Going to talk to pedi as well but wondering if anyone has experience/resources to share -

We’ve noticed since quarantine episodes of my 5 year old (entering K in fall) using negative self talk. And I think it’s going on in his head at times when he’s not saying it out loud. Example, last night at bedtime I said some usual things like “I love you so much, you’re so special to me” and he said something like “I’m not those things, I’m like nothing”. Or one day a week or so before, I found him pouting around the corner (but about nothing in particular) and I asked him what was up and he said “I can’t stop thinking about how I’m the worst thing ever”. He’s told me many times he’s sad but doesn’t know why (that one makes more sense to me in the context of all the life changes).

It has freaked me out a fair amount, although in between these episodes he acts totally normal. He’s always been a sensitive soul but he’s also a wild child whom we admittedly get short with at times and I know he takes it to heart even if he’s not listening to our requests. DH and I both have mental health issues ourselves and in our families, so it’s absolutely on my radar. I think some of it is middle child stuff - the toddler gets attention because she needs lots of help and is loud, the oldest has gotten more attention because of school etc. I’ve been trying to counter that with his love languages of quality time, loving words, physical touch with hugs or sitting in my lap, etc but of course it’s an ongoing issue to do that well amidst the rest of life.

I’m really not sure how much to chalk it up to just expressing big feelings, but I don’t want to miss something important either. Anyone been there?