My 12 year old daughter is suddenly extremely fearful of death and dying. The topics that seem to freak her out the most are global warming, jonbenet ramsey, and auto accidents. She is extremely fearful that she will die one of these ways. I guess it doesn't help she strongly resembles Jonbenet..maybe someone said something to her. I don't know how to make her feel better. Do you think she needs counseling?
2007-01-07 22:10:44 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
Your daughter sounds as if she is a very sensitive caring and a intuitive person.My daughters had the same thoughts and fears,but being honest with them,and discussing their fears and issues with them,put them at ease. I am a counsellor and I don't think that your daughter needs counselling unless these thoughts and issues are consuming her daily life where they are interfering with things such as her concentrating at school,and her sleep.I hope that your daughter over comes her fears real soon.Take care.
2007-01-07 22:29:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
How did she hear about jonbenet? She is projecting the fear she hears at home from your own conversations either directly with her or within earshot of her.
Put locks on her bedroom windows and don't make her enter any pageants and that should suffice. It isn't normal to have such a phobia. She may need anti-anxiety medication. Talk with her pediatrician and he can determine what course of action to take.
While death is sad it is also a normal part of the cycle of life.
2007-01-08 00:37:59 · answer #2 · answered by GrnApl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmm...I won't say it's the norm, but it isn't too out there. I had the same thing happen when I was that age.
I skiied when I was little, and used to do insane things and tricks that my parents wouldn't do, because I was unaware of my mortality and that I could die.
I got older, figured out what I could do to myself, and now I'm terrified of more than a few inches of air.
It happens. I don't think she needs counseling, it's most likely just a phase as she's learning about the less pretty aspects of the world.
However, if it lasts more than a year or so, or if she gets terrified to leave the house or something, then you might consider getting her help. Use your own best judgement.
2007-01-07 22:14:25 · answer #3 · answered by Kat Hopkins 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately this is becoming common phobia in youths these day.
This fear took a long time of my life, and I still wake up grasping for life, thinking I am dying.
Professional Counselling is good idea. But best way to make her feel better is by showing her support and that you are understanding her fear. Keep her busy with activities, because if she is free, she is thinking about her fear and this is not just fear, it will make her sick and she might develope mental sickness.
Make sure she is occupied with energitic activities and sacrifice your time to take her out some gardens and park where she see people. This is because she is young and will not have that sort of understanding (about death) although she will develope understanding later, natural way of accepting life and whatever coming. Just make sure she does not do anything crazy to herself.
Let her see the bright side, fact that death is inevitable, thought of how it will occur to self takes away brilliance of days one is living.
2007-01-07 22:21:01 · answer #4 · answered by Cspeedy 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think it's probably nothing to worry about. She's at that age where she could be starting to think about life and death. I would have a good open discussion about it with her and let her know what your beliefs are on the subject. Eventually her fears of meeting a violent or untimely end should ease, but if she continues to be unreasonably fearful, you may want to consider having her talk to someone.
2007-01-07 22:26:00 · answer #5 · answered by pink.vixie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When i was that age I thought of death all the time. I was afraid of everything. Plane crashes, car explosions, getting hit by a car, being burned in a fire even being burried alive. You name it I was in it. By the time I was maybe 20 I wasnt focusing on it so much.(I'm 46 now and dont think much about it) I've raised 3 teenagers and they went through the same thing. Teens and pre-teens have a lot of emotions that they dont understand yet. She should be fine.
2007-01-07 22:16:51 · answer #6 · answered by Chicago Girl 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Kids have fears.Its natural.My daughters friend worries about her parents dying in a car crash.She is 12.It wont hurt to have counseling in light of all the things that are happening today just for the sake of reassurance
2007-01-07 22:15:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is very normal at her age. You could try counseling if these fears are interfering with daily life, but make sure she knows that counseling is for her own comfort, if she is a willing participant, because her thoughts and fears are extremely normal.
2007-01-07 22:14:46 · answer #8 · answered by annieohbee 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, maybe not if she was a little younger. She is going into middle school next year, definately.
Take her off of any ADD drugs that could cause the fearfulness. It is a common side-effect.
2007-01-08 16:02:27 · answer #9 · answered by Steve C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what happened to jonbenet struck the whole country....she feels this cause she died at about your daughter's age, something that lingers in your daughter's mind....
Start with you and your partener in making her realize how beautiful life is....the converse is the answer....
But in some cases, you could actually outgrow it....we have our own fears when we were young, hope your daughter would outgrow as we did
My Prayers for your daughter
2007-01-07 22:17:08 · answer #10 · answered by Iggie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋