My 6 year old son freaks out!

My son always says he is scared, when he gets in trouble and I send him to his room he freaks out screaming at the tope of his lungs running around the house. when he see's someone with out a body part such as arm, leg. or fingers he completly freaks out. I really belive he is scared what can i do?

[jdtm]

I suspect your son is suffering from anxiety - perhaps generalized anxiety (GAD).  The first step is to contact your family physician or your son's pediatrician (if you have one) to discuss how better to help your son.  I wish you the best ...

[ruthrichmond21]

When I was 5 years old I would tell my mom that I thought I was having a heart attack. I was always thinking some thing was wrong with me and I always thought the worst of every thing. Do you think it is just in his gens? I have talked to his doctor about it and they tell me I need to get him out of being so nervous as a child if not he will be a nevous adult. I dont know what to do to get him out of this!

[jdtm]

Yes, anxiety is an inherited trait.  Anxiety is a disorder which one "cannot be talked out of".  Perhaps it is time to seek another opinion.  If anxiety is the issue, treatment usually consists of intervention, therapy and possibly medication.  If anxiety is the issue, you cannot solve this without help.  If your son had diabetes, would you expect to solve that problem yourself?  Really, it is time to find another doctor or at least ask your family doctor for a referral to see a medical person with experience in anxiety issues.  I wish you the best ....

[margypops]

I think any child would freak out if they saw someone without a Body part, have you asked him what he is afraid of? Does he have interaction with his Dad and is he able to get involved in Sports and Games and get rid of Energy, Is there any thing in your and His interaction that isnt working, what does he see on TV and video games I think there is a behavioral problem here that could be addressed by some attention.

[ruthrichmond21]

My husband lives with us and he is with my 2 boys every day! The thing is about 1 year ago my son met a little boy who was born with out a hand. For about 6 months he would not go around the boy if the little boy was around then my son would go and hide. But on Easter this year we were at a family members house and so was the other little boy,Well my son would not get out of the car for any thing for about 2 hours. Finally I talked him into leting bryson come over to the car and he said " Ok mommy but dont let him get in the car". Bryson came over to the car and said " hi Brandon will you get out and race me I bet you can't run as fast as me". Well Brandon got out of the car and they have been friends since that day. But now there is a family members husband who is missing 2 fingers and Im going through the same thing all over again! I wonder if he just needs to face his fear?

[ruthrichmond21]

I wonder if he just needs to face his fears. I dont really feel like he is a nervous person he is just afraid of things. I dont see how you cant out grow it I did. He started school this year so maybe this will help! As for medication that will not happen, I think they are to quick to put kids on medication these days. Instead of trying to relate to the children and understand that they are kids, They want put them on medication. I know first hand what can happen, my child does not need medication! Any way that is a whole different subject that I really don't want to get into I have my thoughts on it as does every one else.

[margypops]

That explains it . I think possibly not feeding into his fear, dont remark on it, I feel children sometimes work things out for them selves,it is a bit scary for a child ,its possible he has also heard some adult conversation regarding how these injurys and Losses ocurred, maybe he has wondered if it could happen to him, The fact your son is now friends with the Boy shows he accepted the loss and it is just happening again, say nothing and I think your Boy will work it out for himself.

[ruthrichmond21]

Yes I think he just needs to get over this on his own terms. I completly agree with you on not playing into him, when he is afraid I do think that he knows we are going to cater to him but we should not. He started school this year and wants to play sports so hopefully things get better. thank you for talking with me.

[jdtm]

I wonder if he just needs to face his fears. -- I agree - how are you going to do this - obviously what you have been doing is not working.  Perhaps "not playing into him" might work; then again, it might not.  It's worth a try but I think you should have a back-up plan because children who suffer from anxiety often "trade" one fear for another.

I dont see how you cant out grow it I did. -- Did you or did you learn how to "manage" your anxiety?  Actually some researchers today feel that one can "outgrow" anxiety; the conventional wisdom today is that anxiety is managed and controlled.  It does sound as if your son is unable to "manage" his anxieties/fears and needs help in this area.  Some children can learn to read by themselves; most cannot.  The same principle can be applied to managing anxieties/fears.

I dont really feel like he is a nervous person -- Anxiety is not the same as being nervous.  Anxiety is a physical and emotional problem caused often from a chemical imbalance in the brain (the reason for medication).  It is also a vague unpleasant emotional state with qualities of apprehension, dread, distress, and uneasiness.  By the way, untreated anxiety results in the overproduction of cortisol - a chemical produced from stress which can cause physical impairments to the developing brain.

Perhaps it might be wise to post on the "Ask a Doctor" forum - child behavior - to get a more professional viewpoint (myself included).  I wish you the best ....

[margypops]

The playing of Sports is the best thing for children somehow the Physicality of it focuses them and distracts them, it makes them keen and Happy ,I have seen this many times with children of both Sexes ,once they become Physically active, it is like a light Bulb goes on, I guess it could be as simple as an Adrenalin effect.but it does seem to work.