childhood schizophrenia

[nineyearoldsarerude]

I am really worried about my son. Every now and then he has been telling me about strange thoughts he has been having (he is nine). Tonight he told me that something in his head keeps telling him to put his finger to the back of his throat (ie making himself gag). I am really worried that he has an illness such as schizophrenia (he has an uncle with this and I know there can be a genetic element).
Should I go to the doctor at this stage? I am really freaked out.

Poor wee lad , you must be so worried about him.
Its a very odd thing to do , but it might be something like a reaction to bullying , and not a mental illness.
TBH hes very young and often kids do strange things at times.

No harm in visting the gp and asking for advice .

Thank you for reading. There has just been a general outpouring of strange thoughts lately (like a huge confession) and I can't be sure it IS just a kid thing anymore. Feel like I have failed him in some horrible way. Maybe I will talk to gp then.

I agree, as this is something that is distressing for him, and worrying for you, it would be worth going along to the GP and letting them know about this. Your GP may want to refer your DS on to your local child psychiatry team.

Is he an anxious boy?

It is very peculiar-it is like he is treating me as a confidante for all his strange thoughts. The thing is I can't work out whether the thoughts are strange or just the voicing of them, if you see what I mean?
Is he anxious? Sometimes, but I don't know if abnormally so. He is very bright and curious but sometimes thinks he has very bad LUCK (eg if he is playing a game and it's not going well he will comment on his terrible luck and how he could forsee that he would have bad luck etc etc ad nauseum). I try to explain the concept of luck/coincidence but he can't seem to get the logic of it.
I could go on and on but it would be rambling nonsense and probably wouldn't make the situation any clearer!

I wish I could offer something useful...

Have googled and not so worried now(about my initial thoughts anyhow), thank you for listening. He had been a little unhappy at school and perhaps that wasn't helping.

It would be very unusual for a child as young as this to be diagnosed with schizophrenia.

I would have a word with his teacher and see if they have any cause for concern. Obviously teachers are familiar with a wide range of behaviours and may be able to either put your mind at rest straightaway, or agree to keep an eye on him for a little while.

Thanks, we have parent/teacher evening coming up shortly and will have a chat then.