Zombie like state

[worried_tia]

Hi, hoping someone can help... My nephew is12 yrs old... Lives with his mother full time see's father every other weekend... Has seen a therapist who advises that he does have some anxiety issues, at times he has a hard time sleeping... Well the main reason why I'm writing this is because... Well last week we went to my cousins house, where he was playing on the play set they have and decided to step on the cover on top of play set and tore it. He came in the house and my cousins daughter told me... I talked to him and told him pretty much he needed to "man up" and take responsibility and tell the parents what he did, he began to cry, handed me his wallet to give them the money to replace it... Well after talking n talking to him he still wouldn't do it, I brought my cousin over n discussed it with him there, she told him everything was fine... Well a few days later (by that time my nephew went on a week long camping trip) found out  my cousins husband was upset about it. He talked to my father and all he said was that he wants my nephew to go up to him and apologize in person (which I totally understand) well when my nephew got back from camp, his mom told him what he needed to do, then his mom went to work and he stayed the night with me. We briefly discussed what his mom said... Then approx an hour later came up and gave me the money in his wallet... Told him that my cousins husband only wants an apology, explained how everyone makes mistakes, part of growing up etc. well he got into this zombie like state, where he was just staring at me not responsive, I had to lay him down and all he was doing was staring at the wall... Not answering me, just laying there. I was so worried I didn't want to leave him alone, I carried him into my bed n just cuddled with him n told him that we all love him no matter what... I kind of got scared, thinking what if in the future he tries to hurt himself... Not sure if it was a type of anxiety attack? When he was younger he used to curl himself up in the fetal position and cry like someone was hurting him and when u try to move him he would stiffen up... I just don't know how to help him? I know this was long but I'm lost

[worried_tia]

Thank you, so much sorry just had never seen him act this way before and it's continued on Til the morning. I spoke to his mother who will be making an appt with his dr. Mon morning. I think my main concern with all of this is that when he gets older and possibly in high school, or as an adult, he won't be able to deal with this and with him in this type of  anxiety or "fear" state, instead of him dealing with it, he may think of other options such as hurting himself. Again, thank you

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Be sure to inform his therapist. It goes without saying that he is petrified about dealing with the cousin's husband about this. The therapist can help him deal with the fear. Almost always, things that we fear are not as much of a concern as we imagine, but to a person with anxiety the objective view is not apparent.