[winterprincess84]

I don't even know where to start...I have come here because I can't seem to find a place for mental health help for young children.


My son seems to exhibit irrational and violent outbursts to the point where he scratches, kicks, hits, throws and punches at you for reasons such as "he does not like toys". that is the reasoning that he gives when I ask him. He will be 4 soon but I have noticed that there are things that are definitely a-typical behavior.

- He struggles with social interaction with anyone new. So much so that he sometimes has fits if he has to be around new people EVEN if my husband and I are there.

-Getting him to sleep is an extreme ordeal that usually requires an hour or more of negotiation and other methods to get him to sleep. He will react violently and irrationally even though we try to do whatever we think will help him fall asleep (read to him, leave a light on, allow him to play in his room with a nightlight on) He is fine being in his room as long as he isn't required to go to bed. In fact, he literally stays up until he's too tired to fight it anymore (which is usually 10:30 every night!)


-He will annoy, pester and injure his little sister without being provoked.

-The strangest thing is that one day he can have a completely "normal" day and not act out and the next day it's complete chaos. It's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. He can then react disproportionally to a situation saying "you hit me" when we absolutely did no such thing.


-He is very intelligent and can focus for hours doing puzzles and things that challenge him but has very little tolerance for things that do not go his way

-He is constantly seeking attention and wants to be played with all the time.


- He has a meltdown nearly everytime he is told "no" somedays and then barely flinches an eye other days.


Please help me! I don't know what to do. I have an appt scheduled with a psychiatrist but it's so far in the future (April) because they are backlogged.


Does anyone know what may be going on with him!?


Any advice will help.

[Puglife]

That sounds very challenging and exhausting. Toddlers can be difficult even under the best of circumstances. You need to have him evaluated by his pediatrician to help determine if this is normal toddler behavior or whether he should be referred for further evaluation.

Setting and sticking with boundaries is key. Don't threaten something unless you plan to follow through. Trying to remain calm and putting yourself in timeout can help diffuse tantrums. How is his diet and sleep? Those can also be causes or symptoms of other issues.

Good luck!

[BioAdoptMom3]

I agree with taking him to his doctor first, but no matter what the doctor says, unless something physical is found to be the cause, take him for an evaluation by a psychiatrist! I know it is uncommon in very young children, but bipolar disorder is one thing that comes to mind. Sleep difficulties are extremely common in people who have BD as are many of the other behaviors you describe.

Nancy

[vital]

Originally Posted by winterprincess84

I don't even know where to start...I have come here because I can't seem to find a place for mental health help for young children.


My son seems to exhibit irrational and violent outbursts to the point where he scratches, kicks, hits, throws and punches at you for reasons such as "he does not like toys". that is the reasoning that he gives when I ask him. He will be 4 soon but I have noticed that there are things that are definitely a-typical behavior.

- He struggles with social interaction with anyone new. So much so that he sometimes has fits if he has to be around new people EVEN if my husband and I are there.

-Getting him to sleep is an extreme ordeal that usually requires an hour or more of negotiation and other methods to get him to sleep. He will react violently and irrationally even though we try to do whatever we think will help him fall asleep (read to him, leave a light on, allow him to play in his room with a nightlight on) He is fine being in his room as long as he isn't required to go to bed. In fact, he literally stays up until he's too tired to fight it anymore (which is usually 10:30 every night!)


-He will annoy, pester and injure his little sister without being provoked.

-The strangest thing is that one day he can have a completely "normal" day and not act out and the next day it's complete chaos. It's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. He can then react disproportionally to a situation saying "you hit me" when we absolutely did no such thing.


-He is very intelligent and can focus for hours doing puzzles and things that challenge him but has very little tolerance for things that do not go his way

-He is constantly seeking attention and wants to be played with all the time.


- He has a meltdown nearly everytime he is told "no" somedays and then barely flinches an eye other days.


Please help me! I don't know what to do. I have an appt scheduled with a psychiatrist but it's so far in the future (April) because they are backlogged.


Does anyone know what may be going on with him!?


Any advice will help.

Dear Winterprincess,

Your son's story sounds similar to the story of Clayton described 23:59 into this this video by Mark Hyman:

He had similar behavior problems. The underlying reasons were medical. One these were addressed, he was able to improve enormously.

- vital