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Low mood/depression in 6-year-old

Michelle&Sam

Hi everyone!

We have just been on a 3 week holiday abroad with my 6-year-old son, with ASD. 

I was a bit shocked and saddened by some of his thoughts and comments while away. 

These included things like:

  • What is wrong with my brain
  • I hate myself
  • Why am I sad all the time
  • Why am I not like other children 
  • I have bad thoughts
  • I'll hurt myself to make it better

I had no idea that a 6 year old (he only turned 6 a week ago) was capable of understanding the brain and the concepts he came out with.

He does not sleep well, he is scared of the dark and 'his imagination in his own words. Last night, when putting him to bed, I played classical meditation sleep music. He started crying and asked my why thr music makes him so sad.

I am now really worried about his mental state. We are in Scotland, and due to the long waiting lists went private to get his diagnoses. I would imagine getting NHS help with this would be the same. So here is my question:

A) who should we go and see (this will be private again)

B) has anyone else experienced this in their child?

Thank you,

Michelle

Parents Reply Children
  • in reply to Michelle&Sam

    Yeah I'd take that to the GP and ask for a referral asap, if there's not a lot of compulsions it could be what gets nicknamed "pure O" and with a family history of OCD it's very likely. "Pure O" is really distressing so it's important to get proper therapy for it quickly. (Not sure why it's called pure O as it does have some compulsions imo.)
    Pls make sure to tell your lad it's just bad worries, it doesn't mean he really thinks these things (ie they don't repesent his true values etc). Because pure O takes what we love and hold dearest and it twists and perverts it in our heads because the loss of that thing we hold sacred is what we fear the most and has become the obsession thoughts. For example if you love dogs, your intrusive thoughts might  be a fear that you could be capable of unimaginable (or sadly imaginable) cruelty to dogs.