What to do if your child has increased irritability.

Causes

The origins of disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system are laid during the mother's pregnancy. Unfavorable factors that make a child’s psyche unstable are:

1. Toxicoses of pregnant women;
2. Fetoplacental disorders (pathology of fetal and placental development);
3. Fetal hypoxia;
4. Intrauterine infection;
5. Adverse habits of a pregnant woman;
6. Uncontrolled use of medications during pregnancy;
7. Infectious diseases of the mother during pregnancy;
8. Traumatic childbirth;
9. Rapid or prolonged labor;
10. Prematurity and postmaturity;

Diagnosis of hyperactivity

Such a diagnosis can only be made by a specialist after conducting a series of studies. In recent years, this neurological disorder has been identified as a separate pathology. The diagnosis is officially accepted in international medical practice.

Confirmation of the diagnosis indicates the presence of a chronic neurological disorder. Without the necessary treatment, it can last a lifetime. Without therapy, the disease develops in three directions:

• the child stops believing in himself and withdraws;
• he may experience serious mental disorders, he will begin to live in an imaginary world;
• cope with the pathology on their own, but with great difficulties.

Timely initiation of therapy will help correct the course of the pathology and make the prognosis favorable.

Symptoms of hyperexcitability

Hyperexcitability in newborns makes itself felt immediately after birth; its signs are:

1. Light, short sleep, accompanied by shuddering and motor restlessness;
2. Sluggish sucking with long pauses;
3. Unreasonable, monotonous crying that is difficult to calm down;
4. Tremor (small shaking) of the chin and limbs;
5. Increased muscle tone, which is manifested by tightly clenched fists and bent limbs brought to the body;
6. Frequent heavy regurgitation;
7. A vein is noticeable in the bridge of the nose - a signal of increased intracranial pressure;
8. The vascular network is clearly visible on the skin;

Hyperexcitability syndrome in children can develop later due to the impact on the nervous system of factors such as rickets, hernias, intestinal colic, and teething.

If the child was not given help in infancy, symptoms of hyperexcitability in children of preschool and early school age take on other forms:

1. The child cannot concentrate on any type of activity;
2. He has no perseverance;
3. He is naive, prone to fantasy, and easily trusts strangers;
4. Such children are characterized by increased fatigue;
5. There is a tendency to neuroses in the form of nail biting, causeless anxiety;
6. The child’s speech is confused and inconsistent;
7. Coordination of movements is impaired, which manifests itself in poor handwriting and clumsy movements;

It is difficult for adults to communicate with such children. The child is labeled a bully.

What to do if your child has increased irritability.

June 25, 2021 Increased excitability and irritability of a child can be a consequence of many reasons, including physiological ones associated with the immaturity of the nervous system, its reaction to various negative influences during pregnancy (mother’s illness, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical and emotional overload), and also being born prematurely, by caesarean section or in a difficult natural birth. Irritability can be a response to the environment or excessive demands on the child without taking into account the age and individual characteristics of the psyche.

Up to 3 years of age , any reason - poor nutrition, loud noises, bright lights, uncomfortable clothes, change of environment, manifestation of negative emotions of adults - can cause irritation, tearfulness, sleep problems, and rapid fatigue of the child. What can parents do?

- Try to eliminate the discomfort and calm the child as soon as possible. Ensure compliance with the daily routine, proper nutrition, physical and psychological stress adequate to his age and condition. Do not try to instill endurance and endurance in a young child, this will only aggravate his discomfort and make it difficult to return to an emotionally stable state.

— Prepare your child in advance for any changes, tell and explain what will happen, soften the content of unpleasant information. For example, tell us why you need to go to the doctor and why it’s good, when and for what reason guests will come to you, how much time the child will spend without you (with his grandmother or nanny), what he will do in the child care facility. If it’s time to finish the game and go to bed, tell them that the toys are tired and look sleepy and offer to put them to bed first, and then go to bed yourself.

- Stay calm yourself, do not get infected by the child’s emotions. While the parent is in a calm state, he is able to influence the situation and help the child cope with emotions. Don't show fear or disappointment, don't frighten your child with suggestions of what might happen, and don't bore him with moralizing.

Preschool age. The older the child gets, the more important parenting factors become in the development and consolidation of irritability, so parents should pay attention to the parenting strategies used and their own behavior, which the child can copy.

— Set an example of constructive resolution of conflict situations and respectful attitude towards all family members. Don’t be afraid to apologize if you were wrong or said offensive words in the heat of the moment. Learn to switch your emotional state, recognize and prevent outbursts of irritation. Take care of your psychological health, do not bring yourself to a state of exhaustion and “trapped”.

— If your child is anxious and reacts violently to failures, give him more independence in situations that do not threaten his health, do not surround him with excessive care. The experience of overcoming difficulties is important for a child; it gives him confidence in his abilities.

— At the same time, demand respect for elders, adherence to daily routine, rules of politeness and standards of behavior in public places. Otherwise, permissiveness and complete freedom can lead to frequent irritation and expression of dissatisfaction, even with necessary and justified demands.

— Talk to the child, explain your position to the child. Be patient and willing to spend as much time as it takes for your child to understand you and come to the appropriate conclusions. Rudeness, neglect, threats, and blackmail traumatize the child’s psyche and are unacceptable in education.

— Suggest and discuss together possible options for behavior in situations that cause irritation in the child, ways of responding to troubles. Encourage his reasoning and engage in dialogue, helping your child learn to overcome difficulties. Praise and support if not everything works out. For example: “You’re great for trying to cope on your own. Learning is always difficult, but you will soon learn it.”

In younger schoolchildren, worries and irritability will also be associated with high responsibility, academic workload, relationships with classmates and teachers, and the atmosphere in the classroom. Your task, in a calm home environment, is to help your child respond to grievances, support him and help him shift his attention.

— Discuss with your child situations that cause an emotional response in him. Children's awareness of their own thoughts, emotions and actions occurs with the help of adults. Therefore, by analyzing the situation, we help the child become aware of it. The habit of keeping experiences inside can lead to nervous tension, increased anxiety, night terrors, and even the development of somatic diseases.

- Do not demand perfect completion of tasks in all subjects, this will cause irritation and reluctance to do anything before starting work. It is normal that children are more capable of some sciences; some subjects are easier for them than others. Do not put pressure or scold your child, do not compare with other children or with yourself as a child.

— Organize for your child the opportunity to relax, change the type of activity and communicate with peers outside the school community - in various clubs, sports sections, music school, with friends in the yard.

Increased irritability, aggressiveness, and nervousness are characteristic features of adolescence . Their appearance is primarily associated with hormonal changes occurring in the body. The nervous system cannot adapt quickly, teenagers often do not realize and cannot control their emotions, and feel loneliness due to their emotional instability.

— Talk kindly, take an interest in the teenager’s experiences. Show more attention and love to him, simply for the fact that he exists. Then the teenager will feel more confident and his self-esteem will increase.

— Help the teenager understand the reasons for his irritability by talking through various situations in detail in order to teach the teenager to better understand and control his psychological state.

— Teenagers already consider themselves adults and will defend their rights if you treat them like children. Explain to him that being an adult is a big responsibility, that he must be able to control his emotions and be responsible for his actions.

- Give your teenager more freedom, subject to your agreements with him (calls at a certain time, some important restrictions). Let him say on his own when he comes, do something himself and praise him for the result, then the joy of success and the desire to do and be better arises.

- Don’t blame, but try to understand the teenager - see his problems, put yourself in his place, remember what experiences you had at that age. After all, teenagers often feel that no one understands them, that significant people are indifferent to their interests and feelings.

— Don’t focus on shortcomings, rely on positive qualities and help you see resources.
Even dissatisfaction with oneself can become an incentive for self-improvement. Return to news list Share

Treatment

If there are signs of hyperexcitability in infants, it is necessary to begin treatment with a pediatric neurologist as soon as possible. In addition to drug treatment, the following are used:

• massage that brings very good results;
• physiotherapy;
• water procedures;

When treating schoolchildren, the tactics are different. The main role is given to the psychotherapist, who works with both the child and his parents. Need to:

1. Avoid his isolation in the children's group;
2. Create a comfortable environment for the child at home, avoid loud conversations;
3. Organize your daily routine;
4. Increase physical activity (outdoor work and sports activities);
5. Regular fortified meals.

To avoid developing a bad character that brings trouble to others, adults should give this child maximum kindness and attention.

Dear parents!
Remember that only a qualified pediatrician can make an accurate diagnosis, determine the causes and nature of the disease, and prescribe effective treatment. You can make an appointment with our specialists or call a doctor at home by calling 8-800-700-31-69 Grow up healthy and happy!

Diagnosis of hyperactivity

Children suspected of having ADHD are under the constant supervision of their attending pediatrician. In this case, a neurological diagnosis is not established earlier than 5-7 years. This is due to the developmental characteristics of preschool children. Child psychologists try to diagnose only after the completion of the transitional age crises of 3 and 7 years.

Diagnosis is carried out by a child psychologist together with a neurologist and pediatrician. Consultation with several specialists makes it possible to exclude other diagnoses that lead to increased activity and excitability. Also, during diagnosis, doctors reassure parents that their baby’s increased excitability, restlessness, is only a manifestation of character.

The baby’s condition is monitored from the first weeks of life. If hyperactivity is suspected, the doctor conducts a thorough analysis of the child’s behavior in everyday life.

Diagnostics includes three stages:

• a conversation between a child psychologist and the child’s parents;
• researching;
• obtaining advice from the pediatrician treating the baby.

To confirm the diagnosis in a hospital setting, EEG, REG, M-Echo, MRI are performed. Before conducting research, it is recommended to keep your child busy with an interesting game. You can give a mild sedative.

Manifestation of hyperactivity

People with this neurological disorder tend to:

• inability to concentrate on performing monotonous routine actions;
• a patient with ADHD is unable to concentrate while maintaining a conversation;
• he can be irritable and moody, prone to mood swings;
• Such people are characterized by impulsiveness and a tendency to take risks.

Diagnostics are necessary to identify pathology. Often these symptoms can accompany a certain eccentricity of a person who does not have neurological pathologies. They also accompany some complex psychiatric disorders.

An examination is recommended for an accurate diagnosis. This will allow us to develop an effective option for complex therapy that provides comprehensive and qualified care. Treatment of hyperactivity is carried out on an outpatient basis. In most cases, psychological therapy is carried out without the use of drugs or the use of drugs in minimal dosages.