Hi mrsaym,

Your nephew sounds very troubled. Is his fear of strangers new, or has he always been that way? Was there a time when he was ok with strangers, when he was younger perhaps?

I think asking for a clinical viewpoint might be very valuable. Threats and fantasies of suicide are not rare in teens, but your nephew is a bit young for that. Even in teens, threats like that can never be ignored.

I was sexually abused as a child, as was my brother. I have to say i am concerned because my brother displayed the same fear of strangers, threats of suicide and getting others (usually me) into terrible trouble then freaking out if he himself was in trouble. This might be only a sign your nephew is disturbed and not because he has suffered anything similar, but still, i think action would be best.

HTH

Bx