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What Causes Emotional Attachment To Inanimate Obejcts In Children?
Question: Hello. I have an 8 year old daughter who is mostly happy, active and healthy. However, in the last month or so, she gets upset about inanimate objects. For example, she had a balloon that she let go of about a year ago, and it still upsets her to think about the lonely balloon out there somewhere. Yesterday they were playing with balloons at camp and one popped, and she felt bad about it (to the point of tears at bedtime) that it wouldn't be together with the other balloons. When we had a garage sale last week, she was really sad about a stuffed Zebra we gave away (it had been in the attic for over a year) because she thought it would be missing her. I have given her lots of support, she seems to know that her feelings aren't logical, and I have stressed that although they aren't logical that they're still important and real feelings. How can I help her through this with some creative tools?
Brief Answer:
see below
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing to health care magic.
Love for inanimate objects could be just a diversion of her love for humans. It could be part of some behavioural disorders like aspereger syndrome, synesthesia, Obsessive–compulsive disorder(OCD) , etc. But it needs a full psychological evaluation and tests to determine if there is really a problem.
Few tips to do initially:
1. Removal of her lovable items. Diverting attention to human voice and touch. Ensure you spend more time with her and converse in lengthy schedules everyday.
2. Talking to school should help in identifying any odd behavior at school or withher peers.
3. Repetitive reinforcements, telling her how odd other people feel when she has this attachment towards such things.
Wishing her good health
Dr Arun
see below
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing to health care magic.
Love for inanimate objects could be just a diversion of her love for humans. It could be part of some behavioural disorders like aspereger syndrome, synesthesia, Obsessive–compulsive disorder(OCD) , etc. But it needs a full psychological evaluation and tests to determine if there is really a problem.
Few tips to do initially:
1. Removal of her lovable items. Diverting attention to human voice and touch. Ensure you spend more time with her and converse in lengthy schedules everyday.
2. Talking to school should help in identifying any odd behavior at school or withher peers.
3. Repetitive reinforcements, telling her how odd other people feel when she has this attachment towards such things.
Wishing her good health
Dr Arun
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Answered by
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