Question

Ann is three years old. She was potty-trained at two, but recently has begun having accidents. Her personality also seems to have changed. She has difficulty sleeping through the night although she had slept through the night since she was one year old. She does not seem to be eating enough—her pediatrician finds that she has actually lost a couple of pounds this past year. She is whiny and clingy with her parents and fearful of almost anything that moves. What would you suspect is going on with Ann? What information can you give her parents that might be helpful?

Answer 1

In such a condition Ann "symptoms" are suggestive of; child sexual abuse as she is having; sleep disturbances, suddenly clingy behavior that are cardinal signs of sexual abuse. In such a situation I would suggest the parents talk to the child about the issue, get her examined physically and be watchful; of the people who come in her contact; especially the people in the close contact and they are the ones who generally assault a child. If confirmed report the matter.