We should do the same for someone struggling with emotions/adapting to stressors. For instance, if an individual is recovering from a weakened ankle from a sports injury, it is common to receive physical therapy to rebuild that muscle. Seeking additional mental health support from a professional is a great use of resources if these dysfunctional responses/signs become a consistent presence in a child’s everyday life. These examples are not to be confused as excuses for a child’s behavior or to invalidate a caregiver’s frustration, but rather, to serve as a potential explanation and encourage caregivers to pause and be curious about the why behind these actions. A simple way to instill a child’s sense of control is by offering the child options to choose from to complete the caregiver’s desired task/end goal. This lost voice may make a child feel uneasy, urging them to act in maladaptive ways as a coping mechanism to satisfy that lack of a sense of control. This has the potential to come with the repercussion of the child feeling as though they have lost their voice when (well-intentioned) decisions are made on their behalf by caregivers. Children are reliant on their caregivers to have their needs met. Be consistent with developmentally appropriate rules and expectationsĪnother example of a misinterpretation is when a child is viewed as “manipulative” while, in reality, the child could be acting in ways that give them some semblance of control.Talk and act so child feels seen and safe.Respect and acknowledge child’s feelings.Understanding why your child is responding this way It is important to take notice of the presence of these signs, their frequency, duration, and impact on the child’s ability to function daily. However, these signs can also evolve into maladaptive coping skills-negatively impacting the child’s overall mental health. These signs can temporarily appear during a child’s typical developmental process as they learn to adjust to inevitable stressors in their environment. Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities/self-isolation.Stomachaches, headaches, physical complaints.Frequent temper tantrums/uncharacteristic mood swings.Signs that your child may need additional support: Their ability to identify, understand, and control their emotions is limited due to an underdeveloped upstairs brain, making it difficult to monitor and communicate struggles with their own mental health, thus, emphasizing the need for extra support. Children instinctually operate from their downstairs brain (cerebellum, brainstem, and limbic system) responsible for basic, life-sustaining processes (e.g., breathing) and the fight-flight-freeze response in moments of perceived stress/danger.
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