Look out for those tantrums

Children do not throw tantrums just to seek attention. If your kid is often throwing tantrums, it could be for a medical reason that should be brought to the notice of a specialist, says a recent research conducted by the Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan .

Children between five and seventeen years of age are prone to behavioral and emotional issues which later can balloon into critical health issues. Angry kids who often throw excessive, explosive tantrums are at the risk of what is called Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder” says Sreenivas, a professional psychiatrist. “A majority of the parents shrug off their children’s violent mood swings as attention seeking tactics and do not talk it out with their kids.

They do not realise that the child’s behavioral and emotional health is linked to its physical health”, he adds. Bhavani, mother of two teenage children says, “Children also display inconsistent mood swings apart from outbursts. They go through a lot of stress due to physical and hormonal changes and cannot understand what is happening to them.

It is the parents’ responsibility to make sure that the child shares his feelings with either of them or elder siblings. Else, their mood swings will develop into a serious behavior or mental disorder”. Emotional and behavioral health problems are common to boys and girls of all ages; which affect their learning, social interactions and physical health.

“Children who are mentally healthy also score well and participate in extracurricular activities. That is not so with their peers suffering from emotional issues”, says Namata, a high school teacher. “It is common for children to throw tantrums but they can be handled. They should be engaged in other physical activities so they remain emotionally and mentally healthy”, says Arpitha Sharma, a psychologist.

By:Vaishnavi Girish