子どもの治療での母子関係を調整することは、母親にとっても意味がある、名古屋の児童精神科医が解説

こんにちは、名古屋市千種区　児童精神科専門クリニック、医療法人永朋会　和光医院、加藤晃司です。

今回は、子どもの治療での母子関係を調整することは、母親にとっても意味があるについて解説します。

児童精神科はあらゆる症状で来院されます。

それがうつ病、不安障害、ADHD、ASD、統合失調症、チック、不登校、ひきこもり、どんな症状、どんな状態であれば、生育歴は必ず聴取します。

子どもが生まれた時にどう思ったか、からはじまり、０歳から現在までの生育歴を聞くことで、診断、そして病態水準の判定を行います。

生育歴は基本的に養育者、主に母親から聞くことになりますが、どんな子どもだったのかを聞いているようで、お母さんもどんな人なのか、というのを同時に聞いています。

なぜなら生育歴は世代間伝達するからです。

どんな疾患でも、ある程度特徴的な生育歴があります。

もちろんそれがそのまま伝達することもあれば、形をかえながら、しかしそのコアな部分はそのまま、ひきつがれていきます。

母親も、最初から母親だったわけではなく、自分の母親がいて、そしてそこにはまた母子関係があります。

世代間伝達していて、それが現在の問題につながっている場合には、母親からも自分の生育歴について聞いていくこともあります。

そこまでしなかったとしても、自分と子どもの関係性を整理するなかで、自分と他者との関係、自分自分のことも、もおのずと整理していくことになります。

逆にそこまで進展しないと、子どもと母親の関係もうごかないケースの方が多いかもしれません。

治療の進展としては、結果として大人である母親の方が、自己理解が進むことは結構あります。

それは子どもが元気になるだけでなく、母の今後の人生にとっても大きな意味をもたらすことができるかもしれません。

対人関係、とくに近しい相手との間の２者関係には、世代間を超えた多くのものが関係してきます。
それがたまたま母子関係だったというだけで、子どもがいなかたとしても、どこかで２者関係での問題は表出したのだろうと思います。

多くは過去からの連続性の中に答えのきっかけがあることが多いです。

今の問題のようにみえて、それは形を変えて繰り返しているだけかもしれません。

子どものことだけでなく、なんだか今の自分にしっくりこないという方にも、心理療法はある程度役にたつかもしれません。

医療法人永朋会　和光医院
医療法人永朋会はこちら



Adjusting the Mother-Child Relationship in Child Therapy: Its Importance for Mothers
Explained by Koji Kato, MD, Child Psychiatrist at Wako Clinic, Nagoya
Hello, I’m Koji Kato, Director of Wako Clinic, a specialized child psychiatry clinic in Chikusa Ward, Nagoya City.

In this discussion, I will explain why adjusting the mother-child relationship in child therapy also holds significant meaning for mothers.

1. Understanding Child Therapy and Its Focus on the Mother-Child Relationship
In child psychiatry, we encounter a wide range of issues such as:

Depression
Anxiety disorders
ADHD
ASD
Schizophrenia
Tic disorders
School refusal and social withdrawal
Regardless of the diagnosis, a detailed developmental history is always an integral part of the evaluation process.

Why is developmental history important?
It begins with questions about the mother's initial feelings when the child was born.
It traces the child’s growth from infancy to the present day.
This history provides insight not only into the child’s development but also into the mother’s experiences and parenting style.
This focus on developmental history reflects the idea that patterns and traits are often transmitted across generations.

2. Intergenerational Transmission in Mother-Child Dynamics
How the Past Influences the Present
A mother was not born a mother. She herself had a mother, and their mother-child relationship has shaped her in significant ways.

This intergenerational transmission means that:

The traits, emotions, and relational patterns from the mother's upbringing may influence her current parenting style.
Even if the details differ, the core dynamics of past relationships are often carried forward.
3. Therapy for the Child: An Opportunity for Mothers’ Self-Reflection
What happens during therapy?
When addressing the child’s problems, therapy naturally involves exploring the mother-child relationship.
This process often leads to the mother reflecting on her own upbringing and relationships.

For example:

By examining how she interacts with her child, the mother may begin to notice patterns in how she relates to others, including herself.
Understanding these patterns can bring clarity to her current challenges and emotional responses.
Progress in therapy often includes:
The child improving their emotional or behavioral issues.
The mother gaining deeper self-awareness and insight into her past and present.
4. Broader Impact on the Mother’s Life
Therapy not only benefits the child but also has long-term implications for the mother:

Self-understanding: Mothers often find a new perspective on their own behaviors and choices.
Personal growth: This newfound understanding can enhance her overall well-being and relationships beyond the mother-child dynamic.
Why is this important?
Challenges in the mother-child relationship often represent larger interpersonal patterns.
These patterns would likely surface in other close relationships, even if the mother did not have a child. Therapy provides an opportunity to address these recurring dynamics.

5. Exploring the Roots of Current Challenges
While the issues may seem rooted in the present, they are often part of a repeated cycle with origins in the past. Therapy offers a safe space to:

Break these cycles.
Build healthier relationships with both the child and others.
6. For Those Who Feel “Something’s Not Right”
Even if a mother seeks therapy primarily for her child, it can also help mothers who feel disconnected or uncertain about their own emotional state.
Psychotherapy can:

Provide insight into unresolved past experiences.
Help address feelings of unease or dissatisfaction.
Strengthen the mother’s sense of self and her ability to build fulfilling relationships.
Summary
Adjusting the mother-child relationship in child therapy has profound implications, not just for the child but also for the mother.

For the child: It improves emotional and behavioral health.
For the mother: It fosters self-awareness, personal growth, and healthier relationships.
If you feel that challenges in your child’s life or your own relationships might stem from deeper, generational patterns, seeking therapeutic support could be beneficial.

For personalized care and professional guidance, feel free to consult us at Wako Clinic.