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5 yr old with "bad thoughts"

My 5 year old goes to preschool at a Catholic Church.  A couple of weeks ago, at the beginning of lent, my daughter, at bedtime, started worrying that the Devil was going to get her. She also started sobbing after school because during school she was tempted to touch a toy or the teacher's phone, knowing she was not supposed to do those things.  She also hates to do anything wrong at school.  She then started having bad dreams about the Devil.  (They did mention the Devil at preschool and I thought her nightmares were a result of this discussion.  I talked with the very seasoned preschool teacher and she assured me that they do not teach this, but it was only mentioned in a biblical story.)  My daughter and I talked and at the conclusion, I thought the nightmares and issues with temptation (touching the keys) was because she thought the devil would reach out and get her.  Last night, she told me that she had a bad thought and that thought was that she killed me.  She said she knows she it was a bad thought and she would never do it, but she didn't know why she had that bad thought.  She also had other bad thoughts that she told me about but nothing as disturbing as this.  She struggles going to sleep at night and I am hoping this is just a phase. When she wakes up in the morning, she says that she didn't get any sleep, even though I know she sleeps through the night.  
3 Responses
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242606 tn?1243782648
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
During the pre-school years children are gradually developing notions of 'right vs wrong' and the beginnings of conscience are evolving. So internal struggles around things that are 'bad' are not uncommon. The normal developmental process can be complicated when elements like the 'Devil' are introduced into the mix. Continue to reassure her. At this young age some children can display what appears to be an Obsessive-type (particularly re: scrupulosity) OCD, but generally the behavior gradually wanes. If there is a family history of Anxiety Disorder the chanes of her displaying such a disorder are increased.
Helpful - 1
242606 tn?1243782648
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Ask her: "What do you think would help?" Then respond to her reply. What you want to avoid is dwelling on the topic.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
What do I say to her and/or how do I help her through these "bad thoughts?"  Tonight she said she couldn't get the bad thoughts of killing out of her head.  What is the most appropriate way to talk to her about it?  Thank you
Helpful - 0

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