Dr. Sheila Furey, MD

There are multiple issues related to headaches. Without a full history, it is difficult to give you the best path forward. You state these are stress headaches. Evaluate and decrease your level of stress. Reduce your sugar intake and intake of processed foods. Change diet to include more fat, and less carbohydrates. Do you have Smart Meter on your house? Consider having it removed. How much time to you spend on screens? Decrease your screen time to less than 2 hours per day. Again, without a full evaluation, my advise is limited. Sent with [Proton Mail](https://proton.me/) secure email.

First, one needs to understand if you are having true panic attacks. If they are typically at night and are related to other anxiety, you are probably correct they are panic attacks. However, it is important to rule out cardiac arrhythmias, thyroid or other endocrine abnormalities. If all has been ruled out, I like to keep things simple at first: meditation is an excellent method to bring your stress level down and reduce panic, exercise is also a great option and additionally I use Magnesium Citrate or glycinate supplements. Additional supplements can also help if you adrenal fatigue from a high stress life style. Panic attacks are not to be minimized because they can be very disrupting to your life, but sometimes simple lifestyle changes can make a big difference.

Your daughter's age is important. Onset of her period 10-12 vs. 15-16. Though birth control is often a first choice, I think it is important to look at changes in your daughter's diet or the use of supplements prior to the use of birth control. Birth control is not without side effects and for some girls have worsening of their depressive symptoms. Sleep, exercise, and adequate Vitamin D and B12 are important. Calcium, Magnesium and Zinc are also important.

Anxiety and panic have effected many children particularly in COVID time. The disruption of the normal routines of school, sports, church and family life has resulted in significant increases in anxiety in children. Work to normalize your child's routine and begin to empower him. Tell him how strong he is and reflect on all the things he has accomplished. As a parent, fight to regain normalcy for your family.

Yoga can be a big help with relaxation and focus, however, your son may benefit from exercises specifically targeting the brain. Neuroplasticity exercises target the brain and have shown tremendous growth in the areas targeted by an exercises. Exercises can increase attention, memory and comprehension. It does take approximately 3 months to begin to see change, however, my patients feel the investment was well worth it. I have a number of college age students who are completing exercises online for 1 hour a day M-F.

I would seek an evaluation to look at all the potential causes of her hyperactivity. Hyperactivity can be related to anxiety, depression or avoid of tasks that are challenging. A comprehensive evaluation will begin to help you and your daughter.

A child struggling in school is distressing both for the child and for the parents. A full cognitive assessment is needed to gain perspective on his strengths and weaknesses. After the assessment, I could meet with you to discuss options for cognitive strengthening exercises. Children who struggle academically are often anxious and insecure because they feel confused in the classroom environment. They often attempt to hide their confusion by avoidance. It is important to gain a full understanding of your son and support him in process of understanding the problems and then working on interventions.