It is true that “it takes a village to raise a child.” The more resources you are able to use, the more powerful the intervention will be for your child. The sections below highlight areas you may wish to consider as your child begins taking medication for anxiety.

Coordination of Providers

As previously mentioned, it is ideal if your child's care providers consult and coordinate with each other regarding your child's care. You will need to sign consent forms for this to occur, and you may have to advocate for coordination if your child's care providers do not normally work in this way. These days, providers can use phone, fax, e-mail, and regular mail to contact each other. In more complex cases, scheduling a team meeting involving all of the players may be essential to ensure everyone is working toward the same goal.

Combining Therapy and Medication

Combining therapy and medication has often been shown to be more effective than either therapy or medication alone. In fact, it is recommended by the AACAP and other professional organizations that if a child takes medication, she is seen by a therapist as well. For example, your child may find that medication decreases her anxiety even a little, which helps her tolerate distress as she is learning or retrieving skills. The new skills, once cemented by practice in and out of therapy, should remain once the medication is discontinued.

School

Your child should not need to take anxiety medications at school as they are administered once or twice daily and can be taken at home. However, some shorter acting medications for acute anxiety may be given at school. Your child's doctor will need to contact the school (often by fax) with the pertinent information.

Decide together with your child and care professionals how and who to inform about your child's medications. For example, some families may be comfortable informing a school nurse and social worker, but not the primary teacher.

Dealing with Friends

It is not uncommon for children who are anxious to worry about what their friends and other important people in their lives will think about their treatment. Unfortunately, there is still a great deal of stigma associated with mental health care, and even your extended family may question your choice to seek treatment for your child. You yourself may be confused about what to share about your child's troubles, and with whom. In fact, these issues are great topics for discussion in therapy, and can help your child “own” his condition and take some pride in the fact that he is taking control of his problems. The best rule of thumb is for you and your child to decide, with the help of a therapist if you wish, “the story” you'd like to present publicly. Developing a list of “pat” responses such as “I am getting help because I worry too much,” or “I need to see a doctor to help my brain from working overtime” can afford you and your child some confidence in managing others' curiosity.