Teens may use self-inflicted injury as a way to cope with (or find relief from) emotional pain, strong feelings (such as anger, hurt, sadness, despair, shame, frustration, rejection, or isolation), intense pressure, or relationship problems.
So your child is likely frustrated or looking for attention. The banging or hitting may even be self-stimulatory—meaning it feels good and is meeting a sensory need. If the root cause isn't obvious, Carter says families should spend a week recording observations.
Sometimes a child or teenager may not know the reasons they self-harm. For many young people, self-harm can feel like a way to cope with difficult feelings or to release tension. The physical pain of hurting themselves can feel like a distraction from the emotional pain they're struggling with.
Praise them when they express their feelings calmly or calm themselves down after an explosion. Don't give in to their demands. Teaching kids problem-solving and communication skills can help them choose better ways to express their feelings. You can also prevent some anger in children by identifying their triggers.
Many teenagers use self-harm as a way to “self-soothe.” This means they engage in self-injurious behaviors as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions, stressful situations, traumatic memories, etc. For some teens, self-harm is used in moments where an immediate release of built-up tension is needed.
Teens get angry for all the same reasons that adults do. However, teens are still growing and learning, and might not yet have the strategies to manage their anger and other emotions. They are also experiencing puberty and hormonal changes, which can affect their emotions and contribute to seemingly random mood swings.
Most kids have tantrums occasionally. But if they happen a lot, they could be signs of a problem, especially in a child older than eight. It can be really concerning if the outbursts are dangerous to the child or others, cause problems at home and school, and makes the child feel as if they can't control their anger.
For children, anger issues often accompany other mental health conditions, including ADHD, autism, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and Tourette's syndrome. Genetics and other biological factors are thought to play a role in anger/aggression. Environment is a contributor as well.
Being alone, frustrated, tired, or angry can make a toddler hit themself. Identifying and treating the underlying cause and comforting can help the toddler stop this self-injurious behavior. You may ensure the safety of toddlers who tend to hit themselves by keeping away dangerous objects from their reach.
Teens may use self-inflicted injury as a way to cope with (or find relief from) emotional pain, strong feelings (such as anger, hurt, sadness, despair, shame, frustration, rejection, or isolation), intense pressure, or relationship problems.
You're busy and tired, so it can be difficult when children don't behave or things don't go to plan. Other common triggers for anger in parents are when you feel like your partner isn't helping, when your child misbehaves or gets angry at you, or when you're stressed about something like finances or relationships.
If you notice your child hurting themselves, or you think your child is considering self-harm, it's important to speak with a child mental health expert. (If you're noticing more physical behavior, like head-banging or cutting, it's important to seek a medical evaluation as well, to make sure their bodies are a-okay.)
Gently hold their hand/hands and say something like 'No hitting', 'we don't hit in this house', 'hitting hurts, you must stop'. At this stage, don't enter into a big conversation about what's happened. Let your child know that you understand they are angry and they can tell you about it.
Head banging is common in toddlers, often used for self-soothing, expressing frustration, seeking attention, or relieving pain. To stop head banging, show empathy, provide attention, avoid scolding, and hide your worries. Creating a soothing bedtime routine can help reduce head banging before sleep.
ADHD kids can be so much more irritable. They are hyper sensitive to all 5 senses which increases anger, frustration, and can cause less stable moods throughout the day! Sometimes it might feel that they don't try at all.
Kids with ADHD can also have tantrums or meltdowns. These meltdowns can be extreme and often involve crying, yelling, and fits of anger. When a child has a meltdown, parents may feel overwhelmed and not know what to do.
Drastic changes and new experiences can be overwhelming and lead to meltdowns. Your child's meltdowns often happen precisely because they're a tween. They aren't too old for yelling or slamming doors or throwing things or saying hurtful things. They're just the right age.
With puberty around the corner, they may have more mood swings. They may be more sensitive or get discouraged easily, or become more self-conscious about their body. They'll still tend to see adults as authority figures, follow their rules, and accept the beliefs of your family.
Kids with ADHD often have behavior problems. They get angry quickly, throw tantrums, and refuse to do things they don't want to do. These kids aren't trying to be bad. The problem is that ADHD can make it hard for them to do things they find difficult or boring.
At times, they may feel irritable, sad, and even depressed. They may feel many different emotions related to their sexuality, including desire, confusion, and fear. Emotions start to level out by the end of puberty.
During puberty your child's emotions may become stronger and more intense. Their mood might change more frequently, quickly and randomly. Your child may have strong emotions that they've never experienced before. It's common for them to feel confused, scared or angry and not know why.
Intermittent explosive disorder (IED) is an impulse-control disorder characterized by sudden episodes of unwarranted anger. The disorder is typified by hostility, impulsivity, and recurrent aggressive outbursts. People with IED essentially “explode” into a rage despite a lack of apparent provocation or reason.