Acting Out

Is your child prone to tantrums and misbehaving? If so you’re not alone! At the office of New Rochelle Psychiatry Office, we’re here to help.

It’s normal for kids to misbehave at times—and is a natural part of childhood development. However, if you feel that your child is acting out too often, has a lot of difficulty calming down, or is exhibiting behavior that is highly disruptive to you and your family, our services may be right for you.

There’s a wide range of behaviors that are considered normal and healthy. These behaviors vary, depending on your child’s age and personality. A two-year old, for example, is not able to regulate his emotions as well as an older child, thus the “terrible-twos.” This period is often associated with frustrations as kids are pushing the boundaries and exploring their independence, and, as a result, there may be heightened tantrums.

So when is acting out more than a phase? There isn’t a simple answer to this, but there are some areas you can assess that may indicate a behavioral problem, as indicated by the American Psychiatric Association. These include:

• Frequency: Are tantrums happening multiple times a day, and for how long?
• Intensity: Does the behavior come and go quickly? How severe is it? Is the child able to calm down after a tantrum?
• Disruptiveness: How much damage is the behavior causing you and your family? Does it interrupt family activities? Does it impact others? Does it cause a lot of conflict?

If you think your child is struggling with controlling the frequency, intensity or disruptiveness of her behavior, there are many ways to address these concerns. The first step is to schedule a consultation to discuss your child and the specific issues.  

At the office of New Rochelle Psychiatry Office, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate care. For more information on our office and the many services that we provide, give us a call today.