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What Causes Persistent Mood Swings In A Child?

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Posted on Wed, 25 Oct 2017
Question: Dear Doctor,
Dear Doctor

My boy is turning 3 years old in one month time . Recently his mood swings are very bad and unpredictable. He can be good all day and suddenly make ridiculous demand and burst into crying and yelling even when we gave in.

Classic example in the morning . He woke up in the morning as usual, my Wife will prepare a bottle of formula as a routine when he wakes up in the morning . Out of a sudden he said he wants mummy to pour all the milk out of the bottle because he wants to see the process which he missed !!! We gave in and that did not stop . He simply try n manipulate mummy and whatever he wants just doesn't make sense ! He doesn't let mummy brush teeth the next moment and was yelling m screaming uncontrollably!!! Then he don let us close the door the next moment and that lasted 30 minutes but felt like 2 hours. We tried to ignore him and make sure he don't injured himself while the tantrums are at the peak . We try and talk senses to him but that escalated to any issue that he suddenly don't like !!!

Nothing works !!! And it get worse lately.
Especially in the morning when he wake up or before going to sleep .

Please advise me what can I do
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (38 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Coping problems - Needs immediate attention.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. Incidentally, such problems are often encountered in children and need to be dealt with caution. Unless the parents and caregivers can gain a proper understanding of how to deal with such a child, things might tend to get out of hand. I would strongly urge you to visit a child psychologist. He would be able to carefully evaluate the situation and suggest how best to handle the situation. He would also be able to undertake cognitive behavioral therapy and behavior response therapy. Unless dealt with properly at this stage things would worsen further subsequently.

Please do not ignore it. It will call for significant patience and modification of response from your side if you are to deal with such a child. With proper interventions the child would be able to cope better and the situation will improve.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Diptanshu Das

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3875 Questions

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What Causes Persistent Mood Swings In A Child?

Brief Answer: Coping problems - Needs immediate attention. Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. Incidentally, such problems are often encountered in children and need to be dealt with caution. Unless the parents and caregivers can gain a proper understanding of how to deal with such a child, things might tend to get out of hand. I would strongly urge you to visit a child psychologist. He would be able to carefully evaluate the situation and suggest how best to handle the situation. He would also be able to undertake cognitive behavioral therapy and behavior response therapy. Unless dealt with properly at this stage things would worsen further subsequently. Please do not ignore it. It will call for significant patience and modification of response from your side if you are to deal with such a child. With proper interventions the child would be able to cope better and the situation will improve. Let me know if I could help further. Regards