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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

I'm getting concerned that my 7 year old DS is developing a sickness phobia

35 replies

pinkchampagne · 22/02/2007 17:22

He has always fought being sick when he has a bug & gets quite panicky just before he's sick, but I put that down to the fact it was unpleasant for him.
Just recently he has started panicking when others are sick though, and I fear he is developing a phobia here.
Last time his younger brother was ill, he shut himself in his playroom crying, because he was scared he might catch it.
His TA told me that he backed right away from a child in class after hearing he was going home due to illness, and then last night he said that he was worried because a child in his class felt sick & he is worried that he will now catch it.
I am getting quite concerned about this now, and don't quite know the best way to deal with it.

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Original poster

pinkchampagne · 22/02/2007 17:36

Anyone know what I can do to help DS?

OP posts:

Original poster

pinkchampagne · 22/02/2007 17:59

Nobody experienced anything similar, or have any ideas how I can help DS?

OP posts:

LEMONADEGIRL · 22/02/2007 18:08

have you tried trying to gently ask him what scares him about illness. Has he seen someone be physcially sick and it scared him.

Original poster

pinkchampagne · 22/02/2007 18:18

I have just reassured him that someone else being sick doesn't have to mean he will also come down with it.
He just says that he doesn't like being sick & he's scared he will catch it when he has been near someone else who has been sick.
The freaking around others being ill is a fairly recent thing, and is concerning me.

OP posts:

mamalocco · 22/02/2007 18:24

Don't think I can be of much help, but dd1 7 is always seeking reassurance that she is not going to be sick. If anyone in the family is sick she runs a mile. If she eats an extra biscuit, sweet etc, she will always say "will it make me sick". Has done this for ages but it doesn't seem to interfer with day to day living so I just accept it. Not very practical advice - sorry!

kels666 · 22/02/2007 18:27

I'd get him professional help now as I'd say he already has the phobia. That's exactly how I was at that age and still am - and it's not fun. Better to get it sorted sooner rather the later

LEMONADEGIRL · 22/02/2007 18:37

I would try being as positive about illness as possible, it may just be a phase which he will grow out of.

LEMONADEGIRL · 22/02/2007 18:41

I don't want to unduly worry you but I have had this fear since your childs age, I agree with mamaloco addressing it now may nip it in the bud.

Original poster

pinkchampagne · 22/02/2007 18:43

That was my thinking too.
How would I go about getting him help though?

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Califrau · 22/02/2007 18:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LEMONADEGIRL · 22/02/2007 19:05

my mum took me to t.he gp and I was refered. I hope it all works out for you both

Original poster

pinkchampagne · 22/02/2007 19:11

He has always fought being sick & he is hard work when he has a bug, as he won't stand over the toilet or over a bowel, as it means accepting he's going to be ill, so he often throws up over the carpet/bed/sofa, or wherever he happens to be at the time.
I has always been quite a sicky child though. He gets travel sick & was always throwing up with tonsilitis & ear infections when he was younger. Maybe this is where it stems from.
The freaking when others are ill is a very recent thing though, and I feel very concerned he has developed a phobia.

OP posts:

Original poster

pinkchampagne · 22/02/2007 19:11

Did this help you overcome it, LG?

OP posts:

Original poster

pinkchampagne · 22/02/2007 19:13

Should say he has always been a sicky child!

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cruisemum1 · 22/02/2007 19:20

pinkchampagne - i have not read all posts but your thread caught my eye. my dd (age 9) is paranoid about vomitting. Obviously no one likes to vomit but she cannot bear even a reference to the word 'sick' when used in that context. when ds arrived 24 weeks ago she was even repelled by the idea that he was 'sick' (spitting up). But she has overcome that. I just ignore it and try not to pander to it. We had discussions before about it but to no positive avail. She is getting better but still very hypersensitive to anything to do with it and situations which may cause it.

cruisemum1 · 22/02/2007 19:21

btw - she stopped watching Dick and Dom (a childrens prog on BBC) because they constantly made reference/jokes about vomiting and it was her favourite programme at the time

LEMONADEGIRL · 22/02/2007 19:23

I can relate to the not throwing up in the toilet, it scared me as a child, my mum always tried to give me a bowl in time or it went on the floor, i think the toliet issue relates to admiting you are really going to be sick.

I have learnt to deal with it over the years, it is a hard phobia to overcome, but on a positive light I went to have a baby quite prepared that I may get morning sickness, which i did not, but I may have. I guess what i am trying to say is that as you get older ( i am 30 now) I learnt to deal with it better.

Cognitive Behaviuoral Theropy gets you to look at things in a different perspective.

Califrau · 22/02/2007 19:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Tatties · 22/02/2007 19:38

Poor ds

I remember it starting with me when I was very young - I would also run a mile if anyone was being sick near me. The denial thing sounds familiar too. I still can't bear to see a basin lying around because of what it might mean... Having said that, I don't think my phobia is as severe as many people here, but I think it would have been great for me if it had been tackled at an early age.

Original poster

pinkchampagne · 22/02/2007 20:52

My DS gets uptight just hearing the word "sick" too.
I was in a car with a friend the other day & we mentioned something about someone feeling sick, and DS suddenly said to us "Stop it, you're making me feel sick!"
Interesting that so many of you also don't like basins etc around you when you feel sick.
Was unsure whether they would do any kind of therapy on DS, with him being so young.

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pinkbubble · 22/02/2007 21:05

Oh PC that is a shame, next time your at the DRs perhaps you could mention it to them and see what they say! Hope it gets sorted for all your sakes!

Original poster

pinkchampagne · 22/02/2007 21:17

Think I will, bubble. Seems like the start of a phobia, which isn't good.

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Original poster

pinkchampagne · 28/02/2007 20:43

I think DS is developing a real fear here.
Tonight he told me that he ran & hid in school today because someone in his class was sick & he was worried because they got near to him.

OP posts:

pinkbubble · 28/02/2007 20:49

Thats sad PC, hadnt realised anyone had been ill today, DD never mentioned it. think you need help pretty quick not safe him hiding!

happybiggirl · 28/02/2007 20:53

Message withdrawn

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