Child Anger Management Begins with Proper Diagnosis
In most cases, children feel anger when they are frustrated in not getting things to go their way. Child anger management is important in helping families cope with these issues, especially if they have escalated to a point where the behavior of the child is becoming disruptive and frightening.
Finding the Root of the Anger
Many kids are not taught about the limitations on the acceptable ways of anger expression. There are scenarios when kids have parents who weren’t the best example in anger handling. Some simply don’t like constraining their children, even if they start becoming too aggressive. These can be good enough reasons to see anger issues in a child.
However, there are cases where both parents have been perfect role models to their children. They have disciplined their children in reasonable and healthy ways. Yet, the anger issues are still there. If this is the case, it is possible that there are underlying clinical or psychological conditions that are hindering the child’s ability to control his emotions properly.
When parents have gone above and beyond in dealing with their child’s anger, it may be time to warrant a professional consultation and seek expert help.
Other Diagnoses that May Cause the Problem
There really is no way to “diagnose” angry behavior, but there are a number of conditions whose symptoms include uncontrollable anger. These include: bipolar disorder, child antisocial behavior, oppositional disorder, ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, sensory processing issues, and anxiety. Only through consultation and assessment by a licensed psychotherapist can a final diagnosis be made.
Whatever the official diagnosis is, “labeling” the child is not enough. It is urgent for parents to understand that when the child’s anger becomes uncontrollable, professional treatment is a necessity. A child will have warning signs, and if these remain unheeded, his outbursts can escalate into violence, self-harm, and even crime.
Role of Parents in Child Anger Management
Parents should never think that a child’s anger will pass – it is not just a phase that he’ll grow out of. Denial that there is a problem can only lead to bigger problems sooner or later. Before childhood anger spirals out of control, it is the duty of parents to face it head on by seeking the expert guidance that they need.
Positive Kids Canada has been a top resource for parents and families whose children have been battling with anger issues. Contact us today to learn more about our anger management for children strategies and therapies, how we can cater to your specific needs, as well as parenting tips and advice on coping and dealing with the impact of aggressive child behavior.
Additional Child Anger Management Reading: Aggression May Be Due to Undiagnosed Medical or Psychologic Conditions
–David Gottlieb, Ph.D. talks about anger overload in children, as well as the related diagnostic and treatment issues.
–Ana Nogales writes about how a child’s anger can be a warning signal for parents to foresee (on Psychology Today).