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Child Behavior (Expert Forum)
Separation Anxiety/phobias
Answered by
Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D. - Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, Family Therapy, Crisis Intervention
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates
This forum is for questions and support regarding child behavior issues such: Child Discipline (behavior management), Normal Child Development, Parent-Child Communications, Social Development
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Separation Anxiety/phobias
by KMG, Apr 19, 2002 12:00AM
I have a 5 year old daughter who recently began displaying separation anxiety and sickness/accident phobias. Background:
I work from home 3 days of the week and my mother and mother in law take care of her on the other 2 days. Our problem started around 5 weeks ago when in a period of 4 days 3 major things occurred in her life.
1. a new puppy
2. talk and registration for Kindergarten
3. 3 vaccination shots for Kindergarten (very upsetting to her)
Right after that she began crying upon our separation. Be it pre-school or her grammys house. She misses me terribly and seems obsessed with asking such questions as "how many hours till I pick her up" again and again. Also she became very concerned about washing her hands and what happens if I swallow this poison or touch this "will I be okay"
Although now she is no longer washing her hands she asked me frequently if what she touches is clean .. She is going to preschool now with just a little hugging and then she is fine...
also will go to my mother in laws house. When it comes to my mothers house she is very upset. SHe says my mothers house is unsafe and she would rather have a babysitter. I talked with my mom who assures me she being very comforting to her. My question is do I force her to go to my mom's or make other arrangements. And should I have her evaluated for panic anxiety disorders due to these phobias? (panic anxiety and depression run on both sides of my and my husbands families) Should I wait another month to see if it all subsides?
thanks
I work from home 3 days of the week and my mother and mother in law take care of her on the other 2 days. Our problem started around 5 weeks ago when in a period of 4 days 3 major things occurred in her life.
1. a new puppy
2. talk and registration for Kindergarten
3. 3 vaccination shots for Kindergarten (very upsetting to her)
Right after that she began crying upon our separation. Be it pre-school or her grammys house. She misses me terribly and seems obsessed with asking such questions as "how many hours till I pick her up" again and again. Also she became very concerned about washing her hands and what happens if I swallow this poison or touch this "will I be okay"
Although now she is no longer washing her hands she asked me frequently if what she touches is clean .. She is going to preschool now with just a little hugging and then she is fine...
also will go to my mother in laws house. When it comes to my mothers house she is very upset. SHe says my mothers house is unsafe and she would rather have a babysitter. I talked with my mom who assures me she being very comforting to her. My question is do I force her to go to my mom's or make other arrangements. And should I have her evaluated for panic anxiety disorders due to these phobias? (panic anxiety and depression run on both sides of my and my husbands families) Should I wait another month to see if it all subsides?
thanks
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D., Apr 22, 2002 12:00AM
, Apr 22, 2002 12:00AM
Definitely wait it out - it sounds like things are already on the way to resolution. If you are comfortable with the quality of care at your mother-in law's, by all means continue to send her. It is likely all these reactions are temporary in nature, most likely generated by the Kindergarten registration. This is a frequent response to such registration, but the reaction will wane. Sounds like you're handling it fine. Thre's no need for professional evaluation at this point, even with the family history.
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