Skip to main content

How to Tackle these Behavioral Issues in Children/Teenagers

 

Would you believe that a whopping 20% rise has been observed in the number of cases of mental illness at the end of March 2020. And then the pandemic happened. The devastating after-effects of the COVID pandemic and subsequent lockdowns took a serious toll on everyone's mental and physical health, and children and adolescents are no exception.

So, if you observe your child behave irrationally or display unnatural behaviour, don't panic. It is perfectly normal!

Is your child/teenager having any of the following behavioral issues?

  • Mood Swings, Anxiety
    One moment your teenager is bubbly and cheerful, then suddenly her mood changes, and she becomes irritable. Or is chewing nails in anxiety while furiously texting. You can help children handle their moods by simply being a non-judgmental listener.
  • Anger issues and Self Isolation: Your child sometimes creates a wall around him/her, and refuses to open up. All your attempts to break that wall brings no result, and you can easily feel frustrated. Excessive anger outbursts from children are also symbolic of their desperation to communicate or get attention. 

  • Eating or Sleep Disorders: Binge eating, or conversely under-eating was always a problem in teenagers and pre-teens as a quick fix solution to low mood or stress. Deal sensitively with this issue.
    Don't ban foods or force feed anything. If he/she is unable to have proper sleep, encourage exercise and non-gadget engagement. Ensure regular sleep timings and lead by example.
  • Excessive Social Media Usage: With the entire education process online, you can’t blame your child for being always on the mobile. They spend their entire waking hours on the net, as their circle of friends and social support is online rather than in person. You need to accept it as a part of life, and stop over-reacting.
  • Depression: Depression is now affecting almost one-third of the adult population around the world. But what is worse is children falling prey to this vicious disease. When you notice your child withdrawing, or clamming up, try to talk to them and offer to access professional help.  
  • Suicidal Thoughts: Yes, you read it right. Young children on the threshold of their lives are seriously thinking of “ending it all”; that’s the level of desperation. Suicidal thoughts are common in today's children and teenagers. Involve them in household activities as much as possible. Share your own problems with them. And finally, seek professional help to guide your child, if your communication channels break down.

5 Ways You can Effectively and Sensitively Handle these Issues

  • Listen patiently and openly, whenever your child is trying to say something
  • Be open and approachable in all matters. Nothing should be taboo for them to discuss with you.
  • Resist the urge to criticize them even if you don't agree to what they are saying/doing
  • Don't criticize their friends, or the choices they make
  • Ask questions that are not offensive or judgmental
  • Lead by example. If you are always on social media, they will also be. You can't lecture one thing and do the opposite.
  • Seek help in the form of mental health counselling or therapy. It is nothing to be ashamed of. Our mind is a part of our body and is as likely to face problems or breakdown, as our stomach or liver can.
In the end, remember, you were in their shoes at one time. There is nothing "abnormal" or "unnatural" in their behaviour. It is not the best of times to live in, and they are coping in the best way they can. 

Family can provide the best cushion against the prevalent chaos. Involve your parents or trusted elders in enveloping your child/teenager in acceptance and love.

Your acceptance and quiet support means a lot to your disturbed child.



Be the parent you wanted your parent to be!


#parenting #adolescentproblems #teentrouble #dealingwithmentalissues 
#familysupport #supportiveparent
#emotionalhealthofteens

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Self-Supported Publishing - Boon or Scam?

When I started writing stories, I felt some people would find solace in my words. The purpose wasn't to earn money through selling books, but yes, money would be welcome when it came. The idea was to provide readers with something they could connect with. As it is, the process of writing involves immense churning within, and exhaustive editing and finishing after you have finally written what you want to. Any creator will tell you it is almost like birthing a child. Self-doubt assails you, you get nervous and unsure about your work, you aren't sure the denouement is looking apt, or the characters are relatable.  Then comes the commercial aspect of it all - as a new writer, you have to keep an eye on the reader's liking, avoid esoteric words and concepts, and make your content readable and catchy. Finally, what starts is the toughest part. Yes. Finding a publisher for your work.  Common Publishing Models For the uninitiated, there are basically two types of publishing models...
1 comment
Read more

Enough! No more rape!

The recent horrifying, stomach-churning incident in Kolkata is not a one-time aberration. It keeps occuring in our country. And we women are also responsible for this stinking rot in society. Ask yourself these uncomfortable questions. How many of you protest when a girl wearing "revealing clothes" is cat-called?  Did you show your support for our wrestlers protesting against a habitual offender? Did your blood boil when you saw pictures of our sisters in Manipur paraded naked?  When rapists are released from prison or routinely escape punishment, do you raise your voice? How many of you have tolerated violence or even casual sexism in your own home? Do you turn the other way when transgenders are leered at? Do you grin and bear it when the men in your family crack obscene jokes? Do Kathua and Hathras ring a bell? And lastly, how many of you thronged cinema halls to make misogynistic horrors like Animal and Kabir Singh blockbusters? I have asked myself and am distinctly feeli...
Post a Comment
Read more

Laapataa Ladies - the Unfortunate Story of Lost Women

Laapataa Ladies is a deceptively simple, yet extremely thought-provoking satire couched in a simple story of exchanged brides. Image Source: IMdB This is the unfortunate story of countless ordinary women living under the veil, in the shadow of uncaring men. Who can't remember any details of their husband or the sasural they are married into. Who are trained only to obey their husband, do their duty in the kitchen, and follow orders of in-laws. Who don't have the liberty to study or do something for their own betterment. What can we expect for such women, except a lifetime of slavery? If the husband happens to be good, then there's some ray of hope. If he's a rascal, then God save her. Thanks to Kiran Rao for addressing the woes of 80% of Indian women living in nameless villages. And thanks for calling out the "greatest fraud" - the fraud of getting ready for marriage and domesticity. Where you can make the perfect kalakand, but you can't find your way...
Post a Comment
Read more