depression

[avvee]

my 10 year brother is so depressed as his school started this week. First he was so afraid of his new teacher, as his older friends scared him.. He did not want to go to school, not becoz hes not intelligent, jsut becoz he thinks that if in future he makes a mistake, she will punish him hard. We went to his school talked to the principal, she said she will change his class, so he will go to different teacher. Now hes depressed and scared that all his friends are gonna be in different class.. i am trying to make him understad that you dont need friends while you are in class and studying.. but he wont listen to us. He saying that if we need help we can always ask our teacher to make us sit with our frds so they can help us. If i dont have frds, who am i gonna sit with ?  I dont know wat to do, how to take him out of this situation. Can you please help me.

[Dooley1947]

How is it going?  Is he going to school?  How are YOU?  You sound like a good person.
-Dooley

[AJRC323]

Bleh, I meant to say:

And I want to stress this. I need an edit button!

[AJRC323]

Separating him from his friends is probably one of the worst things you can do. I had a very similar problem when I transitioned from 9th to 10th grade. My high school was exceptionally large however (3000 students back then), so in 10th grade I wound up being in classes with completely new people. Problem was, I had severe social anxiety and got so depressed from being alone that I switched to an independant study school. I regret that decision to this day.

My suggestion, have him talk to a psychologist who specializes in anxiety in children. It sounds an awful lot like social anxiety.

And want to stress this: He does need his friends, but he also needs his family. If you have any questions about social anxiety, I'd be happy to answer them for you.

[avvee]

no she hasnt moved him yet.. she said she will. but no improvements yet.. and now hes pretending to be sick everyday. and not going to school.
thank you for replying back..

[Dooley1947]

Do you know why the principal moved your brother to a different teacher?  Did the principal talk to the original teacher before deciding to move your brother?
Very truly yours,
Dooley