Coping mechanism?

[IamAporcupine]

I was talking to my 6yo DS today and asked him if my clothes looked ok for work (I had a particularly important meeting).

I wasn't really expecting any deep thoughts a comment re. whether I looked nice or not, but he said "you should wear something that makes you feel confident."

I must admit I was surprised by this comment and asked him to expand, which he did. He said that when he wears X t-shirt he feels more confident and able to do things etc,
but then he said something that worried me a bit. He said: the other thing that helps is squeezing your hand/leg really hard.
When I asked him why he explained that when he has to do something that he is scared of or worried about, if he squeezes his leg really hard the pain makes him forget about the other worry.

I have no direct experience with it, so I apologise if this upsets anyone, but it sort of made me think of the relieve that people get from self-harm?

Would you be worried about this comment or do you think it is just a coping mechanism?

no one?

Hi, we're moving this thread over to our Mental Health topic at the OP's request, to hopefully get her some advice and support.

Thanks @JoanneMumsnet!

bump

Sorry OP, no advice but am bumping this for you in case anyone else has some!

I think before you get too deep into whether it's a flag for something more serious, it would be worth finding out how often he feels does it, or feels the need to.
Also, whether he got the idea from someone else and it's something he's just tried.

I think you're right to keep an eye, it does seem an unusual thing for a child so young to say.

@TheOrigRightsofwomen - thanks, good points. I will try to find out

Shit, I really hope this is just him being slightly unusual, but nothing else.

I managed to asked him this morning.
He said he did it once a looooong time ago and that he came up with it, and, that, yes, it did work!
When probed a bit more, he said, "well, maybe someone told me it, but I can't remember who."