I was shocked at what I found when I decided to delve into childhood behavioral problems.
My initial internet search dumped me right onto the psychiatric and medical sites, every one of which is quick to blame bad behavior on genetics, chemical imbalances and all manner of “complex environmental factors.”
The common message that gets pumped out is that your kid’s emotions are actually way beyond your understanding and only a trained specialist is qualified to diagnose and treat the problem.
Another fascinating angle to this whole thing is that up until recently, your child’s socially unacceptable activity, though unpleasant, was still considered rather normal and was one of those things that families handle together and somehow get through.
Imagine my surprise when I realized that bad manners, name calling and aggressiveness have mysteriously turned into full blown “disorders” that now require “treatment” by a “professional.”
In other words, regular life problems have become medicalized and specialized so the solutions can be removed from the traditional realm of parents and family.
Why?
If we can be convinced that uncomfortable emotions are a medical problem, we will buy (literally) the medical solution in the form of drugs and expensive therapies. Therapies for invented disorders, I might add.
Interestingly enough, not a single MD or Psych website that I looked up mentioned the most common underlying cause of extreme upset and difficulties regarding childhood behavior – even though it has been clinically proven time and time again. Are you ready?
The most common cause for irrational and “uncorrectable” behavior in children is related to malnutrition, toxic food additives including excessive sugar, lack of sufficient sleep and an insecure or dangerous environment.
Sound familiar? Of course! That’s because you already knew it. That’s because it is common sense.
I cannot even count up the number of children who have been miraculously “cured” by having enough sleep, a healthy diet and more family time. And the good news is that you can start this right now, in your own home. For free.
Here’s the bad news. I haven’t yet found a pill that corrects big Pharma greed and the regular humanoid tendency to jump for the easy way out.
If I do, I’ll let you know.
Lyn Demaree