Can my 4 year old son die from getting so upset thAt he holds his breath and passes out?

Question

he gets mad starts to cry turns blue - purple and passes fully out gets stiff then after a while wakes up and is disorenentede

Answer 1

He is using this as a power struggle. As the other writers have said, he cannot die from it- he will start breathing again as soon as he passes out.

Don't mollycoddle him: he will learn that his behavior works. What you really want to do is ignore him. He needs to learn that you will not allow him to be the center of attention as long as he is acting foolish. As soon as he starts behaving appropriately, give him attention.

When you are ignoring him, you need to tell him that you are ignoring him and then do it. Don't repeat it. You are actually attending- you don't want him to get hurt, but don't let him know you are watching. As soon as he is behaving, tell him that you like what he is doing - not that you like what he isn't doing. Whenever he accepts something without getting out of hand, tell him. He has learned this negative behavior- now you have to teach him positive behaviors.

Answer 2

no.

but passing out like that kills brain cells so try to stop him from doing it or punish him when he does

Answer 3

No he can't die and he won't hurt his brain either.

Breath holding has always been considered a sign of an intelligent child. Take heart, though it sucks right now, it bodes well for his future. He'll grow out of the breath holding, but he'll always be smart.

Answer 4

I'd check with a doctor just to be sure that something serious isn't happening, even if it's not life-threatening. If he gets stiff, that would concern me. Also being disoriented when he wakes up, may be a concern. Brain cells begin to die from lack of oxygen.

Answer 5

No my ped. told me that it was normal and would not cause any problems. some kids just do it. My sister was the same way. I would talk to your doc about it anyway at your next appoitment. But from what i was told by mine is that it is totaly normal.

Answer 6

ok it possible some time my sister kid well sart to cry and her face well trund bright red and she well not sopt but if he kept do it then take him to the doctro

Answer 7

my mom told me i used to do the same thing when i didn't get my own way , and im fine ...  

Answer 8

No you can't die from it...it is very scary, but just a normal phase ( or so i am told!)....

I was also told by my child's doctor that the more you get upset by it and they see your reaction, the more they will do it for the attention...

the advice i was given was to divert my attention to something else, ( yet be close enough to keep an eye on them) and just pretend not to be interested. As hard as it is, when they see that you are not affected by it, they do find something else to drive you crazy with...

good Luck.

x x

Answer 9

Nope, my niece used to do this all the time.

Answer 10

Nope.

As soon as he passes out he starts breathing again.