Behavioural Problems in Children

Testimonial

February 2006 was the first time we noticed the rash on David resulting with admissions to Mayo General and Crumlin Hospital in Dublin. The doctors in Mayo General treated David’s rash with hydrocortisone intravenously and sent him home after 2 days. However, the rash persisted and we noticed David’s behaviour becoming extremely erratic, anxious and fretful; he would talk to himself, spit at us and total strangers, not wanting to walk anywhere, laugh one minute and cry the next. This type of behaviour lasted approximately 4 weeks.

The consultants in The Crumlin initially said that David’s behaviour was a drug reaction likened to a “psychoses”, probably caused by the steroids. The rest that David presented with was caused by a mycoplasma in his blood.

We heard about The Amber Centre through a friend of mine at work and the rest as they say is history!! David is very well and hasn’t looked back since being at The Amber Centre.

I kept a diary throughout this very stressful and difficult time recording David’s behaviour and reactions. By the middle of April 2006 David was well again, we had our little boy back again!!

Kind regards,
Melanie Brady
Co. Mayo


What are Behavioural Problems?

Behavioural problems can occur in children of all ages. Very often they start in early life. Toddlers and young children may refuse to do as they are asked by adults, in spite of being asked many times. They can be rude, swear and have tantrums. Hitting and kicking of other people is common. So is breaking or spoiling things that matter to others.
Children with a conduct disorder may get involved in more violent physical fights, and may steal or lie, without any sign of remorse or guilt when they are found out. They refuse to follow rules and may start to break the law.


Causes

A child is more likely to develop an oppositional defiant disorder/conduct disorder if they:

 have a difficult temperament;
 have learning or reading difficulties - these make it difficult for them to understand and take part in lessons. It is then easy for them to get bored, feel stupid and misbehave;
 are depressed;
 have been bullied or abused;
 are `hyperactive' - this causes difficulties with self-control, paying attention and following rules

Symptoms

Children with Behavioural Problems:

• are restless, fidgety and overactive
• continuously chatter and interrupt people
• are easily distracted and do not finish things
• are inattentive and cannot concentrate on tasks
• are impulsive, suddenly doing things without thinking first
• have difficulty waiting their turn in games, in conversation or in a queue
This type of behaviour is common in most children. It becomes a problem when these characteristics are exaggerated, compared to other children of the same age, and when the behaviour affects the child's social and school life. Often the signs will have been obvious since the child was a toddler.

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