.

[kimmy]

bless him,  he will get better just be positve in your letters. Its alot harder than what they thought it would be . Just have a lot of faith &prayers!

 

 

[TXMom30]

Write your son letters every day and ask other family members to do the same. Give him positive reinforcement in those letters and send pics of family, etc. Remind him how proud you are and how soon BC will be over. Tell him to be strong. My son said there is lots of yelling, screaming etc but everyone is getting their fair share. No one is singled out.  Hopefully your son is making friends or has at least one friend he is bonding with.  Keep the letters going and keep him informed on what's going on at home, friends, sports teams he likes, etc. My son said they get mail every night at 8PM and that is the highlight of his day, so its important your son gets letters every day.  I'm running out of things to say so I go online and pull up jokes to print and mail; I copy and paste notes from his facebook that his friends are  posting saying how they miss him  and funny pictures.  I send any and everything that takes up space!  Good luck. If this is the first time your son is on his own,  he probably having some separation anxiety. Just be very positive in all your communication and push him to be strong, get thru his training and it will soon be over!!! You will be fine too...he is doing a great thing...you must be strong for him:)  Good Luck!!