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Child Behavior (Expert Forum)
10 y o w/ severe separation anxiety
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
10 y o w/ severe separation anxiety
by bvblaw, Apr 28, 2003 12:00AM
My 10 y o son suffers frequent nightmare (and daymares(?)) that his mother will meet tragedy (housefire, car crash) if he's not with her 24/7. It has inhibited his relationship w/ new stepmother & new siblings; has inhibited his participation in competitive sports; damaged his performance in school. We had him evaluated for learning disabilities and he has none; that's when psychologist advised he's suffering from pressure of being center of Mom's universe. His mother is in denial as to her role (never remarried so he's her "only man" and she admits he's her reason for being), and wants him in therapy. I'm afraid putting him in therapy will send him the wrong message ("you're weird, abnormal"). Can't we accomplish the remedy with gradual behavior modification at home (and maybe therapy for Mom)?
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D., Apr 29, 2003 12:00AM
, Apr 29, 2003 12:00AM
Separation anxiety of a serious degree can improve with a combination of therapy and behavior management. Therapy alone will not resolve the matter. It will be important for the mother to devote herself to the process, because part of the therapy will certainly include responding in a new, different way to this little boy.
