Paranoid daughter

[LaMexicana]

My daughter is 5. She's a very artistic, caring child and she's been easy going for most of her life. Recently, she has shown signs of paranoia and anxiety. She forgets small tasks like how to use a glue stick, how to turn off the faucets in the shower, how to write letters. Stuff I know she knows how to do. She has a hard time socializing with children her age but does just fine with little ones, she's like a little mommy. When it comes to her classmates, she gets along for the most part but if she is on her own, and there are a group of children across the room, she starts screaming 'Don't look at me', 'Don't touch me', 'Don't talk to me' even if they are not doing any of those things.

Last night, she had, what I think, was an anxiety attack. She was in the shower and all of a sudden she couldn't remember how to turn off the faucets. I couldn't help her right away because I was cooking (and ended up burning my food due to this debacle) and she started screaming bloody murder. I tried to direct her and she just kept screaming which made me scream. I had to walk away because my patience had disappeared and she ran out of the shower, naked and soaking wet, screaming her head off, jumping around and falling. Her entire body was red from falling. I started crying. Somehow she finally turned off the water but kept crying. She then told me she was tired and that her heart hurt.

It was a mad house. I'm shocked that my neighbors didn't call the cops on me because I'm sure it sounded like I was beating her.

Anyway, has anyone else experienced this? Is it normal? I'm going to make an appointment for her but I hate the idea that my daughter might need psychiatric help.

 

[happyjoy]

My daughter is 5. She's a very artistic, caring child and she's been easy going for most of her life. Recently, she has shown signs of paranoia and anxiety. She forgets small tasks like how to use a glue stick, how to turn off the faucets in the shower, how to write letters. Stuff I know she knows how to do. She has a hard time socializing with children her age but does just fine with little ones, she's like a little mommy. When it comes to her classmates, she gets along for the most part but if she is on her own, and there are a group of children across the room, she starts screaming 'Don't look at me', 'Don't touch me', 'Don't talk to me' even if they are not doing any of those things.

Last night, she had, what I think, was an anxiety attack. She was in the shower and all of a sudden she couldn't remember how to turn off the faucets. I couldn't help her right away because I was cooking (and ended up burning my food due to this debacle) and she started screaming bloody murder. I tried to direct her and she just kept screaming which made me scream. I had to walk away because my patience had disappeared and she ran out of the shower, naked and soaking wet, screaming her head off, jumping around and falling. Her entire body was red from falling. I started crying. Somehow she finally turned off the water but kept crying. She then told me she was tired and that her heart hurt.

It was a mad house. I'm shocked that my neighbors didn't call the cops on me because I'm sure it sounded like I was beating her.

Anyway, has anyone else experienced this? Is it normal? I'm going to make an appointment for her but I hate the idea that my daughter might need psychiatric help.

She needs help, and it is good that you are getting her some.

Things to think about. How much caffeine or other prescription or non prescription drugs does she take? Do only give her organic milk? Non organic milk contains powerful hormones that can change emotions even the point of paranoia.

 

[heather]

I'm so sorry she's going through this. But I would wonder if maybe it wasn't hormonally related. There's so many hormone producing glands that can be slightly messed up. I might even wonder if she had a growth problem. I would definitely start with her pediatrician, and then go to a psychologist (not a psychiatrist) to figure this out. And above all, take it to God in prayer that He would heal her and give you the strength and patience to deal with what she needs you for.

 

[LaMexicana]

Well, as far as food goes, we're very healthy and she has a really good appetite...I call her my bottomelss pit because she eats so much (but she's at a very healthy weight) Actually, in the past couples weeks her appetite has kind of disappeared which is very strange and might be related to her behavior. I don't give her caffeine or meds and we only drink organic milk. She loves veggies, boiled eggs, whole wheat bread, etc. Like I said, we eat very well for the most part. But I think there is some sort of imbalance going on, I just don't know the culprit.

She has been having issues at school for a while as far as socializing. But she forgets a lot of things. How to do simple tasks...she doesn't even remember when I pray for her. We pray every night and sometimes she'll come out of her room about a minute later and tell me we didn't pray...it's very strange and a little frightening.

My mom prays with her and for her because she knows we have a tough situation with me being alone to raise her. It has been pretty easy up until recently.

 

[Mike]

My 8-year-old daughter seems closely related, but her anxiety doesn't manifest itself in tantrums. She just has anxiety and worries insensibly. If something worries her, we find it hard to redirect her, and she dwells on it. Some are very unwarranted. She has an obsession with the fear that the toilet will overflow.

She doesn't seem to forget how to do the types of things you suggest, but she struggles in school. She forgets or can't comprehend basic concepts. She will know a word in a book and have no idea when it appears later on the same page.

We fostered her and eventually adopted her and her sister, so we don't know anything about her prenatal and post-natal care.

We are having her tested on several fronts. I pray you and we find our answers.

 

[destiny]

LaMex... Is there a source of where this behavior could be coming from, did anything major change in her life recently?

 

[LaMexicana]

LaMex... Is there a source of where this behavior could be coming from, did anything major change in her life recently?

Not that I can think of. It actually all started happening this year (her second round in pre k because she wasn't old enough for kindergarten) She doesn't have the best teacher in the world but she is the only pre k teacher and I have no choice. Her dad isn't around and I know she longs for that but she has always adjusted pretty well to our situation. Everything seems to have started at once. Nail biting, biting her lower lip, fighting, hitting, not sleeping, not eating, forgetting things...it seems like it all came when she turned 5. I would say the majority of the time (about 98%) she's ok. Calm, happy, sweet...she's a good kid. For whatever reason, school is hard for her. I partly blame the teacher...I can tell she has her favorites and my daughter isn't one of them. I just don't want this behavior to rollover into kindergarten.

 

[Relic]

.

Do you give her any processed foods, hot dogs, lunch meats etc?

If it's not a reaction to some foods, I would go over what was happening "the past couples weeks" ago.

Did she face some tramatic experience with anyone at home, in school or some other places?

Kids tend to invert when they are mistreated or neglected, or had been witness to something that tramatized them in some way. You need to find out if it's food reactions or if it's from some past experience she was exposed to a "couple of weeks ago".

Keep a close eye on her to see when she tends to act up, what triggers it. Even if it's over simple things that are not related to some form of abusive treatment towards her.

She is being moody for a reason. Did you move recently? Get divorced? Does she miss anyone, does she not want to see a particular person, does she act up or clam up in front of any certain individuals?

Ask question for youself and keep a log of when you notice things peculiar. Don't let her see you making the journal. Keep your investigating to yourself and don't involve her in any intense interrogation but be natural in your questioning her. She needs gentle treatment now and understanding. And assurance that you will be there for her with your support when things get confusing to her. Getting frustrated in front of her will only escalate her moodiness and tantrums. You need to be the image of assurance and emotional strength for her right now. Don't break down in front of her. She needs mommy to be her guiding light without mommy getting too upset when she messes up in being confused.

Food, or experience she's had that brought this about... is the starting point.

Don't leave her alone with anyone now. She needs to be with you for assurance that no harm will come to her. If she is withdrawn more than usual, right now.

I give this these suggestion to you as friendly advice. If you think you need to take her to counseling, please make sure you get "Christian" counseling and not new agers who pose as workers in some Christian organization.

Just some suggestions for you from a 58 year old grandma here.

God Bless,
Know that all of us here will all be praying for you.

.

 

[destiny]

Something could be going on at school, she may be getting picked on or just stressed out from demands she may not be ready for. Some teachers have a knack for teaching but some make it very hard on a small child.
If everything at home is the same then I would be suspicious of what could be going on at school.. or anywhere else she spends time away from home. Just some thoughts to consider before she is put on any kind of medication.

 

[micaela]

I also have a 5 year old daughter. I can't imagine what you are going through. I know I would be worried out of my mind if my daughter's behavior changed so drastically. I am in college studying to be a psychologist right now, but the best advice that I could give you, is to talk to a professional and let them know whats been going on. Tell them all about the changes in her behavior and how she's forgetting things and everything else. They can give you some good advice and maybe shed some light on what's going on. They can also help your daughter work on some good coping skills to deal with the anxiety she is feeling. But the #1 thing you can do is PRAY.

GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR CHILD!