Behavioral Dysregulation in Children
Compass Health Center’s treatment teams provide patient-centered, comprehensive mental health care and support for Emotional Dysregulation in young children ages 5-10. The priority of individualized programming is to help young participants build the skills necessary to improve emotion identification, distress tolerance, emotional management, relaxation, and communication.
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What Is Emotional and Behavioral Dysregulation in Children?
Emotional and behavioral dysregulation in children refers to difficulty managing emotional responses in ways that are age-appropriate and proportional to a situation. Children with emotional regulation challenges may struggle to identify what they’re feeling, calm themselves when upset, or shift gears once distressed.
Emotional dysregulation in kids can look different from child to child. Some children become easily overwhelmed, tearful, or withdrawn. Others may show frequent irritability, intense temper tantrums, sudden outbursts, or difficulty recovering after conflict. In some cases, behavioral dysregulation may include impulsivity, aggression, excessive reassurance-seeking, binge eating, or non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI).
It is important to clarify that emotional dysregulation is not a standalone diagnosis. Rather, it is a descriptive term used to explain patterns of emotional and behavioral responses. Emotional and behavioral dysregulation may occur on its own or alongside other mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, ADHD, trauma-related disorders, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
When emotional regulation problems in children are persistent, intense, or begin interfering with home, school, or peer relationships, they may signal a need for additional support. Children experiencing dysregulation often want to do well but lack the internal tools to manage strong emotional states effectively.
There are many reasons a child may experience emotional and behavioral dysregulation. Contributing factors can include temperament, neurodevelopmental differences, environmental stress, trauma exposure, or gaps in skill development related to emotion identification and coping. With structured support and evidence-based intervention, children can build emotional regulation skills and improve functioning across settings.
Common Symptoms of Dysregulation
About five percent of children and adolescents in the United States struggle with Emotional Dysregulation. It can present as a symptom of developmental delays (e.g., Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder), as well as Mood & Anxiety Disorders. Emotional Dysregulation can be the cause of subsequent Behavioral Dysregulation. Similarly, Behavioral Dysregulation can lead to emotional difficulties, and can be the cause of a child’s severe temper outbursts and irritability.
Symptoms of Emotional Dysregulation in children may include:
- Severe tantrums
- Low tolerance for frustration
- Outbursts
- Aggression
- Refusal to engage in expected behaviors / activities
- Frequent crying
- Frequent negative moods
- Thoughts of self-harm
Effects of Behavioral Dysregulation on Your Child’s Life
Emotional Dysregulation can lead to a variety of problems for children and their families. Children who struggle with Behavioral Dysregulation also tend to experience an increased risk of poor decision-making and developing mental health concerns as they grow older due to their inability to handle stressful and frustrating situations. Effects of Dysregulation in children may include:
- Lack of interest in making new friends
- Loss of peer relationships due to outbursts
- Feelings of sadness due to uncontrolled emotional responses
- Unsatisfactory academic performance
- School refusal or avoidance
- Possibility of causing stress to other children in social settings
When to Seek Treatment for Dysregulation
It is normal for children to have tantrums at an early age; however excessive emotional outbursts in school-age children may be cause for concern. As parents, there are certain things that you can do to help, such as:
- Recognize the triggers
It can be helpful to develop ways of helping your child prepare for stressful situations that set off outbursts. For example, if your child always has a tantrum when you take them out when they are tired, make a habit of scheduling outings when they are well–rested.
- Be a positive role model
Children who struggle to self-regulate need your help regulating their emotions. Stay calm and model desired behaviors and responses (take deep breaths, use a calm voice). It can be counterproductive to teach your child how to manage their emotions by punishing them or demanding that they behave in a certain way.
- Reward positive behavior
Point out and praise positive changes in your child’s behavior when it comes to emotion management.
If these suggestions do not help, then it may be time to seek treatment for Dysregulation, and consulting a behavioral health professional may be your next step.
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Compass saved my life! I came into Compass with suicidal ideations and no hope. After a couple of weeks of being in the program, I did not have those thoughts anymore. Compass helped me change my mindset, from a negative pattern of thoughts to a more positive and optimistic frame of mind.
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My child is leaving Compass more equipped to handle her emotions, her anxiety, her depression, and the things that all trigger these. She is willing to use the skills, which is a huge change, and this is all due to how well Compass worked for her.
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I liked how in Compass, everyone was respectful of my opinions, pronouns, and preferred name. There was no judging, and you can open up to people. I also like how I can relate to other kids. I also really appreciate learning new skills.
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Compass is a godsend. An amazing program for children who are struggling and families who are seeking help and guidance. I could not imagine that she would be so much better in less than 2 months. I wish we could have found Compass without going to the ER. Thanks for all you do!
The evening IOP program challenged me in a supportive and respectful way to help change my way of thinking. Compass provided me with the tools to help deal with life situations in a healthy way.
