Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.
Trending News
I am at a loss about what to do here, any input regarding child psycology would be helpful.?
Well..where to start... recently (meaning within the last month or so) my daughter has been exhibiting very unusual and very age inappropriate behaviours (not sexually or in that way).
i've noticed that she's been very negative, kind of sullen, and withdrawn. I kind of blew it off thinking well, maybe she's just blue. then she started (at home, especially whenever she was in time out) that she hates her life, she hates, hates her sisters and that she wishes they were never born. so red flag there.
the biggest and most concerning point is that at school she told her teacher that she wanted to kill herself(then proceeded to make a slashing motion on her throat and wrists). i've never made those motions around her, and I don't watch tv around them. (however they have been exposed to some media whilst family was watching them.) regardless i'm very concerned. i have already taken the first step by taking her to a psychologist for therapy. but I don't know how to handle this on a day to day basis. as a parent what can i do to help her feel better? I have never had to deal with anything like this before.
I am so frustrated, and I feel helpless, and also really judged; but that's to be expected whenever children do anything out of the ordinary, I suppose.
Oh yes, and I think it is important to note that around the time frame she started this behaviour is when she found out about her farther and my-self's separation.(admittedly I did drop the ball on not telling them sooner)
I have talked to her about it and asked many questions, the answers she gives are very vague and they don't really make sense. she is however very upset with a young boy at school she says she hates him and he's SO annoying. the teachers says that it's in her head that the boy isn't that bad. (she didn't literally say that but that was my interpretation of it.)
3 Answers
- AmberPLv 79 years agoFavorite Answer
She is going through depression, anxiety or/and stress is what i would guess. You are already doing what you need to do in taking her to therapy. This is also something that you can ask the therapist while you are there, you are her mother, you need to know what to say, etc.
The first thing i would do is make sure that she doesn't have a way of hurting herself, and also make sure that she feels like she can come to you and tell you how she is feeling even if it is going to hurt you. It may just be that she is trying to process what is going on in her life right now and doesn't know how to.
Sometimes the best thing that we as parents can do in situations like this is get them the help that they need and be there to listen and make sure they don't act out on any of their feelings....I should also put in here that it is important that you tell the psychologist that she has mentioned suicide, he/she can ask her if she means it or not. If she starts acting really out of it call a crisis hot line for her.
EDIT: It would make sense that she is vague and doesn't really make sense in what she is really upset about because sometimes kids don't know how to process emotions that they don't understand, it turns into i don't like school, i don't like myself, i don't like my siblings, instead of what is really wrong. The therapy will help her with that.
Source(s): My 10 year old has a mental illness. - ?Lv 59 years ago
Have you talked to her? I mean, I'm sure you have but ask her why she's upset, not just while she's in time-out or having an issue, but while you're just sitting with her. Ask her why she wants to die, ask her to share with you so that you can understand and help. If she won't talk start listing things. Start simple, is it the house? Is it school? Is it sisters? And if she hasn't said anything yet move on to the whole separation thing. It's good that you got an appointment though.
- mariasonawireLv 69 years ago
How old is she?
Trust that the psychologist will help and can also give you coping tools on how to work with her on a day to day basis. If you walk on eggshells and second guess yourself, it may send her the wrong message, you may create a monster.
Be her Mom, love her, offer her encouragement and support, model healthy coping mechanisms. Let her know you are strong enough to carry her during this dark time and they you will not let her her fall.
