Mr. Anxiety

Recently, my eldest son was complaining of throat pain. So we needed to take him to the doctors but that also meant we needed to prepare ourselves mentally and emotionally for what would be an anxiety inducing visit from Mr. Anxiety. 

N became fixated on the fact that he had to have a tongue depressor used on him. He hates the taste and the feeling of gagging. The entire trip to the doctors he kept asking “Do they have to use that stick in my mouth Mama?” Where I repeatedly responded “they will need to look at your throat if your throat hurts you.” Later adding “what do you think they are going to do if your throat hurts?” I was needing him to stop asking over and over again for my own sanity but I knew full well that this would not be the case.

When we arrived at the office it was clear he was stressing out. Hands curling into fists, sweaty hands constantly being wiped on his legs. Getting up and down from his seat while still asking me the same questions about the tongue depressor “Are they going to use the stick?”

When we entered towards the patient room, he started on the nurse. Asking the same questions and stating his dislike about the entire process while she just tried to get his height and weight. 

Once in the room, he fought the nurse and wouldn’t allow her to swab his throat. Moving his face away or swatting her hand. Impossible and clearly frustrated, the nurse left the room hoping the doctor would have better luck. I can understand how frustrating it is for someone who is trying to do their job but I wish others would try to be more empathetic to his state. 

While we waited for the doctor it just added to his anxiety. As he sat there, he came up with alternatives “Maybe I can just stay sick.” Or “I’m feeling much better, let’s just go home.” His legs shaking, tears in his eyes “I just can’t take this anymore!” Panic now in the room. I remind him to breathe and recall his “Peace Out” podcast that sometimes helps him calm down and work through his anxiety. I passed him my phone to try and get him to find his calm.

Enters the doctor and “Anxiety” completely takes over. He bursts into tears and panic. His arms go into protective mode, swatting the doctors hands away. Enters “Fight or Flight”. The doctor works slowly and patiently with him, then comes N’s dreaded moment, the cotton swab. The doctor says “I’m not going to use the tongue depressor. Just this swab.” N interrupted him “it’s still a stick! WAIT! I don’t want a stick!” Moving his hand away.

Then I gently take his hands and tell him to take a breathe. I urge him to listen to the doctor who is only trying to help him. The doctor tilts his head back and asked him to open his mouth. A small struggle and done. Tears running down his face, N is upset but when he realizes it’s over I see his shoulders relax, he gains control of his breathing and anxiety slowly leaves the room. He returns to his usual happy self. 

All that build up anxiety, as the thought grew bigger and bigger in his head spiraling him out of control. He would get calm only to work himself up again. For me, it seemed so simple to get the throat culture. For him, it was as if someone was going to wound him. The mere thought of the taste of the tongue depressor was enough to send him into a frenzy, snowballing out of control. 

People often look at my son always surprised to later hear of his diagnosis of Autism. I often hear “He doesn’t look Autistic.” This frustrates me. What are they expecting? Should he be rocking in a corner somewhere staring into the void or spouting out random gibberish? What they don’t realize is that Autism presents differently for each child. For N, a huge part of it is Anxiety. He can become fixated on ideas, thoughts on how things are meant to be, the way things function until his fears become paralyzing. In this case it was how the tongue depressor made him feel. I know comments like this aren’t really judgements but ignorance on their part. They don’t know him, his diagnosis is not a star upon his chest and we don’t willingly promote it to everyone we meet. 

It is important to find healthcare providers who understand the function of Autism and it’s many ever changing variations. NEVER assume that because they are pediatricians that they fully understand the scope of Autism or any other disability. It’s important to discuss these things prior with doctors. Though the nurse didn’t handle this the way I would have preferred, thankfully, we have a pediatrician who is patient and educated enough in the matter to not rush the process. So glad we did go to doctors because it turns out that N did have Strep throat and had I given in to Mr. Anxiety and forgone the check up, it could potentially have gotten worse. 

Since we can’t change the world to adjust to him, I can only teach him how to adjust to the world. There will be days like this where any advice I give him doesn’t help. Where his tools fail him. Where anxiety is the driving force. We will have to just keep up the repetition, practice the situations with the hope that each time will get easier for him. 

How do you handle a nervous child? I would love to hear your experiences and what worked for you. Until next time...


We are blessed for sure!

With love and dedication anything is possible!