Dr. Allan W. Clark, M.D.

A 9-year-old child who is afraid of the dark is a normal variation in childhood behavior. Why is fear of the dark normal? Don't forget that humans bare a species within the animal kingdom. Just like other animals, humans have instincts which act upon behavior, sometimes without our awareness. All animals are wise to be cautious in the dark when we are sleeping because "predators" can kill us more easily at this vulnerable time. Like other species, we have a set of instincts that kick into action at bedtime that automatically goes through a "Am I gonna be safe?" routine before sleep. For example, most animals lie to sleep in groups so the group can all share in the watchfulness required when sleeping at night when predators are usually active. Kids go to the parent's bedroom when scared and feel safe between parents.

Because you feel your shyness is an embarrassing trait. KIds may even encourage you to feel "less than" by teasing you. Yes, shyness is not typical, but it is quite common. It is one of the 4 traits children are born with. Shyness involves a preoccupation with thoughts that others are judging you negatively. It is a problem usually because these thoughts can be very difficult to eliminate. The shyness makes you focus on things you may potentially be doing wrong and ignoring all the things you do well leading to low-self esteem and depression. You will feel better by making yourself list all the unique, good and notable things about you, and reviewing it when you feel shy or insecure. Eventually, you will change the balance of your thoughts from negative focussed to an equal balance of positive. Friends who can encourage you, and like you because you are shy should be who you seek to inverst time in.

Give yourself a great graduation ceremony. Sometimes in life, we are not acknowledged for our remarkable accomplishments, so we have to throw the party. Usually, we throw a better celebration anywho.

Hell no. Is it bad to take insulin or high blood pressure medicine for years if you need it? Depression is just a neurological problem in the brain, that OFTEN benefits from long term antidepressants. Being on too long usually refers to a person who had one depressive episode, perhaps triggered by a major loss, who feels well 5 years later, but still takes an antidepressANT. i most cases, the doctor will slowly lower the dose to see if the depression comes back. More often than not, it does not come back

Find out what makes the pain bearable. First, it may be close friends, church, or inspirational reading. If not working, you may need a professional counselor ASAP. Sometimes they can alleviate the suffering quickly. Medication always has a role in managing unbearable pain. Reducing pain with the proper medication supervised properly by a doctor can solve the problem until the "storm" settles. May be a couple of days, maybe a week. all these options will work, dont let yourself suffer.

It's normal, based upon different rates of development of this function. Sleep depth and bladder signals must learn to coordinate to allow sleep despite accumulating urine. I tell parents it is highly unlikely it will not go away by early adolescence. The issue really is minimizing the embarrassment and inconvenience of sleeping in a wet bed. A bell and pad system that sounds an alarm when the child begins to pee can help train then to awaken easier when they need too pee.