Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Child Behavior Community
This patient support community is for discussions relating to child behavior, discipline (behavior management), parent-child communications, and social development.
3 year old with uncontrollable crying
by lizz2217, Jan 06, 2008 08:06PM
Our 3 year old is relatively a very happy child. Occasionally, she will start a crying fit that can last anywhere from an hour to most recently, 4 hours. She sometimes doesn't make any sense when she is talking and cannot tell you what she wants. Other times, it will start at one thing and once you fill that need, she will say something else she wants. It is to the point where she is becoming violent and I'm afraid she is going to hyperventilate. The only consistency I see is it's usually when she is tired, or has been woken up prematurely. Is this a sign of a psychological problem? What can I do to help her? These episodes are becoming more frequent.
Member Comments (6)
by kg17, Jan 06, 2008 08:35PM
To: lizz2217
Make certain that your home life and your daughter's schedule is as wam, structured, and consistent as possible. Most 3-year-olds require between 10-12 hours of sleep per day - some of that time as nap. Keep naptimes, bedtimes, and meal/snack times as consistent as possible. When your child is in the middle of a fit, COMPLETELY IGNORE her and walk away - do not engage in talking or negotiation until the fit is completely done. This will help teach her that fits do not help in anyway. Most parents have a very hard time with the ignore part - this is critical as you cannot show any emotion or reaction. If still having difficulty in a month or two, see her pediatrician for a referral to good child psychologist.
by althepal39, Jan 07, 2008 09:54AM
I would not ignore a 4 hour crying fit. It is not normal behavior. You need to get this child to a doctor.
by althepal39, Jan 07, 2008 09:55AM
I would not ignore a 4 hour crying fit. It is not normal behavior. You need to get this child to a doctor.
by althepal39, Jan 07, 2008 09:55AM
I would not ignore a 4 hour crying fit. It is not normal behavior. You need to get this child to a doctor.
by kg17, Jan 07, 2008 11:46AM
To: lizz2217
If the fits have been inadvertantly reinforced over a period of time, when you begin an extinction program (i.e., COMPLETELY IGNORE), the behavior will most certainly escalate before it eradicates. Of course, the parent must see to it that all other needs of the child are met first (adequate sleep, proper diet, calm and loving home environment).
by althepal39, Jan 07, 2008 12:32PM
I'd take her for an evaluation anyway
Post Comment
