8 Year Old Debbie Downer; really?

[ebtbmom]

This is my ds too. He did have anxiety issues when he was younger and did see a psychologist. There was a time when he seemed like it all passed, but he does see alot thing negatively. He is not doing it for attention, its just how he is. I'm thinking of getting him back to the psychologist because I don't want it to get worse for him the older he gets.

Some kids may be doing thing for attention, but some may truly need help, and not from another child straightening them out.
OP, it is possible that this girl is having anxiety/depression issues and that is why she responds the ways she does, and its not always a case of just being grumpy.

How old is your son now? I have noticed that my son has gotten worse as he's gotten older. I thought he would get better at being able to put his fears into perspective, but now that he's older he understands more of the problems in the world and applies them to his own life.

I'm hoping the therapy will help. We've only just started so it's hard to say yet. The therapist is really positive and upbeat though. She acted like this was fixable with some thinking redirection (not meds!). Good luck with yours.

 

[honugirl]

I'd have her tested to see if there's anything else going on with her hormonally or otherwise. I've been a "debbie downer" most of my life, but I was also suffering from an undiagnosed pituitary tumor. On a good day, I'm happy as a clam, but when that thing fires itself up, I'll spit vim and vinegar at anyone.

Some people argue a lot because it actually stimulates some part of their brain that isn't making enough of the neurotransmitters that "normal" people have. It's a way of self-medicating if you want to call it that.

Depending on the time of day you're dealing with her might be an issue too. I am not a morning person. It's best not to talk to me during that time. I will bite your head of for something because I simply don't feel well. My meds and stuff make mornings very difficult.

My advice is to just go along like everything is normal. Say hi, be cordial, include her in the conversation if you can, but some people just aren't people people or they're having a moment where they have to be around people when all they want to do is be at home. I also might ask her if she's feeling OK. When I feel bad, I just don't want to be around people at all, no matter how much I like them or how friendly they are.

 

[luvmy3]

How old is your son now? I have noticed that my son has gotten worse as he's gotten older. I thought he would get better at being able to put his fears into perspective, but now that he's older he understands more of the problems in the world and applies them to his own life.

I'm hoping the therapy will help. We've only just started so it's hard to say yet. The therapist is really positive and upbeat though. She acted like this was fixable with some thinking redirection (not meds!). Good luck with yours.

My ds is 8, almost 9. He was in therapy when he was 5-6 years old and had made progress. There was no need for medication, so thereapy alone can work, I guess the key is to stay with. We had decided to take him out of therapy and work with him using everything the psychologist suggested we do. He had great improvement with his anxiety but he never seemed to shake the negative outlook, and also he was low self esteem. I have noticed the negativity is getting worse, and I thought it would get better too. I think you are right about being older and understanding things more, I was just expecting as he got older the better he'd be able to deal with it. My dh and I are not in agreement about therapy, he thinks its *just how he is*, but I think he could be helped and I don't want it to lead to depression. He isn't an unhappy child all the time, he has his good days and bad, I just wish there weren't as many bad.

Good luck to you and your ds too