[faerie_moon_x]

My middle son is almost 6 years old.

I've wondered if he had ADHD for a while, but this is different. He is moody. He argues about everything. He's sensitive. He makes up stories.

But last night he got a tiny bit of butter on his shirt. He wanted a new one but they were all in the laundry. I told him if he can find a shirt he can wear it. I am trying to make him be more independant, not make mom get up every time he needs something. And I was trying to get the baby to sleep. He started crying because he doesn't "look" he just gives up and starts crying. I told him to go in his room. I was frustraited so used a "get off your butt and look" mom tone.

He had his shirt off. Walked into his room was crying and yelling he didn't know where any shirts were... then he started hitting himself.... Slapping, hitting himself, screaming panic that he can't find a shirt.

I called him to me immediately. Hugged him and talked him down. I know that tone/behavior. My SI, right there, coming out of my son.... I know, unfortunatley, he's witnessed me melt down before when he was younger. I don't know if its mimic or worse.

Any thoughts?

[BlueInanna]

What a fright nothing worse than watching your child go through something like that. I think you did the right thing hugging and talking him down. My bipolar son is 16 now and it's a nightmare, he was originally diagnosed with adhd and depression. If I could go back in time, I would give anything to do so. I would hug him and baby him and give major leeway on the mood swings and behavior problems, focusing on self-esteem and resiliency, and I would make the school do the same.

[Irreplaceable]

Awwweeee....My daughter is 6 too Poor guy....Kids that age ***sighs***. It's really hard to tell whether or not he is mimicking you or if there is something else going on. At that age, yes they do mimick a lot A LOT of what they see. My daughter does the exact same things she sees me doing. The self harm concerns me. That would scare me as a parent. Poor guy...Watch everything he does from now on....I would pay close attention to how he responds...You know what the symptoms are for this disease so watch for those signs...Is this the first time he has done something like this? I would sit him down and talk to him. Pick his brain to see what he says. Don't sit him down and make it seem like you're having a serious talk because that can make him shy away from being truthful. Ask him questions about how he feels sometimes and what he thinks. I would ask questions casually. Like, with my daughter, when I'm trying to get a truthful answer out of her but I don't want her to be intimidated or scared of how I might respond, I will say something like, "Mommy won't get upset just be tell the truth. I'm here to help, that's my job. Tell me so that I can help you. I promise I won't get upset. Aren't we suppose to be friends? Friends talk don't they? You talk to your friends why can't you talk to mommy?". Or use yourself for an example. I would say something like, "When mommy gets upset, sometimes she gets sooooo angry that she throws things and does things to make herself hurt. Is that how you feel sometimes?" (not saying that you do, but you get what I'm saying)


I'm getting my Masters in Psychology and we discussed the child mind from infancy throughout adolescence. It is very possible that he is reacting according to what he has seen or witnessed. How is his emotional and mental state besides this incident? Is there anything going on at school or home (hope this doesn't offend you just digging for answers) that could be making him respond this way? Again, it could be very well something genetically going on. We all know that mental illnesses can be passed along. Watch for signs and if it keeps happening I would take him to see a professional...Hope this helps...

[faerie_moon_x]

Originally Posted by Irreplaceable

Awwweeee....My daughter is 6 too Poor guy....Kids that age ***sighs***. It's really hard to tell whether or not he is mimicking you or if there is something else going on. At that age, yes they do mimick a lot A LOT of what they see. My daughter does the exact same things she sees me doing. The self harm concerns me. That would scare me as a parent. Poor guy...Watch everything he does from now on....I would pay close attention to how he responds...You know what the symptoms are for this disease so watch for those signs...Is this the first time he has done something like this? I would sit him down and talk to him. Pick his brain to see what he says. Don't sit him down and make it seem like you're having a serious talk because that can make him shy away from being truthful. Ask him questions about how he feels sometimes and what he thinks. I would ask questions casually. Like, with my daughter, when I'm trying to get a truthful answer out of her but I don't want her to be intimidated or scared of how I might respond, I will say something like, "Mommy won't get upset just be tell the truth. I'm here to help, that's my job. Tell me so that I can help you. I promise I won't get upset. Aren't we suppose to be friends? Friends talk don't they? You talk to your friends why can't you talk to mommy?". Or use yourself for an example. I would say something like, "When mommy gets upset, sometimes she gets sooooo angry that she throws things and does things to make herself hurt. Is that how you feel sometimes?" (not saying that you do, but you get what I'm saying)


I'm getting my Masters in Psychology and we discussed the child mind from infancy throughout adolescence. It is very possible that he is reacting according to what he has seen or witnessed. How is his emotional and mental state besides this incident? Is there anything going on at school or home (hope this doesn't offend you just digging for answers) that could be making him respond this way? Again, it could be very well something genetically going on. We all know that mental illnesses can be passed along. Watch for signs and if it keeps happening I would take him to see a professional...Hope this helps...

We have been having major difficulties with him and lying recently. One day he came home from school telling a story about how one of the kids in his class pushed him down then jumped up and down on his back. We were furious at the school that they did not inform us immediately of that, because he could have been really hurt.... well it turns out he made the whole thing up. We had the big "boy who cries wolf" talk etc....

Another thing is, he is super sensitive. For example, one day in class it was time to go and all the kids rush to get their coats. His friend bumped him, so he starts crying and says he was 'pushed.' Well, he wasn't actually pushed, just bumped. You know how 5 year olds are, they don't pay much attention to their surroundings and have little accidents. He didn't even fall over, but he insists he was pushed.

He also gets very angry and mad. He's the most stuborn person I've ever met. Even as a baby. "Cry it out" was a joke. He could scream for hours and not tire out. He's still like that. He won't drop it. Once he gets it in his head to stand his ground on something, he doesn't give up. He will argue that the sky is purple with yellow spots if he so chooses, and give you every reason he can why he's right.

He cries pretty easy. If you tease him playfully it can make him cry. So he is very sensitive.

[Victoria'smom]

Sounds a lot like my son who's Dx. is ADHD complex, OCD. He's very sensitive but can hold grudges forever and is stubborn like his mother. He has always banged his head against walls when in time-out and will be very negative about what a horrible person he is if he gets in any trouble. He also picks at his skin and scalp. According to his ADHD doctor this along with his suicide attempt (at 8) is common for ADHD kids. Since cognitive training and ADHD medication did not help we are getting other mental health professionals opinions. We have always home schooled him because of these issues. Please help him keep a children's mood chart, do a history on him and your family. Get him to a doctor, even a therapist, whether it's because his mimicing or it's genetic he needs someone to talk to. There's nothing scarier and more heart wrenching then finding your child hurting that badly.

[faerie_moon_x]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

Sounds a lot like my son who's Dx. is ADHD complex, OCD. He's very sensitive but can hold grudges forever and is stubborn like his mother. He has always banged his head against walls when in time-out and will be very negative about what a horrible person he is if he gets in any trouble. He also picks at his skin and scalp. According to his ADHD doctor this along with his suicide attempt (at 8) is common for ADHD kids. Since cognitive training and ADHD medication did not help we are getting other mental health professionals opinions. We have always home schooled him because of these issues. Please help him keep a children's mood chart, do a history on him and your family. Get him to a doctor, even a therapist, whether it's because his mimicing or it's genetic he needs someone to talk to. There's nothing scarier and more heart wrenching then finding your child hurting that badly.

Thank you. He is due to see his doctor soon. His birthday is soon so I will get him in for that. I didn't consider keeping a children's mood chart. I will do that as well. funny, considering I track my own moods, that I didn't think of that.