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Paranoia?
Hi. Do you have any suggestions for
differentiating mild paranoia from typical pre-teen issues? My son is 11yo
and has never enjoyed school or homework; he has also always struggled
somewhat when adults set rules and limits. Recently his remarks about me and
his teachers at school (and even his younger brother on occasion) are
intensely angry. He reacts to everyday requests as being unreasonable. At
home he's more prone to slamming his folder on the table or throwing it on the
floor when asked about homework for the evening and making other such displays
about other issues too. He has not been aggressive. He reacts as if I have
no right to ask about homework, as if teacher has no right to ask him to do
classwork etc. Could this be grandiosity? He also seems to think we are
purposely trying to frustrate him. Could this be paranoia? How can we
differentiate this from typical pre-teen issues of not wanting to be told what
to do etc.
Dear Martha,
Your son sounds more irritable. It will be important to share this with his prescriber and therapist. Developmentally, he is reaching a point where he physically and socially-emotionally is making a switch, and this can be trying for all involved! When he is in a calm moment, I would also suggest talking with him about these concerns. Encourage his input into the problem solving re: how to manage homework. Finally, I would want to make sure that his academic needs are being met. Does he have a learning disability? If so, is he getting the assistance he needs to manage?
Good luck managing the transition to adolescence,
Dr. F
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