strang(?) behavior

Hello,

I have a son who is 6 years old.  He has lately exhibited what I consider "strange" behaviors when he is interacting with his friends.  He will get severely upset, to the point of tears, if his friends get something which he DOES NOT want.  

Case in point, we went to the local circus where they had face painting.  He was really not interested in getting it, but when the friend that was with us decided to have his face done my
son got very upset.  He was literally in tears, said that they were not friends any more and was so upset that we had to go home.  

Another instance was that he got invited to a play his friend was in. He was told what the play was about and he was very excited to go.  But appearantly at the middle of the play he diceided that he did not like it anymore and the "sounds hurt his ears".  Again he got very upset, started to cry and told everyone that they were not friends and his friends were "stupid" etc.

I could understand if he got upset if his friend got something that HE wanted and did not get.  But I am baffled by the idea that he is upset when other people get things which he himself does not want.   He has done this on several occasions, yet never the other.  

Any idea how to handle this?

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

What might be occurring is that, as he sees it, his time is being infringed upon by others' needs, so it really might be his self-interest that is at the heart of the issue, even though he himself may not desire whatever is at issue. In a sense, he might want the world to revolve around his wisher or needs, and he is having a hard time acquiescing to others' needs. Chat with him a bit about his upset and what has him out of sorts at such times, though wait until the emotional reaction subsides.