It Is Not A Tantrum, It Is A Manifestation Of Pain: A Psychologist Talks About ‘Difficult’ Children
When we look at a child and they’re acting out or they’re yelling and they’re screaming. I’m not saying what is he doing? I’m thinking… what happened to you?
Dr. Saliha Afridi is a clinical psychologist with over a decade of experience. She is the founder of The Lighthouse Arabia, a prominent community mental health and wellness clinic that provides quality psychological and psychiatric care to children, adults, couples, and families.
Dr Saliha has dedicated her career to dissolving the stigma surrounding mental health and has been at the forefront of the mental health movement within the UAE and the region
She is an important voice in the mental health movement in the UAE… Watch her interview below to heal your inner child!
Dr Saliha provides valuable insights into the roots of aggressive and violent behaviour in children and how to address them:
- Family Environment: The family environment plays a significant role in shaping a child’s behaviour. If a child is exposed to aggression, yelling, shouting, or other forms of violence in the home, they may learn and replicate these behaviours. Parents should be aware of the impact of their own actions and interactions on their children.
- Emotional Dysregulation: Children may exhibit aggressive behaviour when they are emotionally dysregulated. When they experience emotions that are too overwhelming for them to process, it can lead to acting out, which may manifest as aggression. These emotional states can be considered a form of trauma for the child.
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3. Individual Differences: Not all children from the same family will respond to their home environment in the same way. Each child has a unique personality and nervous system. Siblings can have very different personalities and coping mechanisms, even when raised in the same environment.
4. Parental Responsiveness: Dr. Saliha emphasizes the importance of parents being attuned to each child’s needs and characteristics. Parents may need to adapt their parenting style to accommodate the individual needs of each child. Being a “child whisperer” means understanding and responding to the specific needs of each child to help them reach their full potential.
5. Hidden Struggles: A child who appears calm and chill may actually be hiding their struggles or feeling overwhelmed. It’s important for parents to be attuned to their child’s emotional state and not assume that outward appearances reflect their inner experiences.
Being a child in today’s world is tough. Being a caregiver even more so, watch Dr Saliha talk about ‘Caregiver burnout’ here:
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If you or someone you know is experiencing mental distress, please don’t hesitate to reach out to The Light House Arabia for professional support and guidance. Your mental well-being matters.
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