How can I help my extremely sensitive child?

[LadyBrook]

Over the past year my 6 year old has become incredibly sensitive. He gets really upset if he loses at something, takes it really personally and massively overreacts if another kid says or does anything that he perceives as a slight, gives up if he can’t do something straight away, is a perfectionist and panics if he gets something slightly wrong, constantly complains and whines when playing with other kids, often ruins things for himself being miserable about some small detail.

I have no idea how to help him or fix things for him and it’s very upsetting because he’s ruining things for himself all the time. I’m happy to pay for any kind of therapy but I have no idea where to start, any suggestions?

For reference, he’s an only child and is very loved by both parents but we’re separated. His Dad has behavioural issues that could definitely have contributed. He’s otherwise intelligent, well behaved and not demanding. I don’t think he seems ND at all.

Sounds like he is feeling insecure about something and it's coming out that way. I'm not sure of solutions but you could try making some one to one time if it doesn't happen and try to listen and enquire (with a view to understand rather than fix things)
Once the feelings are out things might improve on their own and you've gained a new habit.
If you try too hard fixing things all the time it might be making him less tolerant of things not being right, so it's a trap to avoid.
Good luck!

I agree it sounds symptomatic of a more general insecurity or lack of confidence. When did you separate, has it emerged from this? Has there been a lot of change in his life?
Look at ways to build his sense of security (consistency, lots of cuddles and reassurance, lots of quality time together) and confidence (finding hobbies he's good at, encouraging his friendships, praise and bigging up his achievements).
Don't point out what he's doing/criticise it because you need to tackle what's underlying the behaviour rather than the behaviour itself.