I have a 7 year old son in 2nd grade. He is having some emotional problems. What should I do?

Question

My 7 year old son is very emotional. It had gotten to the point where talking to him about anything might set him off. He cries and yells and sometimes hurts himself. I'm not guiet sure what to do. I don't want to take him to a doctor who will just put him on medicine and send us on our way. If anyone has had a simular situation please let me know.

Answer 1

You could take him to a local community mental health center with therapists and counselors that specialize in dealing with children with emotional problems. You could also see your family doctor who could recommend some possible options for you. Just make sure you tell your doctor your preferences about medication.

A 7-year-old who is yelling and hurting himself is a child who is unable to communicate his feelings and tell you that he's mad, sad, scared, worried, hurt, unsafe, etc. He can't express those feelings so he's doing other thigns to tell you, and those things just happen to be hurtful and unsafe.

Something to think about that may not sit well with you, but I see it alot: you might consider family therapy because a lot of kids that come into therapy because of problems at home. The parents don't often want to admit it, but children are a product of their environment, so you might consider going to family counseling to see if there are things that the family can do to help him. Not to say it's anyone's fault, but the child is not living in a vacuum, so he's obviously reacting to things he's seeing or hearing in some way, shape, or form. Also, family therapy can help you learn to help him express those feelings he can't express. Maybe he's just having trouble communicating with you and you can learn ways to help communicate with him better.

Answer 2

Amber i can see your fear but i would suggest that you take him to a Dr, ASAP, maybe your child just needs some early intervention, he is having an emotionally difficult time, somehow and younger children do not know how to handle these emotions, Therapy, or a child psychologist may due the trick, maybe something more serious is involved , a chemical imbalance, or other health issue is playing the part.
I would absolutely urge you to seek help for you son and ways in which you can help him too , It may just be a loud cry for attention, Or like i said something more to look into , bu t i feel like the longer you wait the more out of hand things could get , "everything" when intervened or handled early on , can be solved some how... I wish you the best!

Answer 3

I would send him to the gifted school. A four year old who can read on his own is simply going to be bored to tears in an ordinary school. The one thing that worries me is that two of the things you see as a bad thing in the local school I'd see as a positive. Parents continually in the classroom whenever they want to be _does_ interfere with the teacher teaching, and having all kids play an instrument is a huge plus, because otherwise most boys get intimidated out of even trying. Do you plan to be a helicopter parent, and are you going to let your son say "no" to every opportunity he isn't 100% sure about? Can you find a safe way to get your son there? For instance, can you do the train ride with him, put him on the bus, and come home again? Is there an older student at the school - or a teacher - who travels the same route? And your son needs a cellphone and practice in using it - before he needs it. I'm a bit worried about him never being away from home before, though? Can't you get him into a playgroup for a couple of mornings a week, at the very least? Even starting a local school for mornings is a huge thing for kids who have never had to trust an adult who isn't you before.

Answer 4

i have a seven year old who has been having the same problems. it started about 1 1/2 years agos. we did not want to medicate him so we sent him to counselling and it did help. we also had him tested for adhd 4 months ago and none have him on medication. it got to the point where all he every talked about was hurting himself or his brother, and the fits he threw got worse. i did not want to medicate him but sometimes it is the right answer. medication along with counselling has made a huge difference in his life and the rest of the family.

Answer 5

Get him to a Dr! Once he has been checked out you will be able to determine what is the best course of action. I have a son who is 11 years old. Two years ago he started having outbursts in school. I immediately took him to a counselor and it was the best thing for both of us. I also found out while in counseling that he had tried to kill himself in school and no one had any idea. Now he is more open to talking about things that upset him rather than keeping it all inside until it bursts out.

Answer 6

I am a special education teacher w/ 8 years of experience. I would talk to the school counselor/social worker and get help from them. Also, talk to your doctor about his problems, he may have other suggestions besides medication. Is his behavior problems affecting his schooling, or is it mainly problems at home? How long has this been going on? Any changes at home? Is the problem just around you or with any other adult? (They are some questions they will ask you).

Answer 7

You have no idea what's wrong with him. He could have a brain tumor--refusing to see a medical doctor is diagnosing him yourself as mentally ill. It might not be the case. Even if it is, doctors don't prescribe psychotropic drugs to children and send you "on your way."

Those drugs you don't like saved the lives of my father, my two sons, and me. We all came very close to suicide at one time or another and only medication, like insulin for diabetics, because we don't make or use the brain chemicals we need, made it possible to go on living.

Answer 8

By all means do not give him medication that could help even out chemistry!! Let him battle it out himself. I would definitely not taking him for counseling. They might want him evaluated. Just let him rule the roost

Answer 9

Sweet pea what i recommend is finding a counselor that will not give him meds and someone you can trust. Have you thought about the child's father is he in the picture or what? If not this may be the cause for his emotional break downs!

Answer 10

Definitely take him to a psychologist. If money is an issue, check with your school district. They should have a psychologist on staff. Please do not wait any longer. The faster you can get him in to see someone, the faster things will start to get better.