Last night my 5 year old told me and my wife he was ugly and no one wants to play with him. We asked some questions and he says that when he is at school a skeleton ghost who can be very big or very small tells him that he is ugly and no one wants to play with him. He was very upset when he told us that he was ugly, but not really that upset or scared when he was telling us about the skeleton ghost. He says that he doesn't see the ghost, it is in his head. I asked if this was his imagination or if he was pretending and he very adamantly says he is not. He also says that the skeleton ghost tells other kids to not play with him but they can't hear him only my son can. He also said that the skeleton ghost has ghost hands and that the skeleton ghost reaches into the his brain computer ( he says his brain computer is different than his brain) and pushes a button that makes an unpleasant sound, MER MER MER, and he doesn't like it. I know this sounds crazy but he is 5 and has a normal active imagination. If it's just his imagination I don't know why it would be telling him negative things about himself. If anyone has any advice I would appreciate it.
Thank you all very much. We were leaning towards a child psychologist but he's our oldest and he's never said anything even close to this so we didn't know what to do except to tell him how handsome and awesome he is. He is a very happy active and funny boy, so we were just complety blind sided by this. Thanks again for your advice I will keep checking back for any further advice.
I agree with going to the doctor and asking for a pediatric psychiatrist referral. You are describing symptoms common to schizophrenia. This does not mean he has it, it just means the way you explained it here makes me think of that first.
Talk to your pediatrician about it.
It might be imagination and it might not be.
That the voice is saying negative things, calling him ugly, etc would worry me.
Talking to a psychiatrist might be a good idea so you and he can figure out how to handle it.
I'm glad your kid has a fther like you who listens so carefully and attentively. I'm sure you'll get this figured out.
Best,
F. B.
I agree with bringing it up with his doctor.
If he is typically very imaginative, and is generally happy, I wouldn't worry about it. I would give him some light, reassuring advice, "Well, that skeleton ghost sure has bad taste because you are definitely adorable!" Or something to that effect.
If he generally seems unhappy and is having social problems at school, and such talk continues, a doctor visit is definitely in order.
5 year olds can say some pretty interesting things.
I would definitely take him to his doctor. This may be an emotional problem that he is unable to sort out on his own, and a therapist may be able to help him. The unpleasant sound he describes is also concerning, that may be a neurological problem (epilepsy for example involves strange sounds or visual disturbances). Best of luck with your precious child!
He's 5.
He's your oldest.
Listen to your gut on this O..
Yes, time to get the pediatrician involved. You might also ask the school about having him talk to the school psychologist. Psychologists can help him work through it all. I wouldn't try to handle this on your own as a parent.
The advice u have already gotten is most like the best... just a small little thing to suggest that you add to what u have already gathered about the situation. .. is there anything he may have seen on TV or read in a book or played w on an app ..that could be mixed up in this... I know kids this age can see a commercial for a robot dog and all of a sudden start having dreams and making up stories and adventures for their own robot dog..and here u think they made it all up...but it has a little tiny kernel of something else that started it off.
So look at whole pict and if Dr us warranted make an appointment asap. It won't hurt to see a dr. And the can decidde.
Updated
The advice u have already gotten is most like the best... just a small little thing to suggest that you add to what u have already gathered about the situation. .. is there anything he may have seen on TV or read in a book or played w on an app ..that could be mixed up in this... I know kids this age can see a commercial for a robot dog and all of a sudden start having dreams and making up stories and adventures for their own robot dog..and here u think they made it all up...but it has a little tiny kernel of something else that started it off.
So look at whole pict and if Dr us warranted make an appointment asap. It won't hurt to see a dr. And the can decidde.
