6 year old tried to hurt herself :(

She has had a really rough few days, but I am trying so hard to be patient. I haven't spanked her in a while. But I caught her with a safety pin stabbing her wrist . I took it away from her and told her we were going to timeout to talk about what she was doing. I just left a message for her therapist asking if we can see her tomorrow and if she could call me back tonight because it's an emergency. This is awful.

Any tips or help would be great

I think it is very good that you are getting her therapist involved quickly. I don't have any tips for you. Just give her a lot of love.

I hate to ask...& know it's a personal thing. I'm not being judgmental, just curious.
Why do you spank her?

Don't show any anger to her right now.

When we get scared and worried for the safety of a child, it's sooo easy for our reactions to seem angry. Just keep calm, keep showing her love and affection, and keep a close eye on her. And subtly remove any other objects she could potentially use.

Have you asked her about what she's feeling and what would make her feel happier?

Ask her why? apologise to her for her feeling so bad. Ask her why she didn't come to you. Slowly childproof your house. Most likely she's done this before.

tell how you don't want her to be hurt, tell her she's important, tell her you guys can get through this together...

I agree with not spanking or putting her in time out! You want her to come to you with her hurts and problems, not hide them from you as she grows and that is what will happen if she fears punishment. She is trying to relieve her emotional pain by hurting herself physically. That is why they do it. What did her therapist say? I know she is young, but she is displaying a lot of bipolar symptoms and no matter what anyone else says, yes, they can be diagnosed with it as a child. The sooner it is diagnosed and they get the appropriate medication, the milder the disease (as long as they stay on it for several years) tends to be in adulthood.


Nancy

How is she doing in school?

I can deal with not spanking but I still have to put her in timeout or her behavior will be out of control.
Her therapist has mentioned the bipolar symptoms

Very well. She gets perfect grades. She's been sent home a few times, once for bad behavior and once for excessive crying. He learned her lesson about the bad behavior and now behaves at school.

Just for the record, bipolar and PTSD are easily mixed up. We know that she's had a LOT of trauma so there is definitely PTSD going on. Could there be bipolar as well? Sure, but there's no way to know for sure until she's been more stabilized in regards to her trauma.

I don't agree with spanking, if she is distressed the last thing she needs is a hiding all that will do is make her distrust you.
I started biting my self when I five. My mother was a cold woman, I was never hugged or cuddled. Self harm was my way of releasing emotional distress.
BioAdoptMom3
I know she is young, but she is displaying a lot of bipolar symptoms and no matter what anyone else says, yes, they can be diagnosed with it as a child.
I agree with this. The idea only adults can be bi polar is wrong the signs can be there early.

Just read your profile. Poor kid, no wonder shes self harming. I think PTSD is likely.
A child with R.A.D can be very hard to look after.

imo...diagnosis is a bit irrelevant at this point...she has some pretty heavy trauma experiences and right now safety and medical issues need to be addressed....

Thats what her therapist said today!

You should not put her in timeout for hurting herself. She already dislikes herself enough.

If this is a symptom of her illness, she can't help it. Seems pretty unfair.