728x90
my iParenting
From Our Sponsors
e-newsletters
Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters

new terms of use
new privacy policy
award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Home › Expert Q&A › Behavior and Discipline › We have a 7-year-old son who bites his hand and finger all the time. What is the best way to receive help?

Expert Q&A

 

By Lisa Lees
Twin Expert

We have a 7-year-old son who bites his hand and finger all the time. It gets cracked open and bleeds all winter. We have tried our doctors who set us to a psychologist, and that did more damage than good. He never offered us advice.We then talked to one we know and he said these were habits that just needed to be broken.We even have asked the dentist to help and we are being referred to an orthodontist.The doctors say it is behavioral, and he is listed as being into self mutilation.Other than that they really don't know what to do. I do know his hand biting happens most when excited or angry.When I ask him why he does this, he says his mouth hurts. He now is chewing clothes, biting nails and has always sucked his thumb.Is there any truth to what the doctors feel, and what is the best way receive help? His hand is permanently damaged and I fear it will get worse.

This is a very clinically oriented question and I would want much more history and background about your son's developmental, cognitive, social, academic and family functioning before I would be comfortable providing an adequate opinion.

You have already had what sound to be negative experiences with physicians and a psychologist, and I would not want to send you down the wrong path again based solely on the information you provided. This is obviously a serious situation that requires a thorough diagnostic assessment and I would not want to create any additional disappointment or distrust in health care professionals by offering thoughts that are based only on clinical hunches.

The best thing I can recommend for you at this point is to contact board certified child psychiatrists and licensed child psychologists in your area and request a telephone consultation prior to scheduling an appointment with anyone. This way you can describe your son's behavior, ask some questions and get an initial impression for whether you are comfortable with and confident in the psychiatrist's/psychologist's knowledge and ability to help you and your son. If you don't feel you are getting satisfactory answers from these professionals, another option would be to consult with pediatric neurologists.

Related Expert Q&A

More Answers by this Expert

View more Q&A by this Expert