My 6 yr old child said she wants to kill me!!!

[lovemuch927]

Hi i am very worried about my child, she is 6 years old and last night was putting away her clothes coming back from our worst camping trip ever. As i was bathing her little sister she walked in the restroom and had a small knife in her hand and said to me do you want me to wash it for you? i took it away from her and told her NO! How could you think you would be able to wash this and shewalked out of the room...After i took out her sister from her bath and was getting ready to dress her, she asked to speak to me, and i told her to wait for me because i couldnt at that moment, and then she said Mom i dont know why something tells me in my head to kill people or hurt them! and i asked her if she was sure and nodded yes i asked her how does the voice tell you to kill she said with a knife and then i asked her well there has to be someone that it tells you to kill right and she said well people but mainly you? im devastated and am 25 years old with 3 children raising them on my own i dont have family or any support at all, my oldest child is disabled and now this? i am feeling like a failure and have gone through so many tough moments that i feel like maybe i am not fit to care for them i myself am battling with deppression and PTSD that make it hard to work on my problem let alone help my daughter now. I want to think this is going to pass but i want to help her and give her the chance to have a healthy emotional life/ Also she has been bullied i told the school but nobody listens to me she stutters and has gotten even worse with that and the school refuses to assess her i feel like no one cares about me and my concerns. i dont' know where to go with this

[SSSF]

Find a psychiatrist immediately as well as a therapist; sliding scale rates or through insurance.

[happy_4466]

I've been through this. She needs an outlet. Ask her how she's doing everyday. There are free services for mental health in most communities. Call your local heath dept or Google it.  My children do yoga and love it.

[Sandman2]

    Good link by mgood86 and worth reading.  However, I really doubt the schizo possibility.   The link mentioned above states, "The appearance of symptoms of psychosis before age 12 is rare (less than one-sixtieth as common as the adult-onset type)."
     And, "Childhood-onset - Most children with schizophrenia show delays in language and other functions long before their psychotic symptoms (hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking) appear. In the first years of life, about 30% of these children have transient symptoms of pervasive developmental disorder, such as rocking, posturing, and arm flapping. Childhood-onset of psychosis may present with poor motor development, such as unusual crawling, and children may be more anxious and disruptive compared to those with later onset."   You have mentioned none of these possibilities.

[motleycruzing]

I imagine she got this from TV or the internet, does she have access to both? If she does, do you monitor what she watches? It sound strange but there's  lot of kids nowadays who think its cool to mimick generally crazy characters, yes even as young as your daughter. But just to be safe I would take her to a psychiatrist and see if anything is wrong. Also, you are not failing as a mother, the fact that you posted this concerned question proves that you are a very caring mother just trying her best, as all have before you. Don't give up :)

[mgood86]

My cousin is taking medicine for schizophrenia.  If it is diagnosed and treated daily, the person suffering with it can lead a "normal" life. It is not uncommon for a child to be diagnosed with it.  Please read the  information at the following website:  http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/psychosis-schizophrenia-children-and-youth

I understand your overwhelming and scared feelings.  But please know the resources to help your daughter are out there.  And going through your own issues gives you extra knowledge to give a guiding hand.  You just have to find the resources and use them.  

Call your county mental health department and explain your situation to them.  County mental health will help your family on a income derived payment plan.  If your daughter has insurance check the health plan for what it covers.  

If you need further assistance in finding this information out, please feel free to message me and I will do what I can to help you locate the information.  Being told to stay strong and keep your chin up are easy words to say, but much harder for you to feel able to do so, so please talk to someone when you need to as well.  Hugs.

[Tntoole]

Take the child to a psychiatrist ASAP! For your safety and those of your other kids.  Contact her counselor at school as well.  This behavior is not taught at 6yrs old.  She has mental issues.  I wish you the best of luck with her. Please get her help.

[Sandman2]

      Another thought is that you were just coming off the "worst camping trip ever".    Your daughter was apparently trying to help with the knife - and while your reaction was appropriate - it probably was the icing on the cake so to speak.   6 year old kids do not know how to deal with anger unless they have been taught so - Of course TV, is so helpful in that regard.
    I guess what I am saying is that maybe she is not schizo, but perhaps stressed out being the middle child between two other kids who need a lot of help and she does not know how to deal with this.  Stuttering is a definite sign of anxiety.  If this is happening also at school, her teacher should be doing a referral.  And this is something that should be done now - not at the start of next year with a new teacher who does not know her.
     What can you do?  Well, one thing is to teach her ways to communicate her anger.  There is a really neat set of books aimed at this age group.  It is meant to be read to them (good bonding) many times and in doing so - the child will develop (and  you) ways to deal with anger.  A good example and others are listed on this link is "When I Feel Angry" - http://www.amazon.com/When-Feel-Angry-Way-Books/dp/0807588970/ref=pd_sim_14_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=51btE3dscsL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL320_SR252%2C320_&refRID=0ZHYAZ397YX7VAA8WQ9V
      By the way, if you send a letter to the school principal and also the District Special Education Department saying that your child is being bullied and has a stuttering problem that is being made worse by the situation. I think you will get results.   If you really want to push it - also include a copy to the Board of Education.
      I really do think that getting the book I mentioned (and maybe "When I feel Sad, or When I feel Worried" and reading it to her - and maybe all your kids will help all of you.
      Hope this helps!!!

[AnnieBrooke]

I'd call the local Women's Shelter, not to stay there but to get some resources and phone numbers.  The school should be more on top of your daughter's issues than they are.  You should be able to contact someone at the school district.  Voices in the head could be a sign of schizophrenia, it's important to have her seen and assessed.  Also call the local foster agency, again to get the name of some resources.  In our area, there are Women's Services agencies to help with this king of thing.  Look up that name, there might be a list of resources.

[AnnieBrooke]

*kind* of thing, not king of thing