anger

[mamabeth]

I have a 10 year old son, that has great difficulty dealing with anger. words really hurt him and he doesn't seem to beable to process the concept on how to deal with it. We have tryed to talk to him on his level and give him some ideas, but he just can't do it. His teachers feel that he need anger management, but I don't feel that it's to that point. He holds it in and then instead of lashing out he draws pictures expresing his anger in that manner. or when you tell him it's time for bed or he's not doing something , instead of him dealing with that answer he gets very mad. I'm affraid that if he can't deal with now ,it will only get worse as tie goes on. And as he gets older will he then lash out. I just don't know where to turn any more please help. For his father and I have talked to him so much I 'am beginning to wonder how much is he really understanding. Thank you Mamabeth

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

It's hard to know these days exactly what people mean when they refer to anger management. It's sort of become the term in vogue. However, it generally means that a person needs some help in learning what to do when they become angry. In that sense, the advice you received is prudent. Your son does need some help with this. Your description of him indicates that he would do well in therapy that addresses this goal. You would be doing him a big favor by arranging some therapy for him.