Children can throw tantrums lasting for a couple of minutes and ranging from crying to kicking to screaming. Also, there are various reasons why children have meltdowns. However, if they are doing so frequently beyond their early school years, then these are symptoms of underlying issues. It could be that your child is struggling with uncontrollable emotions, and they are venting it out through tantrums. This inability of your child to regulate their emotions points to an underlying problem.
Certainly, you, as a concerned parent, wish to soothe them during such times. But how do you mollify your little one when you do not know the reasons why they are behaving so?
Hence, we at Delhi Public School Kota, one of the top 5 schools in Kota, recommend understanding why your little one is throwing a tantrum first. Now that you know that tantrums and meltdowns are symptoms of underlying problems, the onus lies on you to help your child through them.
Underlying Causes for Your Child to Throw Tantrums
The reasons for children not being able to regulate their emotions as part of normal development are manifold. You can also compare tantrums and meltdowns to fevers – there could be many triggers for the different problems, and you cannot make them stop until you know what’s triggering them.
In some cases, owing to underlying causes, your child may not be able to regulate their emotions. Even so, it may help to learn about the common causes of the frequent meltdowns of your child, as seen below:
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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD commonly affects children of all ages, and the sad part is that all this goes undiagnosed. Inattention, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity are some common ADHD symptoms.
Children having ADHD get frustrated when they are caught up in situations that trigger the symptoms of their condition, leading to their tantrums. What is most startling is that youngsters as young as 4 years can have this condition without being diagnosed.
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Anxiety
Anxiety is another reason for children to throw tantrums. While they may not have a full-fledged anxiety disorder, there may be times that they overreact to anxiety-evoking situations and have meltdowns due to high-stress levels. Such behavior, whereby kids react violently during uncomfortable or painful situations, is seen in kids with undiagnosed learning disabilities or who have undergone trauma.
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Learning Disorders
If your child is acting out repetitively when studying, it could be a sign of an undiagnosed learning disorder. In such cases, they may find it difficult to solve math and other subject problems, leaving them irritable and frustrated. Instead of seeking help, they may tear up an assignment or start playing with a toy for diverting their minds from the task at hand. Keep track of such issues in your children and you’ll know if there’s actually an issue your child might be needing your help with.
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Autism
Autistic children are also prone to frequent meltdowns. They are rigid and resist changes in their daily routines. To add to that, they may be unable to express or communicate their needs to you.
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Depression and Irritability
Depression and irritability are other reasons why your child could lose their temper frequently. Among kids, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder is a new condition characterized by severe outbursts and chronic irritability. As a result of this disorder, the slightest of things can make children irritable.
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Sensory Processing Issues
Children with ADHD or autism suffer from sensory challenges, causing them to cry inconsolably during trigger situations.
Winding Up
Whatever may be the cause for your child to throw a tantrum, you must first understand what the triggers are. We at Delhi Public School Kota, ranked among the top 5 schools in Kota, reckon looking for ways of how you can change the environment to reduce such incidences. Remember, parents are the only ones who can help their young ones to overcome their disorders. So, make sure your child gets all the help they need to keep them comforted as much as possible.