Son Woo-kyung diagnosed with ADHD at age 4... "I want to die" statement included
Lee Ji-hyun, formerly of the group Jewelry, opened up about her struggles concerning her son. /Photo by 'Brave Solo Parenting - I Raise Them' capture
[Asia Economy Online Issue Team] Lee Ji-hyun, former member of the group Jewelry, opened up about her concerns regarding her son who suffers from ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).
On the JTBC variety show 'Brave Solo Parenting - I Raise Them,' which aired on the 10th, Lee Ji-hyun was shown visiting a hospital with her son Woo-kyung. On that day, Woo-kyung was diagnosed with ADHD through a detailed examination available for children aged 7 and older.
Lee Ji-hyun confessed, "Woo-kyung was first diagnosed with ADHD when he was 4 years old," adding, "He is the type to explode when angry. It has become more severe over time, and he even bit and hit his friends." She also revealed, "Since he was 5, Woo-kyung has said things like 'I want to die.' When he first used such expressions, I felt like the sky was falling, but I decided to support him."
Dr. Noh Gyu-sik, who conducted the counseling, reviewed a video showing Woo-kyung's problematic behavior. In the video, Woo-kyung exhibited violent behavior, saying, "I will bring a knife and kill," while Lee Ji-hyun tried to calm him down. However, Woo-kyung continued to throw punches.
Lee Ji-hyun shared her struggles, saying, "I am a mother who gets hit all the time. I get hit every day." In response, Dr. Noh said, "The child thinks in his mind, 'If I do this, mom will come to me.' Woo-kyung's most important asset is his mother's fear. He needs guidance to behave differently."
He continued, "It is more problematic than just hitting out of anger. Aggressive behavior can lead to violence with other purposes. The aggressive behavior toward the mother can be perceived as a means of interaction. Eventually, the child may feel that violence toward people is justified."
He emphasized, "It must be controlled now while it is still possible. It becomes difficult once this period passes."
Lee Ji-hyun also said, "The children fight like grown men in a brawl," and shared, "One day, after coming back from the bathroom, Woo-kyung was holding a knife, and my daughter Seo-yoon was holding scissors. I rushed over and scolded them. It was terrifying."
Dr. Noh advised, "Do not intervene when children fight. In extreme situations, you should stop them, but do not get involved in the fight to sort it out; instead, separate the children," and suggested solutions such as establishing clear rules, spending special one-on-one time, and cultivating habits of doing household chores.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
