Child always sick?

Question

the child ,a boy of 5 who comes from a broken home is always complaining of either a headache, or stomachache, he actually screams and his mom has to take him to emergency. he needs constant attention, the doctors can find nothing wrong with him physically. he misses his dad, who always promises to come but never does, his mom does her best to give him all the love she can. everyday at school usually after lunchtime he becomes ill, has been in the emergency room alot lately, they do cat scans, all kinds of tests and finally send them home saying they can find nothing wrong. how could one help this child, has anyone else ever had this kind of problem. they boy was an only child until 2 years ago and a sister was born, he has a bad attitude towards the younger child, and demands alot of attention on a constant basis. does anyone have any suggestions on what would help this little boy? when his mom asks him whats wrong he always says nothing. he can't understand why his dad is gone.

Answer 1

I did the same thing...but I was in middle school, I would go to the nurse's office every day after lunch. I would take him to a children's phsyc. That's what my dad did with me, and there are some really good people in that profession that will be able to talk to your boy and really get down to the problem (Im sure he is upset about his dad and jealous of new baby-both completely understandable). They will also give you ways to help him at home.

Answer 2

That's alot of stress on a little boy, and family. I know it's near the end of the school year, but if the school has an advisor or counselor they can really help the situation. A 5 year year old just doesn't have the skills to say why he feels that way. He needs coping skills and learn how to vocalize what he's feeling and be heard. Sounds like mom could use some help also. Her pediatrician can refer her to a family counselor. Many times the attention a child gets even if it's negative makes up for the attention they desire.

Answer 3

sounds like the child is jealous of the sister to start with but is also dealing with a lot change, and is unable to figure out how to deal with it....as adults we can talk about it and comprehend what it means but the pain may still be there, a child has no way of relaying this.....

i would suggest the illness is linked to this, by the need for love....not saying the child is not getting enough but if dad was the one who cared for the child or gave the child special treatment while ill, he will say he is ill to get this attention, unknowing that it will not fix it.....

time will fix things

Answer 4

It is hard when a child goes from a solid family to a broken home.  There is a constant need for attention and reassurance that they are loved and wanted.  Adding to his "troubles" is a little sister who is in need of a lot of attention.  The fact that mom in a single mom takes away from his attention and a younger sibling takes even more of "his time" with mommy away.  He needs to feel security and he has found it in the trips to the ER.  He has everyones attention there and he likes it.  He doesn't' sound like a bad kid, just a kid doing bad for attention.  What it sounds like he and Mom needs is therapy.  He needs to learn to cope with what is going on and that he is no way to blame for daddy being gone and mommy not able to be there like before.  It is complex, but I believe counseling is greatly needed and fast.  The sooner one can treat them the sooner you will see a happy, healthy (both physically and emotionally), well adjusted boy.

Answer 5

Im sure the child is feeling sick, but most likely not for a physical reason. It sounds like he is feeling unwanted, in his mind his sister has taken his spot and his father wont even come to see him. But he has found out that if he acts or is really sick he gets attention. I can relate because even though im 19 years old I love to go to the ER because I get so much attention! (really bad I know)

So maybe this kid really does get headaches, and stomach aches due to his stress of feeling unwanted, or sometimes he might fake it due to getting more attention. Either way he needs to go to a therapist to talk about everything even if he says nothing is wrong.

What you can do is just let him know that you care and let him talk if he needs to. Just spend some time with him.

Answer 6

he is faking