Could my son have an imaginary bully or is he just lying? My son in the past complained about a girl/boy who he could name who would follow him and phycially abuse him when he was alone. Apparently when no teachers are around and couldn't be found. Apparently it was a girl. My son said she had stopped. All was good for awhile now he's started bringing this child up again same kid same name but is now a boy who is apparently constantly moving classes and knows where he is all the time. he says he makes his tummy and feet hurt from pounching them. He does have trouble with when to use he/she as he has speech problems. But his story has holes and he refuses to talk to a teacher about it and locate this kid. Then today he said it had only happened once and the kid was a good kid and he didn't want to tell on him. But randomly said the kid waits for him at the lights near the school... I walk him too school no kid waiting for him. But when I asked him about that he refused to speak again and was acting confused. I never had an imaginary friend so no idea if this is normal. He has a lot of anxiedy about school.
3 Replies
Sounds completely abnormal and not so much lying, maybe creating a false story and genuinely believing it. I'd chat to a GP and maybe have him chat to someone.
What does he say when you mention changing schools to escape said "bully"?
I would take him to a psych. Sounds like he needs to talk to someone who can spend the time and unravel what it is. Anxiety can make your tummy hurt he may be blaming 'someone' instead of being able to say what it is. They will be able to work it out.
It's more helpful to think what might be driving the behaviour than thinking he is lying. Either it's true and he's frightened or is not true and he's anxious and his mind is creating images of abuse. Either way it is a problem for him that makes him feel bad. I would get expert help in unravelling the source of the anxiety. Is there a psychologist through the school or referral for mental health plan via gp?