Toddler traumatised at Doctors

[Froootlooop]

I am pro vaccines. Don't turn this into a vaccine debate please, waste your time elsewhere, each awful unnecessary comment will be reported.

DD had the MMR about 6 weeks ago maybe? She had an eye hospital check up 2 weeks ago, had a meltdown when we went into the room. And today for MY appointment at the GP surgery for something to do with MY health she had a humongous meltdown, tears like you've never seen, clinging round my neck for dear life, it was a 20 min appointment (not necessary but receptionist said it's procedure as it was for 2 things) and thank goodness it was because we had the mother of all PTSD episode 😭😭😭

I really think it's PTSD from the jabs she had. Anyone else's toddlers the same? Will she be OK by the time it's for the 2nd dose? It's about 3yo the second dose is isn't it?!

I feel so awful for her but I'm very mindful I've no doubt saved her life and others from these awful diseases.

I took her to the park immediately after and she forgot all about it.

I doubt it’s PTSD!

Nevertheless she likely remembers both appointments as being a bit uncomfortable and so associates the doctors with that.

Talking it over with her, reading some books. ‘My first’ are quite good and plying doctors and nurses will likely help.

Assuming she had the MMR broadly on schedule 3 is ages away and she’ll 1) likely have forgotten and 2) be easier to bribe with sweets

It might not be ptsd. A lot of toddlers are terrified of going to the Hair dresser but grow out of it. It might be similar to that.

Ptsd? Really?

Jesus Christ, PTSD? What on earth are you talking about? You shouldn’t wave that term around like it’s nothing.

As your pro vaccine I’ll presume she had the jabs at 12 months. She won’t be able to remember anything.

OK PTSD maybe not the right word but definitely traumatised.

No. She is 12 months old. She isn’t traumatised. Her getting upset at future appointments is just her acting her age

Really common for toddlers to start crying when visiting the Drs with mummy for a while because they remember having the jabs.
All you have to say is that “this appointment is for mummy this time, not you”.

She will soon forget if you don’t make a big issue out of it.

Upset by.

Traumatised again is word used incorrectly by many online.

Kindly OP, she doesn’t have PTSD and she isn’t traumatised. She just remembers what happened there and understandably doesn’t want it to happen again. My DS was exactly the same when we took him back to the clinic for his second chickenpox jab. He screamed the place down. Was fine within minutes of leaving. As long as she’s happy and herself away from the doctors then no harm has been done.

She doesn’t have PTSD and she isn’t ‘traumatised’. She’s scared of a scary situation. It’s normal!

That's not what PTSD is. She was scared and upset by her previous experiences which is very common. You can help her by reassuring her and giving lots of cuddles. Experiences where nothing bad happens at the doctor's will also help. She won't need any more jabs until she's about 3 and at that point you can do some role play and explain beforehand which does help a lot.

Please don't use the term PTSD or the word traumatised. I say that as someone with complex PTSD from deeply traumatic childhood experiences. Your toddler having a tantrum at the doctors and needing cuddles is not trauma. She went to the park and was fine. Your post is offensive.

Here, have a grip. Your child was upset because they were in a situation that was unfamiliar and not a place that she identified as interesting, engaging or friendly. She needed a cuddle and something to entertain her.

She's not got PTSD or has been traumatised. This is like people saying "I'm a bit ocd" to describe that they like a clean house. It's offensive.

PTSD? You’re joking right?

Come on..... A meltdown? Ptsd? Traumatised?

No baby or toddler likes the doctors and injections are usually a stressful affair but it's not lasting damage!

I am pro vaccines. Don't turn this into a vaccine debate please, waste your time elsewhere, each awful unnecessary comment will be reported

Rude!😱

She had a jab and a big cry, now she's fine.

Nope. Not that either.

The irony

In the kindest way, your being OTT.
Although jabs aren't fun she had someone loving and kind there to reassure her.
Crying there a few times after is normal too.
So yes there's some anxiety there, but you as a loving parent can support her and contain that and help her co-regulate. She'll be OK. Now it's about regulating your own emotional response so you can be the most calm solid support to her through these wobbles in life.

All toddlers hate doctors as an alien environment where they have to hang around for ages getting bored etc. If every toddler who had a melt down at docs was diagnosed with PTSD whole nation would soon be.

Yes your DD not had a nice experience with jabs but think how much more oncology kids go through and dont have PTSD - to say one jab cause so much trauma is a lil over exaggerating and as a dp of a child whos been trough chemo etc a bit PFB on your part.

Yes of she’ll have bad memories/associations of going back to the Drs for a little while.
YABVU to say she’s been traumatised and has PTSD.

Not sure what the point of your post is exactly. You seem to be wanting validation that you’ve done the right thing by making her have her jabs? If that’s the case, yes you have done the right thing, and don’t worry she’ll get used to going back to the Drs in time.

No kid likes injections and going to the doctors! No adult does either