Childhood histrionics, when anything goes to get attention
The development of a person is a complicated and difficult process that can be affected by multiple factors. Not only on a physical level, the formation of the personality is also a difficult process. For very good teaching that is given to children, it is very possible that at some point they present negative attitudes that are symptoms of a more serious problem.
An example is the desire to draw attention that many children show throughout their lives. It is not uncommon to see that the little ones often get upset in order to get them to look at them and everyone turns their eyes towards them. But sometimes, this attitude that may seem so normal, can hide a more serious problem. This is the case of childhood histrionic disorder, which means that the least resort to any instrument at hand in order to claim the care they believe they deserve.
Common tantrums
How to differentiate the claim from Attention normal in all children of a histrionic disorder? This task is more difficult than it seems since the symptoms of this problem in the personality can be very difficult to differentiate from the behavior in the minors. According to the International Classification of Diseases, these are some details that can put parents on the track:
- Tendency to the excessive expression of emotions. The children laugh louder and when they cry they make sure they have their audience watching, they care more that someone looks at them than let off steam from these emotions.
- Ease when falling under the influence of others.
- Surface affectivity. The child looks for a hug or a caress simply to feel the center of attention, not for sharing affection. It is usual that when another child is receiving a show of affection, the small histrionic comes to his side.
- Search for situations that allow to be the center of attention.
- Concern about physical appearance. On visits to friends' homes the child always asks if he is handsome to his parents.
- Excessive tantrums when they are not the center of attention, dramatize until everyone turns their eyes towards them.
Development of histrionic children
It is very important to treat these symptom and not wait for them to go over time or just punishing the children. This problem in the personality must be treated from a specialist since it is possible that in the future it will get worse. Histrionic children eventually end up using tools such as emotional blackmail to get away with it and becoming an adult are unable to maintain a relationship where they are not the center of attention.
If your child shows some of these symptoms, it is key to go to the specialist to start a correct therapy. This will focus on refocusing the child's personality so that it is he who is supported and does not depend on the outside to be happy. At home we must accept this disorder in children and know that in the future there will be situations that make the child behave badly in seeking care.
Accepting the histrionic child does not mean that boundaries should not be set. These are very important in therapy against this personality disorder and never show submission to their whims. If the child starts having a tantrum as a result of his lack of attention, he can be taken a few moments away from the rest of the company until he calms down.
At home you also have to try to redirect the child's personality by encouraging good behaviors. When the child behaves correctly, he / she will be allowed to participate more in the circle, but if it is noticed that he / she wants to be the center of attention, he / she will have to fail him / her. The objective is to make him understand that he is part of a community where everyone is equal.
Damián Montero
