How to manage negative behavior in an eight-year-old?

Question

Hello doctor,

My 8-year-old daughter throws fits about everything, always speaks negative, says the meanest things possible, is unhappy 98 % of the time, never says anything positive, will be in a good mood then suddenly flip out, if she cannot find something she flips out. The list goes on and on. I am completely heartbroken for her, watching her and have tried nearly everything thinking it was nothing more than a child that had been given the world but I realize it is much deeper than that.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your situation in trying to deal with your daughter's behaviour. Is her behaviour the same everywhere? What do the teachers say? Does she interact well with her friends? It will help to know whether her behavioral issues are limited to home or present at school as well?

A detailed assessment including developmental history will be needed to formulate the reasons behind her behavior. It needs to be clarified whether this is a behavioral issue or whether there is an underlying emotional problem manifesting as oppositional behavior. Discuss with her school teacher first. Explore whether she can see a psychologist based at school, if available. If problems are significant and persistent, it is advisable to consult a child psychologist or child psychiatrist near your place for a comprehensive assessment and manage accordingly.

Continue with clear and consistent boundaries. Parenting in this situation can be difficult and exhausting but consistency is the key. Get support from your partner, grandparents as applicable. Most children eventually learn to adhere to parental rules and boundaries. Getting appropriate support will help to make the situation better. Take care.