18 Month Old Anxiety?

No idea if it is in the "normal" range of things because so many kids have differences in how they approach the world. But in my experience it is not common to have such a severe reaction even with you there. The doctor's office makes some sense because even if the appointment is not for him, he isn't old enough to make that distinction. But if it is transfering over to ALL small rooms then I would consider seeking some professional advice. Mostly so that you can understand it better and work on ways to help ease his anxiety before things get worse. It doesn't mean he has ever had a bad experience, it just may be that from a sensory perspective a small space makes him feel strange or uncomfortable (different sounds, can't see very far away, different quality to the air). Does he have other "quirks" in terms of how he experiences the world?

Totally normal! :-)

My son was easy-going and never had separation anxiety for the first 17 months of his little life. I thought he must just be a laid back child until he - almost overnight - started just freaking out whenever I tried to leave him in a nursery at church (which he had LOVED for the last year and a half!) or even if we went to a playdate where I was with him, if we went to restaurants, doctor, etc., and especially if people came over. He turned into a different child whenever he felt threatened - he would head-butt and thrash and just scream.

It got so bad that I actually broke down in tears at his 18-month appt. and asked the pediatrician what was wrong with him! His answer: "Oh! He's being 2!" I said, "He isn't 2 yet!" He said, "He's just practicing!"

And you know what? He was right! I was 3 months pregnant with our second child when this started and was terrified he would kick me or that I wouldn't be able to physically handle him for much longer (I couldn't "make" him get in his car seat so had to alter a few plans!) and I went through MANY sleepless nights wondering if he had autism or anxiety or countless other things you hear about. I counted on my husband's help and it was honestly a VERY long 6 months with dealing with him and the pregnancy.

But then a strange thing happened. He actually turned TWO! He got a sister for his birthday and when I came home from the hospital, he was a different kid. I think part of it was just shock from his household changing and part of it was mellowing out with age. By then he could say a little more and communicate so I could explain in simple terms what we were about to do so it didn't freak him out so much. We didn't have a birthday party for him, but we DID start having 1-2 people over at a time for a play date, then 3-4 people, and so on and now if he hears a doorbell he yells, "Friends!!" and races to see who is visiting him! :-)

Sorry this is long, but I just want to let you know that I've been where you are! Your son senses that things are changing with you even if you're not showing and especially if you are! He's also going through a normal behavior cycle and it will (eventually!) get better. The best thing we did for our son was give him a sibling. Beyond that, we never - if we could help it - forced him into situations that made him uncomfortable. We had LOTS of people tell us that it would "make him stronger" to just force him to go to the nursery or out to crowded places, but we ignored them and realized that our son was trusting us to protect him and to slowly help him learn what to do in these situations.

Best of luck with the pregnancy and even if it takes a few months, you'll get your little boy back even better than he was before! :-)

I am not an expert either but I think this is within the realm of normal unless your instincts tell you differently. Like the other mom that commented, kids go through phases and even though it is alarming and stressful it usually passes. I would not make a big deal out of his behavior and just react calmly, empathetically and calmly when he acts that way. Without bringing more attention to the situation just be there and hold him or whatever he needs. If you act calmly and rationally and make him feel secure and protected then I bet he will get through this phase. I would avoid unnecessary situations that might set him off for a while too ie. if your husband or someone your son trusts can stay at home w/ him when you have to go to the dr. There have been many times where I stayed up late worrying and looking up potential behavior issues on line with my kids only for the behavior to pass a few weeks later. And for a short while (maybe a month) I could only leave my kids w/ my husband. 18 months is hard b/c they know more but can't communicate very well either.
I think that age was the worst for me b/c it is sort of the end of innocence for babies. I mean up until that age they are just so sweet, happy and want to please (for the most part) and then they start to assert their independence and it is sort of a shocker for us moms. You could also start prepping him so he knows what to expect when you do have to take him places. For example, Mama has to go to for a check up, you can sit and play w/ your dad, toys, read a book until I'm done and then we'll go home. Maybe he isn't calm enough but you could try pulling out special treats and toys to distract him too like lollipops. I don't condone candy but extreme situations call for extreme tricks and if it works then it is worth it! Good luck!

My coworker (who works with kids with types of sensory issues) suggested to me that you may want to have your son evaluated by a child phycologist or talk to your pediatrition about it. She said it sounds like a "transition" problem and he may have a hard time "regulating" his emotions during the change in environment. Good luck!

They're just tantrums. My good friend's son does this too. She's a SAHM who always stays home with him, and he keeps it that way by freaking out whenever they go anywhere. Try discipline a while before assuming it's medical.

No, its not 'normal' behavior. But that doesn't mean it can't be fixed. Please speak with your pediatrician (without him, a phone call, an email) about seeing a child pschologist or a behavior specialist. There are many conditions that can cause this but from my own personal experience, the earlier you start therapy or whatever else he needs, the better the results will be.

Good luck!

I can see how this would be very stressful for you, I am so sorry. I don't know if this is normal or not and I am no expert in this field, it seems like it might be anxiety to me. Has anything bad ever happened to him? Is he suffering any trama that he could be associating these places with? I would honestly go see a doctor about this and see where to go from here.Hopefully its a stage and it will be over soon. So sorry. I wish you the best of luck, congrats on baby #2.

I'm a little confused. Perhaps they have been deleted but I didn't see any posts saying they thought this was a result of "bad things" happening to your child. I admit I just scanned the posts.

Sensory issues are not a result of bad things happening to your child, they are just the way a child is...and sensory issues themselves are not bad either.

For example, I can't stand loud noise - I have learned to get along and live with it, however I still cringe at fireworks. Nothing bad ever happened with loud noise, I just don't like it. (I am also light sensitive too - track lighting is the worst!).

Of course it could be your child is nearly 2 and not sensory sensitive. The only reason to find out is in order to know how to make him feel comfortable and happy. That is why you wrote, correct?

I hope that helps.
S.