Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsDiagnosisManagingFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Managing
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s entirely normal for kids to throw tantrums, especially before age 6. However, frequent tantrums, which last more than 10 minutes or involve violence, can signify anger issues in kids.Anger can be linked to many experiences and conditions, fromtraumatoobsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Certain types of psychotherapy for kids along with parent management techniques for adults can help the entire family develop more effective coping methods.
Continue reading to learn more about anger management in kids, its causes, and other conditions that can contribute to anger issues.
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Causes of Anger Issues in Kids
If your child’s anger is affecting your home life as a family, their ability to make friends, or how they function in school, it may be cause for concern. The following are common disorders associated with anger issues in children:
Symptoms of Anger Issues in Kids
While tantrums are a normal part of development in children, extreme tantrums may be a sign of an underlying mental health issue. Most kids grow out of tantrums between the ages of 4 and 6. If your child continues to have tantrums after that, it can be a sign of anger issues.
In children younger than 6, prolonged tantrums lasting longer than 10 minutes can be a sign of anger issues. Children who routinely hurt themselves or others or destroy property should have a professional mental health evaluation.
If you suspect your child has anger issues, you should contact their pediatrician. If you have a school-age child, you should also talk to their teachers or school counselor. A pediatrician can all refer your child for a psychological evaluation.This might sound scary, but it will help you understand what’s going on with your child and get them the help they need.
A trainedchild psychiatristor child psychologist will examine your child. They’ll interact with your child directly and gather information from other parents, counselors, teachers, and law enforcement.
The psychological evaluation could reveal other diagnoses, like ADHD or autism spectrum disorder, that explain your child’s outbursts. The more information you have, the better equipped you are to help your child.
Managing Anger Issues in Kids
Once you find out what’s causing your child’s anger issues, you can manage them. This involves treating the underlying issues. This might include medication in some cases, such as for kids with OCD or ADHD.
Cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT) is often helpful for kids with anger issues, no matter what other diagnosis they have.CBT helps them understand their patterns and regulate their emotions—all in a very child-friendly manner.
Regardless of the root cause, behavioral changes for both the child and parents can help. Parent management techniques (PMT) teach parents how to handle their child’s behavior more productively.It’s focused on positive reinforcement rather than punishment. In addition to PMT, working with a family therapist to develop new communication and conflict resolution techniques can benefit the whole family.
Quick Tips
Addressing anger issues in kids often isn’t a quick fix. However, there are some simple steps you can keep in mind that might help minimize outbursts:
Summary
If you believe your child has anger issues, talk to your school counselor or pediatrician. Request a psychological evaluation, which can help diagnose the underlying cause of your child’s anger. Then, create a treatment plan with your child’s pediatrician, behavioral specialists, and therapists. This may include therapy for both the child and the parents.
A Word From Verywell
Dealing with anger issues in kids can be frightening. You may be concerned about your child getting into trouble with the law, hurting themselves, or hurting someone else. Getting treatment early on can help you and your child better control their behaviors and minimize the risk of serious consequences in the future.
The first step is to take your child for a psychological or psychiatric evaluation. This can help tease out any underlying issues like ADHD or trauma. After that, connect with a child and family therapist who has experience with anger issues in kids.
Low frustration tolerance and irritability are some of thesigns and symptoms of ADHD.If your child is aggressive or you believe they may have ADHD, talk with a mental health professional. Getting a diagnosis can help your child access the treatment they need, including medication if you and the doctor decide that’s right for them.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Yale Medicine.Anger, irritability, and agitation in kids.Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Disruptive disorders in children.Child Mind Institute.Is my child’s anger normal?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms and diagnosis of ADHD.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Yale Medicine.Anger, irritability, and agitation in kids.Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Disruptive disorders in children.Child Mind Institute.Is my child’s anger normal?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms and diagnosis of ADHD.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Yale Medicine.Anger, irritability, and agitation in kids.Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Disruptive disorders in children.Child Mind Institute.Is my child’s anger normal?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms and diagnosis of ADHD.
Yale Medicine.Anger, irritability, and agitation in kids.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Disruptive disorders in children.
Child Mind Institute.Is my child’s anger normal?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms and diagnosis of ADHD.
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