Five Year Old w/ issues..again

[nicolewi]

auroraloo or whoever. Posting here b/c I posted previously here on this topic, even though the board is pretty dead. 

I posted previously about my 5 year old. She had a really rough couple weeks in winter, was doing better, and is now having a hard time again. It's getting really difficult and I don't know if I am parenting wrong and she's just playing me, or whether something is really wrong (i.e. anxiety or OCD or something). I called to get her into counseling for anxiety, b/c I think maybe that's partly it??, but there is a wait list. 

Tonight we tried to go for a family walk. We stopped to see the neighbor's new puppy. She started freaking out being scared of the puppy, and then also freaking out b/c she hadn't touched the puppy, and after we thought she did finally touch him we started to leave, but then she FLIPPED OUT screaming and crying that she hadn't touched it! We had to go back home while she screamed, kicked, yelled and DH carried her. Inside, she kept screaming and crying and saying she couldn't breathe until she finally calmed down. 

WHAT THE HECK IS THIS? Is she having a panic attack?? Anyone's kid do things like this?

I'm really struggling with how to handle things with her. The scene tonight was obviously really embarrassing as three sets of neighbors watched the whole screaming ordeal. 

Also, a couple days ago she had an all-out screaming crazy scene at the botanical gardens. She got a small sliver of wood in her hand from a fence but it was still sticking out...no big deal to yank it. She started running away and was super upset that it was in her hand, but also scared to have us touch it and again was screaming and crying until I basically held her down and pulled it out (before it could work in and get worse!). 

She also tells us multiple times when she is going outside. I.e. I say, "Go outside and play." She says, "Mom, can I go outside?" I reply, "Yes! I just suggested it! Yes!" She says okay. (pause) "Mom, I'm going outside now." "Mom, I'm going outside!"

I have to find that anxious toddler podcast but in the meantime am not sure what is going on or how to handle this.

[wildfloweragain]

My daughter's anxiety started at age 6 just like that last part, about the asking multiple times.



Sent from my SM-G900V using proboards

[auroraloo]

Listen to the podcasts. anxioustoddler.com is the website and it has a lot of info on it too. Sounds just like my anxious kid.

[cjcouple]

Definitely sounds like a mix of anxiety and/or fear. I think couseling is a good idea. She will learn to cope with her feelings in the moment. Techniques to use, finding root causes etc.

Don't beat yourself up, you are doing a great job. My 11yo son needs reassurances exactly like the last example as well. Every single night before school and again every morning we need to repeat the plan for afterschool (taking bus, or parent pickup, exact times I am picking up, practice times. Basically a run down of the anticipated evening). I just stay calm and reassure him. He thrives on routine.

[erbear]

Is the onset sudden?

Has she had strep lately?

Take her to your pedi and insist on a strep blood titer. My daughter had a similar summer and was diagnosed with PANDAS.

[nicolewi]

erbear, no, not sudden. Looking back I can see examples of her flipping out over the past couple of years, but I thought at the time they were random toddler episodes. Also no known strep. Thank you, though. That is a good thing to consider. Hope your daughter is doing well.

[lexus]

We also use a workbook meant for anxious kids and read children’s books on anxiety. I recommend that while you wait for therapy.