We are probably going to do IM this summer for our 8 year old son. We also have been considering a medication to help him with anxiety. But I don’t want to confuse the effects of these 2 interventions. He’s been much less anxious this summer than during school, so I am thinking we’ll delay the drug trial until after IM. For those of you who have used IM successfully, is there any way to anticipate how quickly the results can be seen, and for how long they continue to develop? (maybe we can avoid meds altogether?!?!?)
Re: How quickly are IM results seen?
We did IM during the last part of the school year. I really didn’t see any changes until we were done. I am not sure how it will transfer to the school setting because of that. I know you usually don’t see any changes until at least half way through, if that helps.
Beth
Re: How quickly are IM results seen?
That helps alot thanks! I think we are going to wait until after IM to see if we want / need to try medication. My son is always a tough call with anything, and while IM doesn’t address anxiety, it may give him enough help with the other areas of deficiency so that he doesn’t feel as anxious. Thanks for the input.
Re: How quickly are IM results seen?
My two also did IM. I would be reluctant to wait on meds. My oldest has higher then average anxiety,puts a lot of pressure on himself. He had difficulty relaxing and allowing his body to relax to the beats. “getting into the zone” is what they called it. He would definitely be considered an A type personality. If this is partly describing your son,he might find the pressure of this program difficult.
Re: How quickly are IM results seen?
Thanks for the heads up, I’m going to run that thought by my husband tonight. I think my son is border line for the meds (at least during the summer !) , and can get into the zone … we saw a glimmer during his evaluation for IM last weekend. But if its not working we can always postpone the whole thing.
Re: How quickly are IM results seen?
Why can’t you do both? Why would meds pose such a problem during IM? I guess this confuses me. I don’t believe it would harm the progress of IM,and there is 23 more hours in the day to observe him on medication. If the issue is really whether he needs meds or not,there is a different kettle of fish. IM will not remove anxiety issues.
It made sense when the doctor said it...
: )
He was concerned that we wouldn’t know if any improvements in attention and self regulation would be due to meds or IM. We don’t expect IM to address the anxiety directly. I think because he’s on the fence about medication to begin with he thought we should do it under typical circumstances so the effect, if any, would be clear. I do feel like the summer is so full of transitions, start camp, end camp, vacation, time away, time at home, that its hard to know why we see certain behaviors. Come september we’ll click into a very regular schedule, full of stress!
My 11 year old son is doing IM now. He is half way through. The main thing I have seen so far is he is better able to follow multi step directions. He also has an anxiety disorder and I have not seen any improvement there. He also is better with the anxiety in the summer. IM is hard and without his meds he was having major difficulty getting through the sessions. I don’t think I will see exactly how it has helped till he goes back to school.
Jean