I'll try anything

[sunshine1976]

Starting Caleb  on a Omega 3 Suppliment.  He has problems with switching gears from one activity to another.  He gets over stimulated & has a hard time calming down.  He goes through cycles where he can't sleep (just like his Mom).  He gives himself stress tummy aches in the morning before school but once he's there he's fine.  My husband has a lot of anxiety problems & I have sleep problems & it looks like we've passed them on.  I was reading that Omega 3 can help the brain deal with stress better so here we go.  I also play guided meditations for him at night & they seem to help make the transition to bed time.  He gets in trouble at school for his behavor when he is overwhelmed ( too aggresive & defiant), but the same teachers say he is the sweetest most loving boy in the class.  I hate to take him in to the doctor for fear they will just label & medicate him.  He's only 4 (Will be 5 in a couple months).  I took him to a family therapist last year & she said she did not believe he was ADD just a very intense child.  He feeds off others emotions so when I get frustrated or angry it just amps him higher, but when I can't help him I get frustrated & angry.  It's a vicious circle.

Any suggestions?

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Yes. A helpful guide to managing behavior is Lynn Clark's SOS: Help for Parents.

[sunshine1976]

I was stressed & don't think clear in my last post. I apologize.  I don't fear that he has a problem.  I know something is going on. I just fear at this young age labeling him & of course giving him medication is a huge decision I do not take lightly.  I did take him for an evaluation last year.  He was observed on four different times, video taped & evaluated.  It was the clinic's opinion he did not have a disability.  He could stay on task.  They did say he was a very intense child & had to have very clear boundaries set & enforced.  This had worked up until recently.  As you know almost 4 is way different than almost 5.  I have an appointment to take him in to the GP this month & will raise my concerns with him.  I have just seen so many kids just given drugs to keep them in line without being taught skills to deal with their challenges instead of or in addition to the drug therapy.   I do not want to practice chemical parenting.  I will give him medication if it is decided that it is needed, but I was wondering if you can recommend any books or programs that offer alternative or complementary information on how to help intense children learn how cope when they are overwrought & stressed.
Thank you for your time & help.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

You should definitely arrange an evaluation. There's nothing to be frightened about. You are missing an opportunity to understand what is going on and obtain some useful intervention. That is not a prudent course.