A child hits himself on the head: reasons, doctor's advice

Faced an extraordinary problem, when a child hits himself on the head? What to do in this case, and what are the reasons for this behavior of the baby? Let's try to understand the possible motives of such an act, and also share the advice of specialists on how to cope with such a problem.

Autoaggression

In psychology and psychotherapy such behavior of a person is denoted by the term "autoaggression". This state manifests itself in various forms: in verbal (blaming oneself), in physical (strokes, cuts, bites). The causes of the appearance of such pathology are different, in many respects they depend on the age of a person. Many researchers believe that autoaggression is a kind of protective reaction to an irritant. This condition in children from 2 to 16 years of age is often enough. To ignore the child's aggression directed at himself, in no case be impossible, as this can lead to the development of serious nervous conditions or mental disorder. Below we will consider the most common reasons why a child hits himself on the head.

Lack of attention

One of the most common causes of children's auto-aggression is the lack of attention of adults. Often such a situation is observed in families in which a second child has appeared. When all the attention of adults is focused on the younger brother (sister), the older kid is acutely suffering from a lack of communication with adults. Then the child hits his head in order to attract attention. Moreover, this behavior is observed in pre-school children and in adolescents. To solve the situation, adults need to pay more attention to the child, to show care and love.

Unfavorable situation in the family

The next common cause of this behavior of the child is the unfavorable psychological situation in the family. Frequent quarrels of parents, physical violence in the family, of course, violate the fragile psyche of the child. The kid is simply lost, does not understand what is happening, and can not find a solution to the existing problem. In such a situation, a difficult child grows up, as is commonly called in society, who constantly fusses, fights, shows aggression both to himself and to those around him. In this situation, the psychological state of the baby depends only on the further behavior of adults, their decisions about the situation in the family situation.

Age crises

Researchers noted that in certain age periods, cases are often recorded when a child hits himself on the head. 1 year is the stage when the baby begins to perceive himself outside the mother's body; Understand that he can do anything on his own. If adults try to limit his freedom, some kids show their disagreement in the form of autoaggression.

The next crisis period comes in 3 years. At this age, the kid actively demonstrates his own opinion, even if he himself understands that it is erroneous. It is during this period that the negative behavior of the child is most often manifested, which is a child's protest against the interference of adults in his space and the limitations of independence.

Well, perhaps, the most difficult and lasting crisis period is a teenage one. If at this age the child shows an autoaggression, then one should immediately understand the reasons for this behavior, talk with the adolescent, and if necessary, seek professional help from a doctor.

Manipulation

Is the baby hitting himself on the head? The reasons for this behavior can hide in egocentrism. In this way the baby can try to get what he wants. Most often, preschool children or junior schoolchildren do this. The child, realizing that for adults the opinion of others is important, begins to be capricious right in the store, demanding to buy him a toy. Parents who find themselves in such a situation often go to the occasion of the baby, since the place does not have a long conversation with the child, and even more so to punish the disobedient crumbs. But, once received in this way the desired, the kid only more often will be manipulated by adults. In such a situation, it is by no means possible to fulfill the child's requirements - it is necessary to clearly identify the boundaries of what is permitted and strictly observe them.

Mental illness

In rare cases, the cause of this behavior of the child is a neurological or mental illness. Diagnosis of the pathological condition can only specialist, after carrying out the necessary diagnostic studies. It is possible to suspect the disease in the event that close adult baby can not find the reasons for this behavior of the child, as well as in sudden attacks of autoaggression. For example, the karapuz played cubes, laughed at the same time, was not worried or distressed, but suddenly began to beat himself on the head, and then he again started a fun game. It is especially important to pay attention to the vagaries of the child at an early age - when the crumb still can not explain why he does it and what worries him.

What to do: expert advice

First of all, to solve such a problem, adults need to understand the reasons for this behavior of the baby. For this it is necessary to observe for a certain period, under what circumstances the child hits himself on the head. If the cause is found, it should be removed immediately. For example, if a child manifests such a reaction to punishment, lack of attention of adults, difficulties encountered in school, then one should support the crumb, talk with him about his experiences and fears. It is not so much the content that matters, how much the trusting atmosphere, the benevolent mood of the adult's conversation with the baby. The child should feel the genuine support and understanding from the adult.

An effective means of combating children's autoaggression is sport. For example, boys can be invited to enroll in the football section, and girls may like gymnastics or modern dances. Such leisure will not only reduce anxiety and aggression, but also help children increase their self-confidence and realize their potential and abilities.

If parents can not cope with the problem of autoaggression in a child, you should seek help from a neurologist and a psychologist. So, the first specialist will offer calming phytopreparations. Such medicines not only do not harm the baby's health, but also at the correct dosage will enrich the child's body with useful elements and vitamins.

Psychologists are increasingly used in such cases, art therapy, hippotherapy and treatment with the help of animals. The first method is an expression of negative emotions, aggression through artistic creation.

Hippotherapy literally means "treatment by a horse". With the help of this method, a reduction in tension, clamping not only psychological but also physical is achieved.

A similar technique is the Enamel therapy, based on the communication of the baby with different animals, most often cats, rabbits, decorative dogs.

Thus, we told what can be done if a "difficult" child exhibits an autoaggression. So, the main task of adults is the timely detection of a pathological condition and rendering possible assistance to a baby, which is manifested in caring, attention, support of the baby in a difficult situation for him.