Are Your Child's Tantrums Normal?
New Research Identifies Differences between Meltdowns and Mental
Illness
Temper tantrums look different in children with emotional
disorders. Researchers have found five particular behaviors that signal need for evaluation.
Tantrums are normal ... every child has them. Parents are often counseled to
"pay no attention" but new research suggests some moms and dads ought to pay very close attention ... and consider seeking a mental health evaluation
for their child since certain types of tantrums are prevalent in children with emotional disorders.
In a Washington University study, researchers interviewed caregivers (mostly
moms) of 279 children between the ages of 3 and 6. The children were evaluated independently for psychiatric disorders.
Five particular behaviors during tantrums were linked with specific psychiatric diagnoses in children ... and should serve as a red flag that
something other than normal emotional development may be going on. It's not uncommon for kids to do these things sometimes, in
some of their tantrums ... what's different in children who have emotional issues is that they usually or always behave this way when
having a tantrum.
Aggression toward caregivers, objects, or both ... as in when a child
tries to hurt a caregiver or damages objects more than half the time, over the most recent 10 - 20 tantrums.
Self-injury. Children with major depression or mixed major depression
and disruptive behavior are more likely to try to hurt themselves too, biting or scratching their arms, banging their heads against a
wall,
or kicking very hard against a solid surface.
Frequent tantrums can be a sign that something is amiss.
Preschoolers who
have between 10 - 20 per month at home ... or more than five tantrums a day on multiple days outside the home, are at risk of a
serious psychiatric problem.
Very long tantrums. Of course, many tantrums feel eternal ...
but
if you child's tantrums consistently has tantrums last 25 minutes or longer, be on alert. Consistency is key here ... a healthy child may
have one long tantrum, while the next one is brief... but in children with emotional disorders, most tantrums go on and on and on.
Inability to calm down after a tantrum. Kids who can't get
themselves out of their tantrum, who usually need to be removed, bribed or otherwise distracted because they cannot quiet down on their
own, are more likely to have a psychiatric diagnosis.
The researchers emphasize that most kids have tantrums ... and may
also occasionally display any or all of these behaviors. They're worrisome only when they occur in nearly every tantrum.
To learn more about tantrums in children, please click here...tantrum
Our Advice: When a child has an underlying emotional
problem, parents often already have wondered whether something is wrong. Usually there's nothing to worry about .. but those who already
are concerned should take special note. In that case, if you see these particular behaviors in your child with regularity, please give us a
call. Mental health problems can be solved and we're here to work with you to find the right solution for your child.
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