A 2-year-old is beating parents on waking up. How to approach this 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 2-year-old little daughter is beating us the moment she wakes up. So whenever she sleeps after some time she starts waking up and starts beating and after some time she is fine but with no past memory. She also says something while she is asleep. She is doing this every day.

Answered by Shania Zafar

Education:

MPhil

Professional Bio:

Ms. Shania Zafar is a dedicated Psychologist and Counsellor with extensive experience in supporting children and adolescents facing behavioral, emotional, and academic challenges. She focuses on helping her clients reduce distress, build coping strategies, and enhance their overall psychological well-being. Ms. Zafar combines evidence-based techniques with a compassionate, client-centered approach to create a safe and supportive environment for personal growth and mental health improvement. She provides tailored counseling and psychological support to young clients and their families.

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

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Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

As reported by you that your 2-year-old is hitting you, scratching her face, and banging her head, it seems like your daughter is engaging in self-harm behaviors. It is a way for children to cope with their negative emotions. I would like to know about the speech of your daughter. Is she able to express her need? Sometimes your child's needs remain unmet due to a lack of understanding by the caregivers or due to lack of speech so they end up engaging in self-harm behaviors.

1. Do not pay attention to her actions by punishing her as this would reinforce the behavior.

2. Focus on the child's feelings.

3. Help your child in calming down.

4. In the daytime try to spend quality time with her engaging in games and other play that your daughter likes.

5. Consult a psychologist to help her learn self-soothing strategies and also the psychologist would facilitate you in dealing with this complex behavior.

Thank you.

Answered by Shania Zafar
Medically reviewed by Dr. Divya Banu M
Published At May 26, 2019
Reviewed At December 4, 2023

Education:

MPhil

Professional Bio:

Ms. Shania Zafar is a dedicated Psychologist and Counsellor with extensive experience in supporting children and adolescents facing behavioral, emotional, and academic challenges. She focuses on helping her clients reduce distress, build coping strategies, and enhance their overall psychological well-being. Ms. Zafar combines evidence-based techniques with a compassionate, client-centered approach to create a safe and supportive environment for personal growth and mental health improvement. She provides tailored counseling and psychological support to young clients and their families.

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

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Divya Banu M is a dedicated Dental Surgeon with valuable clinical experience. She specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of various diseases and conditions affecting the oral cavity. With a gentle and patient-centered approach, she is committed to promoting oral health and enhancing smiles through quality dental care. Her areas of expertise include restorative dentistry, preventive dental care, and cosmetic dental procedures.

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

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

Shania Zafar
Shania Zafar

Psychologist/ Counselor

Education:

MPhil

Professional Bio:

Ms. Shania Zafar is a dedicated Psychologist and Counsellor with extensive experience in supporting children and adolescents facing behavioral, emotional, and academic challenges. She focuses on helping her clients reduce distress, build coping strategies, and enhance their overall psychological well-being. Ms. Zafar combines evidence-based techniques with a compassionate, client-centered approach to create a safe and supportive environment for personal growth and mental health improvement. She provides tailored counseling and psychological support to young clients and their families.

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

Consult other doctors in the same speciality
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