According to a study, up to 50% of children with ADHD, struggle to control their emotions and exhibit tantrums. Kids with Attention hyperactivity deficit disorder (ADHD) occasionally throw tantrums or have meltdowns. At certain developmental phases, young children’s tantrums may be considered normal behaviour. They may jump off and climb on items. In risky or unsuitable conditions, run or sprint around. These breakdowns can be severe and frequently entail sobbing, shouting, and angry outbursts.

Parents who are dealing with a tantrum in their child may feel helpless and overwhelmed. Do not worry… Read on to know ways to manage the tantrums and foods that help. 

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WHAT ARE TANTRUMS/MELTDOWNS?

Tantrums, often known as meltdowns, are uncontrollable outbursts of rage. Children with Attention hyperactivity deficit disorder frequently display aggressive attitudes and irrational outbursts, according to a reliable source. These breakdowns can be severe and frequently entail sobbing, shouting, and angry outbursts.

Also check, 8 Ways to manage hyperactivity in kids

ADHD and tantrums

Tantrums are, to some extent, a developmentally typical behaviour in very young children. They are therefore not a credible indicator of ADHD. While most children have angry outbursts at some point, children with Attention hyperactivity deficit disorder frequently experience irritability. Anger and frustration may result from their inability to focus in class, regulate their emotions, or restrain their impulses. Tantrums may result from this. 

Also check, Proven foods for ADHD in kids

REASONS FOR TANTRUMS DURING ADHD

Impulsiveness:

If a teacher or other students do not understand the behaviour, children with Attention hyperactivity deficit disorder may have trouble at school since they have trouble managing their impulses. The child might feel bad, embarrassed, or that life is unfair as a result.

Also check, 5 Foods to manage ADHD

Unable to concentrate:

A kid may feel anxious or overwhelmed if they have trouble focusing, remembering details, or meeting deadlines.

Also check, How to improve a child’s memory?

Hyperactivity:

Children with ADHD may find it challenging to remain quiet, still, or tolerating boredom due to this ADHD symptom. They could become impatient or frustrated if they don’t have a way to release their energy.

Also check, ADHD in kids: Symptoms and remedies

Side effects of medicines: 

Stimulants are frequently used to treat ADHD. However, they can also induce headaches, stomachaches, or trouble sleeping in some kids. These added difficulties could make it more difficult for kids with Attention hyperactivity deficit disorder to control their emotions.

Also check, 5 Foods to help your child sleeping well

HOW TO MANAGE TANTRUMS?

1. Find out what is the trigger:

Knowing what sets off your child’s tantrums can make it easier for you to diffuse the situation immediately. Is your kid hungry? Are they worn out? Try to address the issue once you’ve identified it. This is a useful technique for averting meltdowns as well.

Also check, Learning disability in kids

2. Converse with the child:

Talk to your child in a quiet, calm voice while paying attention to their emotions. Let the kid know that you are aware of what they are facing. Your child will feel heard if you do this.

Also check, Early signs of autism

3. Explain consequences:

Talk to your youngster about the negative outcomes before a meltdown starts. Known source of inappropriate behaviour. When describing what to expect to your youngster, be specific. Give your kid a warning first before carrying out the discipline.

4. Distract them: 

Distraction may be effective for younger children. Your child’s attention will be diverted to something else if you stop the action. Give your youngster some crayons or a little activity to keep them occupied if they’re acting up in a restaurant. When preparing for events that can result in a meltdown, distractions are a useful strategy.

Also check, How to reduce screen time in children?

5. Ignore:

If you pay attention to the meltdown, even in a bad way like yelling or screaming, you risk encouraging the child’s bad behaviour. Keeping your youngster alone could shorten the duration of the tantrum. Keep in mind that kids crave attention, and that they often use tantrums to get it. Ignoring the tantrum can stop your child’s behaviour and reduce the likelihood that they’ll act out in the future.

Also check, A healthy diet plan for autism

6. Reminders:

Transitions are difficult for kids with ADHD. A tantrum could result if they have to suddenly leave the playground or stop playing with their toy to go to dinner. Reminders are crucial during this time. Reminding your youngster that dinner is almost ready at 30, 15, 10, and 5-minute intervals can reduce meltdowns.

7. Rewards:

Good reinforcement or rewards have a positive impact on ADHD children. Positive consequences are used in behavioural therapy to promote good conduct. Social (affection and admiration) and material rewards are both possible (toys, candy, or other material things). Social rewards can be combined with material rewards.

Also check, Autism and sensory sensitivity

FOODS THAT HELP IN MANAGING TANTRUMS

1. NUTS:

All nuts, including almonds, cashews, peanuts, and hazelnuts, are high in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E. According to research, Omega 3 fatty acids have been found to be associated with early childhood brain development. These good fats have incredible brain-boosting abilities and are essential for improving memory and attention span.

Also check, Cookies recipe with almond, oats and dates

2. SEEDS:

Seeds like Melon, Pumpkin and Sunflower contain potent antioxidants like vitamin E1 that protect the brain from oxidative damage. Sunflower seeds are regarded as a brain-boosting snack because of their impact on the general mood and mental processing abilities. Compared to other seeds, pumpkin seeds have substantially higher levels of zinc, magnesium, and copper, all of which aid in improving focus and memory.

Also, check 5 Seeds that are high in Protein

3. JOWAR FLOUR:

Jowar, which is rich in iron, can also lessen Attention hyperactivity deficit disorder symptoms like anxiety, hyperactivity, and tantrums. Iron has the ability to relax the nervous system, which helps the child with ADHD syndrome to become more at ease.

Also check, 10 proven health benefits of chamomile

4. HERBS:

GOTUKOLA:

Gotu kola has strong anti-oxidant qualities and enhances cognition, memory, and mental performance. It gently relaxes the nervous system while also encouraging alertness—the best possible state of consciousness for any form of mental focus, study, or cognition.

These findings were supported by a review from 2016, in part because of a research on 33 persons who had generalised anxiety disorder. For 60 days, the participants were instructed to substitute gotu kola for their antidepressant prescription. They acknowledged experiencing less stress, anxiety, and depression.

Also, check 5 Ayurvedic herbs that are safe for kids

SPEARMINT:

Spearmint extract has higher quantities of phenolic compounds that enhance working memory, spatial working memory and increase attention, concentration, and brain function by promoting the formation and protection of new brain cells.

The phenolic compounds in spearmint have been proven to improve performance on tests of working memory, focus, attention, and concentration in human trials, as well as help volunteers fall asleep more quickly at night.

Also check, Importance of rest and night sleep in child

ST. JOHN’S WORT:

St John’s wort contains chemical messengers like Hyperforin and Adhyperforin, which are recognised for their antidepressant qualities. The extracts of this herb enhance mood, focus, and reduce anxiety and insomnia. According to several studies, adolescents with ADHD may benefit from taking St. John’s wort every day for four weeks. It is also used to treat problems including anxiety, exhaustion, appetite loss, and difficulty sleeping that might occasionally accompany depression.

According to a 2017 meta-analysis of 27 clinical trials that was published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, St. John’s wort was just as effective as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) in the treatment of mild-to-moderate depression.

PASSION FLOWER:

The chemicals in the passion flower provide a calming and relaxing effect. Early research indicates that taking passion flowers orally for eight weeks may help some ADHD symptoms in kids aged 6 to 13 years. Also, it helps to reduce anxiety and depression which were proven in a study.

Also, check What is Sensory Processing Disorder?

VALERIAN:

The herb valerian is well known for its relaxation properties. Additionally, it contains some anticonvulsant qualities that might be advantageous for kids who are prone to seizure activity. Children with ADHD, cognitive impairment, hyperactivity, irritability, anxiety, behavioural regulation, and neurodevelopmental abnormalities can benefit from valerian for improved attention and sleep.

According to a study, valerian helps to improve sleep and prevent insomnia.

Also check, Impact of sleep disorder on brain development of child

LAVENDER:

The most well-known essential oil for soothing is lavender. Lavender essential oil can be helpful for reducing anxiety and making you feel more at ease, which may help with ADHD symptoms. It has been demonstrated that the aroma can calm and soothe the nervous system. Its relaxing qualities can benefit autistic children by enhancing their sleep quality and assisting their bodies in combating emotional stress.

Additionally, lavender reduced related symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, and somatic complaints and enhanced overall wellbeing and quality of life, according to a study.

TURMERIC:

Curcumin, an active ingredient in turmeric is known to improve spatial memory, long-time retrieval and visual memory as per a study. It helps in managing anxiety, depression etc which is commonly seen in people with ADHD disorder.

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GINKGO BILOBA:

Ginkgo biloba is a promising herbal supplement that may alter the neural system in a disorder similar to ADHD. It can enhance memory and cognitive performance. According to a study, Children who took a ginkgo extract daily for three to five weeks showed a decrease in the symptoms of ADHD.

Also check, 15 Foods to boost brain power

5. SUNFLOWER LECITHIN:

Sunflower lecithin is an excellent source of choline, a vital nutrient required for a variety of health functions. Since choline is a precursor to acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in memory and learning, choline is particularly significant for maintaining good brain function.

6. ROSEMARY EXTRACT:

As per research, it was found that exposure to the aroma of rosemary oil improved people’s performance on thinking tasks in terms of speed and accuracy.

Also check, Herbs that help to calm down Hyperactivity

FOODS TO AVOID

Refined sugar: 

Excessive sugar impairs cognitive skills as well as self control. Moreover, sugar damages the protein in our body, resulting in ageing of organs, which further compromises immunity, growth and functioning. Greatest source of sugar in the average kid’s diet are sugary snacks and beverages like cookies, cakes, candies, fruit juice, soda, and sports drinks. Everything that the child picks up to eat today has strains of added sugar in some form or the other.

Also check, 7 Foods to boost immunity in kids

Preservatives:

Most of the packaged food companies are adding artificial preservatives to delay spoilage and contamination in foods.  Artificial preservatives such as nitrates, benzoates, sulfites, sorbates, parabens, formaldehyde, BHT, BHA and several others can cause serious health hazards such as hypersensitivity, allergy, asthma, hyperactivity, neurological damage.

Refined oil: 

The high temperature involved in the refining process removes all the natural and beneficial substances from the oil, which is not good for the digestive as well as respiratory health and ultimately affects your immunity.

Also check, How to fix weak digestion?

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