[JRA]

DS is 10 now. A very happy, relatively sensitive child. He is known by all for his huge smile.

But there is a monster underneath the smile. Even at 10 now, if he doesn't have food regularly he becomes that monster. When this happens, the world is a horrible place, he can't do anything, everyone hates him and well he becomes a terrible child. Give him food, a banana, or something, within 5 minutes he is human again.

I can understand this - nearly, at 2, or even 4, but at 10 it is now becoming a concern, I think.

When he is in the place he really is just horrible to all, including himself. He becomes so intense he decides he is not hungry, only now can we just get through to him that he needs to eat.

Am I the only one who has a 10yo that cannot control there behaviour if they need food?

This post has been edited by JRA: 21/12/2012, 08:08 PM

[mez70]

I am 42 tomorrow and I am a total cow and horrible person if I don't have food at regular intervals.
I actually have issues with my blood Sugar levels though not a diabetic. When my blood sugars crash too low I am horrific to be around especially if I have been busy and not around people then all of a sudden it hits......

I have been making a huge effort as late to eat smaller more frequent meals as well as reducing added sugars etc and it has mad e huge difference to myself. Thankfully hubby and others now know me well enough they can tell me to eat something NOW..

I would be ensuring that he has a low GI diet as that keeps the sugars on a more even keel and eat something every couple of hours... and see if that makes a difference..

Also keep a food and mood diet to see if there are any patterns that jump out or specific times of day and as much as I hate to say it as my DS is 11 don't discount the commencement of hormonal changes as well... Good luck. It could be worth a general check up with your GP to discuss it all as well

[kyrrie]

I think you've just described my DS, except he is 7.

[*Caro*]

My husband always makes sure I have snacks in my handbag before we go out - I turn into a right cow without regular food! My mum and my kids are all the same. My dad however can go all day without food and not notice.

I think its just how we are made, not much you can do about it, except talk to him and educate him on eating small and often.

[SlinkyMalinki]

I'd be getting his blood sugar levels checked, I've always been like this, though it wasn't picked up until I was a teenager.

[kay11]

I'm like this. I turned out to have an underlying immune system condition (not diabetes) that caused it.

[wombat]

DD is 11 and has always been like this. She eats huge amounts and obviousily has a really fast metabolism. The catch cry in our house since she was a baby has always been - feed her quick - whenever she starts to get a cranky. We laugh about it because even she knows it's true! I think it's probably quite normal for people with a really fast metabolism. I wouldn't worry too much if I were you, just keep the food rolling!

[Bacongirl]

****!! Just lost a huge post, but here is the gyst of it.

JRA - you could be describing my DS and DH to a tee! DS was so bad at points we were worried he was bordering on psychosis. DH just becomes a total a*s*hole, but I've learned the symptoms and not to 'bite' at his tirades. I instead say ' have you eaten!" And he calms down and realises that he needs something quick., even a friggen Mentos or a couple of tictacs will help.

The GP ran a number of tests and DS is borderline hypoglycemic. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypoglycemia

Which is different then my father who could be diabetic hypoglycemic and go into a coma

The GP suggested small meals/snacks every 2-3 hours that were low GI and helped keep DS on an 'even keel' and this helps alot, but I still keep Mentos in my bag for the unexpected delays!

I notice it more when our daily patterns are out of whack. Especially during school holidays or travelling.

[JRA]

Thanks everyone. Your answers have been very reassuring. DH will also be really pleased to see them. He often gets the brunt of the episodes

Coffeegirl: Your comment about worrying about psycosis. He just becomes a different child, with no sense of reality at all. It think like you, it is when there is no timetable. I think/hope at school it is better as he has clear breaks to eat, we are not as careful on holidays, but I must admit by now you would think we could sort this timing better

Wombat: we too have the "feed him quick"

It is quite possibly just a fast metabolism, my sisters are a bit similar, and eat like horses and well lets say, don't look like me.

Following up with the gp may be an idea, but I do like the idea of just having mentos or something. A banana works well, but not the easiest thing to always have. We do try and do low gi most of the time, but of course, sometimes are not as careful as we should be.

[howdo]

Lots and lots and lots of children are like this. Frequently at school if I have to call for assistance for a child who is misbehaving, then the first attempt to settle the child is to feed them. For a significant number of children it resolves the problem.