Question
Over the past year and a half, our 5 year old has developed a fear of going to the doctor or dentist....which I assume is common. There was no specific visit that would have caused this...meaning due to a shot or something. He has however been scared and crying then received a shot. However, his behavior is really our of control. The first time it happened he was probably just 4 and I tried to be understanding that he was scared and wasn't sure how to handle it. The crying etc starts long before the exam then when the MD comes in or even the nurse it becomes worse. He screams, cries calls them names (bad doctor etc...). He handled his first trip to the dentist perfectly....the second a year later was a disaster. This is just for a simple exam. He has had to be held down just for minor things like looking in his ears. He hits and kicks. We just had to go in for an annual...no shots or anything and it was once again a disaster. I feel like he's old enough now to have a better understanding and be able to have some self control. He never demonstrates anything close to this behavior in any other situation. I can't explain the dread and stress of going to any future appointment. This time I decided to punish him at least by not giving him the thing I had promised if he was good was well as send him to his room when home. Is this something I should treat as any other behavior problem? I guess I have felt because they do have fear and at times they do get shots or have things to be afraid of I don't know how to handle it.
Thank you,
Sharon
