Hi. I found this forum on a general search of the internet this afternoon after another horrid phone session with my eight year old daughter. (she will be nine in May). I'll try to explain the situation as briefly but fully as i possibly can. In all my years of child care, little siblings, and parenting i've never been at a loss like this. I have no idea where to turn, or if i'm just over-reacting and have just been lucky with my other two. My son was difficult with bed wetting and emotional things for several years, but he grew out of it. The story.
I am truly and deeply concerned that my daughter has a mental illness. At eight years old i didn't think i would still be dealing with what are essentially temper tantrums. Her father and I live seperately, but we communicate well. We have used every form of communication and discipline on the face of the planet. She is not moving on from this phase, it seems to be escalating into self harm and a potential over-eating disorder.
She is good in school, educationally, smart, sometimes she speaks in words and ways that seem way above where an eight year old should be. She loves to draw (like her mother) and is not a "bad" kid. She has social problems at school occasionally, teasing, but she is incredibly bossy with other children. She gets bored, easily and it is never enough for her.
The fits: She gets so worked up, usually over little things, things that make her angry, being told no, she talks back, snaps at us. She melts down and it's for hours. She screams repeatedly no matter how calm we are, she plays the victim and makes herself ill. It is like an anxiety attack, but somehow worse :/ once it hits critical, she will hit her head on the wall.
Recently her father is having to combat her using food for her boredom. We do things with her, draw, paint, i hand made her a dollhouse for christmas last year, we go on walks, to park, and today it was over her father taking a final online. She lashed out at him and it escalated into a full meltdown for two hours. He grounded her, and it got worse. she is calm now, but this happens often. Too often. once, twice, sometimes more a week.
I almost posted this in special needs. I realize that i may have to take her to have her diagnosed. I just wanted to see if other parents know these symptoms, have experienced them, because honestly the last thing i want is to medicate my child.
Thank you for reading.
I am truly and deeply concerned that my daughter has a mental illness. At eight years old i didn't think i would still be dealing with what are essentially temper tantrums. Her father and I live seperately, but we communicate well. We have used every form of communication and discipline on the face of the planet. She is not moving on from this phase, it seems to be escalating into self harm and a potential over-eating disorder.
She is good in school, educationally, smart, sometimes she speaks in words and ways that seem way above where an eight year old should be. She loves to draw (like her mother) and is not a "bad" kid. She has social problems at school occasionally, teasing, but she is incredibly bossy with other children. She gets bored, easily and it is never enough for her.
The fits: She gets so worked up, usually over little things, things that make her angry, being told no, she talks back, snaps at us. She melts down and it's for hours. She screams repeatedly no matter how calm we are, she plays the victim and makes herself ill. It is like an anxiety attack, but somehow worse :/ once it hits critical, she will hit her head on the wall.
Recently her father is having to combat her using food for her boredom. We do things with her, draw, paint, i hand made her a dollhouse for christmas last year, we go on walks, to park, and today it was over her father taking a final online. She lashed out at him and it escalated into a full meltdown for two hours. He grounded her, and it got worse. she is calm now, but this happens often. Too often. once, twice, sometimes more a week.
I almost posted this in special needs. I realize that i may have to take her to have her diagnosed. I just wanted to see if other parents know these symptoms, have experienced them, because honestly the last thing i want is to medicate my child.
Thank you for reading.
