Children and young people will experience natural feelings of anger, upset and disappointment in their lives and these feelings are valuable for them to learn to manage their emotions.
While reactions to difficult feelings are part of the process of growing up, if you notice any extreme changes in behaviour, it could be time to get some extra advice
Risky behaviour - endangering themselves or others, such as unprotected sexual activity, sexting and risky use of social media, smoking, alcohol or binge drinking, illegal substance use, dangerous driving or illegal activities like trespassing and vandalism.Challenging Behaviour
Feeling angry, stressed or disappointed are all normal emotions for children and young people. It's important they experience these types of feelings which are valuable in order to teach them how to manage their emotions as they grow up.
There will be periods of time when children and young people's bodies and brains develop which can affect their behaviour and emotions. Their teenage brain is beginning a developmental journey to adulthood, and changes in hormone levels can lead to changeable moods.
In response to these feelings, young people may show a range of behaviours. It's normal for young children to 'have a tantrum' or hit out at times, in the same way it's normal for teenagers to lash out and storm off. Most children and teenagers will push these boundaries to test their independence.
If however, these challenging behaviours happen often, become difficult to deal with or begin to have an impact on their day-to-day life, then it might be time to seek more advice from your GP or another health professional.
Find out more about challenging behaviours in children and teenagers
Feeling out of control can lead children and teenagers to behave in ways that are out of the ordinary from their usual behaviour. You might notice them doing things over and over again and they may find that they just can’t seem to stop. This could look like:
Performing rituals over and over again because they make them feel safeChildren and young people may get into this cycle to avoid a difficult feeling or to have some kind of control over a situation. Habits like these can give them a sense of short-term relief, only to start the cycle again when the relief goes. This cycle can feel hard to break out of and feel upsetting for you and your child, but with the right support, they can get through this.
Advice from Young Minds on feeling out of control
Mania and Hypomania are periods of overactive, high-energy behaviours that have an impact on the life of the person experiencing it. If it affects your child or teenager, they may notice feelings of being extremely 'high', which is different to a normal good mood because the feelings are very intense and go on for a long time. Mania and Hypomania (a milder form) can appear in different ways.
Mania can appear on its own for no apparent reason, or it can be seen as a symptom of other mental health conditions like Bipolar Disorder or Schizoaffective Disorder.
More information about Mania & Hypomania
If your child or teenager is affected by risky behaviours, they may find some reassurance in making a plan of what to do if it happens again.
A crisis plan may sound scary, but it's a really simple way of talking together and preparing yourselves in advance of these behaviours. There are simple steps which can make you more prepared in future. You may decide to call it a support plan, or something else with your young person to make it feel less intimidating.
Exploring ideas for support
You could speak to your GP, find details of mental health helplines or show them the mental health support available through the website or services like Kooth, which is easy to access if they need it.
Make plans with family and friends
Speak with your child or teenager to find out how they might be able to let you know if they are worried, how you can help them, who they can contact and what treatment they would prefer. This can be written down and kept somewhere safe so it's available to other family and friends.
Read more about making a crisis plan
For 24/7 immediate advice, support and signposting for people with mental health difficulties please contact 111 and select the mental health option. You can also contact the Shout mental health service by texting SHOUT to 85258. You can also contact your GP, who can help you access support.
If someone’s life is at risk or they cannot be kept safe, call 999 or go to A&E.
For 10 to 18-year-olds, Kooth is a free, confidential and safe way to receive online counselling, advice and emotional well-being support.
Childline - Children and young people under 19 can call 0800 1111 for free support.
Young Minds Parents Helpline - Call 0808 802 5544 for free Mon-Fri from 9.30am to 4pm.
To speak to other Norfolk parents and carers, you can join our online community forum below.
