Tics:
Repetitive, involuntary and purposeless movements in the muscles are called tics. They most commonly occur in the form of blinking, sniffing, eyebrow movement, shoulder shrugging and various facial expressions. A typical finding is that the patient can stop these movements by their own will for a few minutes to a few hours. Treatment of tic disorders, which are considered to have a psychological origin, requires a multifaceted approach. In addition to family counseling, psychotherapy and behavioral therapy for the child, anti-anxiety medications can be given for a short time in intensely tense and stressful situations.
Jealousy:
Jealousy towards a younger sibling is the most common example of jealousy in children’s lives. In this type of jealousy, the child usually behaves aggressively. Hitting and biting their sibling are common behaviors. Symptoms of infantilization and regression such as crawling, baby talk, returning to bottle feeding, bedwetting, nail biting, finger sucking, etc. that can be seen in the child due to sibling jealousy greatly affect the child’s mental health. For this reason, the most appropriate solution is for mothers and fathers to prepare their children in this regard before the sibling is born and to have the older sibling take care of the baby’s needs such as feeding, cleaning, and clothing in a controlled manner after birth. However, telling the child that they will have a baby girl or a baby boy and that they can play with them will not eliminate jealousy, but may fuel it. A young child is not mature and experienced enough to perceive the changes this event will bring to their life.
Fears of the Dark and Night:
The most common fears in children are fears of darkness and night. It is considered normal for these fears to emerge as a characteristic of the development process in the 3-4 age period. However, in cases where these fears disrupt children’s sleep patterns, increase their dependency on parents, and prevent them from sleeping alone, these fears should now be considered to have gone beyond the normal course of development. Night fears are the fears most reinforced by parents and the environment. If parents also have fears such as darkness, not being able to sleep alone at night, and not being able to sleep without light, these fears are reinforced even more. A child who sees that his/her parents have intense concerns about night fears will exhibit an even more anxious approach in this situation. The child who sees that his/her parents have fears will think: “There must be something to be afraid of.” and in this case, the child’s level of fear may increase even more. If parents do not reinforce this fear and show appropriate approaches and comfort their children, it is expected that this fear will disappear.
Tantrums:
Almost all preschool children experience temper tantrums from time to time. Temper tantrums, which are dominated by behaviors such as crying, sulking, screaming, and banging their feet or head, usually occur when children are angry or tense. Temper tantrums can also include holding their breath or more aggressive behaviors such as hitting, biting, or kicking. Temper tantrums typically begin around age 1 and often end by age 4. Temper tantrums are considered a normal part of development. Children at this age are trying to gain a sense of identity and independence. However, because of their limited vocabulary, they cannot express their feelings in words. When a child cannot do something they want, cannot get something they want, or becomes so angry that they lose control, the child’s tension can turn into a temper tantrum. Temper tantrums occur most often when the child is tired or hungry, or in environments where they do not feel comfortable. In situations such as hunger and fatigue, the child has difficulty expressing and controlling their feelings.
Night Urinations:
Known among the public as nocturnal urination, medically known as Enuresis Nocturna, is a common problem. Nocturnal urination is the recurring incontinence of urine at night in children over the age of 5 without a medical reason. Healthy children may also experience nocturnal urination if they drink excessive fluids before going to bed. In order to speak of nocturnal urination, the frequency of incontinence must be more than twice a week for 3 consecutive months or the incontinence must be distressing or have disruptive effects on functionality (e.g. at school).
Urinary incontinence can only occur during the day (Enuresis Diurna). There is also a type that occurs both during the day and at night. Nocturnal urination is among the most common reasons for consulting psychologists in our country. The frequency of nocturnal urination, which can also resolve on its own, decreases with age and continues at a rate of 1% in adulthood. More than one factor is considered in its causes. The most important of these factors is familial predisposition.
There are also situations where psychosocial factors are very important. It is observed that urinary incontinence, especially in children with secondary nocturnal enuresis, can begin after difficult life events (such as the birth of a sibling, starting school, moving, hospitalization, parents getting divorced, or the mother or father moving away for some reason).
Although nocturnal enuresis is a condition that resolves on its own, treatment is recommended because incontinence can be distressing to the child and family, can reduce the child’s self-confidence, and can cause other behavioral and emotional problems. Before starting treatment, the child should be physically examined by a pediatrician, and other possible causes of incontinence (such as urinary tract infection, urological problems, diabetes, epilepsy) should be reviewed.
