How to manage sudden changes in my child's behavior?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

My son will be 2 years old by next month. When he gets into trouble, he hits himself or inflicts self-harm. He has trouble sleeping at night and wakes up screaming. His eating habits have changed, and he leaves the table abruptly while eating and comes back later. The behavioral changes were first noticed when he was 1 year old and has gradually worsened. He is currently not on any medication. Please help.

Answered by Dr. Padmapriya Chandran

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Padmapriya Chandran is a psychiatrist, psychologist, and Counsellor with 20 years of clinical experience. She completed her MBBS in 2003 and DPM in 2008 from The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University. She diagnoses illnesses, manages treatment, and provides a range of therapies for complex and serious mental illnesses. As a psychologist, she focuses on providing psychotherapy (talk therapy) to help patients. She is currently practicing in Chennai.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

We understand your concern and will help you get the best medical opinion.

The behavioral changes that you described are a part of normal toddler behavior. The parent needs to be calm while handling him. He will get excited if you are disturbed by his behavior. This is the age in which children do not understand what is right and wrong. Be consistent in disciplining him. Otherwise, he will not obey you. Once he starts going to play school, his behavior will improve. He requires peer group interaction. Allow him to play with children of his age so that he learns to be socially active. Take him for a physical activity like swimming regularly. Therefore, he will fall asleep at night. Be patient with him.

I hope your query was resolved. You can revert for further follow-up.

Thanks and best regards.

Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At June 19, 2023
Reviewed At October 13, 2023

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Padmapriya Chandran is a psychiatrist, psychologist, and Counsellor with 20 years of clinical experience. She completed her MBBS in 2003 and DPM in 2008 from The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University. She diagnoses illnesses, manages treatment, and provides a range of therapies for complex and serious mental illnesses. As a psychologist, she focuses on providing psychotherapy (talk therapy) to help patients. She is currently practicing in Chennai.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Padmapriya Chandran
Dr. Padmapriya Chandran

Psychiatry

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Padmapriya Chandran is a psychiatrist, psychologist, and Counsellor with 20 years of clinical experience. She completed her MBBS in 2003 and DPM in 2008 from The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University. She diagnoses illnesses, manages treatment, and provides a range of therapies for complex and serious mental illnesses. As a psychologist, she focuses on providing psychotherapy (talk therapy) to help patients. She is currently practicing in Chennai.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality
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