Behavioural Issues

COMMON BEHAVIOURAL ISSUES

Sometimes, children are extremely difficult to control and frustrate the efforts of even the most understanding adults.

When children are being disruptive, it can be hard to know whether it is simply their age, or if they have a more serious behavioural problem. Sometimes temporary stressors are the cause, like a change in their environment, but there is often a root cause that needs to be addressed.

Challenging behaviour doesn’t necessarily need to become an accepted state, luckily there are many treatment options that include behavioural therapy, positive attention, alternative therapies and even a review of their diet.

Does diet affect children’s behaviour?

The answer is YES, and it’s a big one. Diet affects the brain in ways that can influence our mood, energy levels, sleep patterns and even how we behave.

A healthy diet has been shown to improve attention span and concentration, and reduce anxiety and stress. Source [abc.net.au].

Behavioural issues caused by food

Behavioural issues due to food or environmental substance reactions are difficult to categorise, as they vary widely from person to person. However, they are widely recognised as behaviour that is outside the usual pattern of behaviour or does not respond to other behaviour intervention techniques.

Common behavioural issues in kids include:

• Tantrums without a clear reason
• Hypersensitivity (to light, noise or temperature)
• Irritability or defiance out of character
• Being easily distracted and inattention
• Sleep issues
• Hyperactivity
• bad behavior (defiant behavior)
• aggressive behavior (disruptive behavior)
• panic attacks

Prescribing medication to treat behavourial issues

While medications are sometimes the only solution, we feel they should never be the first choice considered. Often, taking the time to explore alternative natural therapies can offer similar results without the side-effects that come with many synthetic medications.

Some mental health conditions may require a professional that deals with that specific disorder and we always encourage parents to do their research. Parents of children with psychiatric disorders such as autism, autistic children, or who exhibit symptoms of bipolar disorder may need the additonal support of mental health professionals.

Behavioural therapy (CBT)

CBT and cognitive therapy for kids is a great alternative from medication and can help childen understand the negativity of their thought patterns and learn how to replace them with more positive ones.

Learning new ways of looking at things helps a child learn how to respond differently and improve rather than worsen stressful situations. This type of therapy can give your child realistic strategies to improve their lives in the here and now.

Once these strategies become habit, the new skills can follow them throughout their lives. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) can help children learn to control their impulsive thoughts and behaviors. They’ll replace negative self-images with improved self-images, develop new coping mechanisms for dealing with defiance and tantrums, and learn how to solve problems more effectively.

The type of disorders in children that CBT can help alleviate include;

• Anxiety disorders
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Autism spectrum disorders
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
• Behavioural disorders
• Cognitive behaviour therapy
• Emotional disorders

These psychological treatments are a great compliment to medication or natural therapy treatments that help children, and parents, understand a child’s own behavioural issues.

HOW CAN FOOD CAUS BEHAVIOURAL ISSUES?

There are several factors that are thought to contribute to behavioural issues and difficult behaviour:

• Dietary triggers– a diet high in refines carbohydrates and sugars can promote blood sugar fluctuations, triggering issues. There are also various foods that can trigger symptoms.
• Imbalanced gut bacteria – studies show that unhealthy bacteria in our gut can influence our behaviour, thought patterns and moods
• Omega-3 deficiency– research has shown that kids who are low in omega-3 fats are more likely to display issues, including hyperactivity and difficulty concentrating
• Nutritionaldeficiencies– poor nutritional levels of several functional nutrients (including DHA, riboflavin, B6, magnesium and zinc) can also contribute to issues

BEHAVIOURAL ISSUES AND FOOD ALLERGIES

There are many foods that can trigger issues. These can sometimes be ‘junk foods’, however often they may be many foods that are considered healthy – including fruits and vegetables!

The main culprites include;

• Sugars
• Gluten
• Dairy
• Ggg
• Soy
• Corn

Common chemicals found (naturally or added) in foods can also be triggers:

• Salicylates– high in colourful fruits and vegetables
• Amines– high in aged foods, such as cheese, wine, chocolate and cured meats
• Glutamates – high in processed foods and sauces (e.g. MSG)
• Food additives– including preservatives, sweeteners, flavour enhancers and colourings

Traditional treatment to food related issues

A traditional treatment to discover problem foods may include elimination diets.

There can be times where a medically-supervised elimination diet might be advantageous.

However a long-term elimination diet should not be recommended for everyone. It should be used only under the guidance and supervision of a medical professional, especially if you have a known or suspected food allergy.

Furthermore, elimination diets often cause some of the very symptoms and experiences they’re designed to help alleviate. It’s possible that you may feel tired or fatigued because you aren’t consuming enough calories. A perceived reaction to a certain food could actually be your body experiencing a symptom of hunger, stress-response and/or inflammation from under-nourishment.

And a balanced diet isn’t something you ever want deprived from your body.

NATURAL SUPPORT FOR BEHAVIOURAL ISSUES

At Health & Wellness Australia & Auckland, we use a technique called muscle testing (or kinesiology) to help identify which substances you, or your children may be reacting to.

Following testing, you can work with your practitioner to address your reactions using a natural allergy treatment calledPositive Association Technique (PAT).

PAT is a non-invasive, holistic therapy, which:

• Draws on acupressure and kinesiology techniques
• Aims to re-train your body
• May reduce your reactions to food and environmental substances triggering symptoms

PAT’s non-invasive nature works well with children;

• No needles
• No on-going herbal remedies
• No supplements
• No avoidance (in fact, they will be holding a vial of the substance in their hand).

PAT complements well with small lifestyle changes, so children can take PAT as a stand-alone treatment or as a way to give themselves an extra boost in working with a complex condition.

Some cases can be complex, so our Naturopaths may also recommend supplements, herbs and lifestyle advice to help you achieve the best long-term results.

• Send our PAT Practitioners a QuestionHERE
• Request a FREE PAT Information E-PACKHERE
• Book onlineHERE