Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy DS so unhappy and unable to articulate why

Hi Angie, thanks for your comments!

I have spoken to a therapist about him and he gave me some great ideas and feedback. The first ones had to do with getting him more balance - more sleep, less screen time, more exercise - which we were working on before Christmas and have to get back to.

He also said that emotions and lack of sleep (he has trouble getting to sleep) tend to build to a day where he just isn't able to cope and that it's okay to give him a day at home so he can restore his energy. Preventative measures really.

With the amount of school he has been missing we've been quite firm about how you have to go and can't just miss school if you're a bit off so this was quite freeing. His teacher agreed that it was a good idea and supports me/us in this. Yay! The tricky thing will be in doing it carefully so he doesn't feel like he has a skip school card (though I won't explain it to him ahead of time).

I'll keep trying to figure out how to convince him to see a therapist. If anyone has ideas I'm open.

Have you looked at any anxiety books? They may help. Just a suggestion. I've been using an anxiety & phobia workbook by Edmund Bourne with ds10 on/off at times and trying to override his negative self-talk loops, mild depression, lack of sleep, etc. I'm sure you can find similar self-help anxiety books at your public library if they don't have this particular one.

It's not a miracle cure though and it might require some effort and patience on your part. However, it might help. You could try to go through some of the ways to help your son think more positively and have more confidence and boost his self-esteem. We recently did a big move and it sent my son into a tailspin socially and emotionally. He hasn't been coping too well either so I can commiserate with you.

A few years ago we tried the therapist route with our son but she really was out of her element with ds and didn't know what to do or suggest. IF you can find a therapist who has experience with gifted kids, then you might find success - and I really hope you do if you seek one out.