The insecure child: causes, signs, symptoms and tips

We are immersed in our environment. Since we were little, we interacted with him producing a continuous reciprocal transaction, in such a way that the slightest imbalance can lead to anguish as a response to it, as a rebalancing mechanism, or occur some degree of somatization in the form of indisposition, Difficulty getting to sleep and other psychophysiological effects.

The insecure child

Especially defenseless to these imbalances with the environment are the children under six years.

His entire universe is in the domestic circle, which absorbs multiple external influences, for this reason the minor is continually exposed to the pressure and peculiarities of the social environment in general and of the family nucleus in particular. Under certain conditions, insecure child syndrome can occur.

Causes of insecurity in childhood

Serious imbalances in their environment, such as the death of parents, generate anxiety, sadness and can worsen in severe depressions and painful experiences of unsafety.

Other seemingly minor changes like a home move, a lost pet, etc., can cause the same symptoms. At this early age, routine offers security, therefore, situations that break this balance are experienced as a danger creating dissociation and anxiety pictures.

Some strategies to educate your child healthily: "10 strategies to improve your child's self-esteem"

What is the transitional object?

The transitional object usually a doll, a blanket, a cushion, a pacifier, etc., which recalls and symbolizes the child's family environment. When, due to circumstances, the child must face a home transfer, the transitional object exercises the function of an insurance tool, strengthened by the magical thinking typical of the little ones, preventing the alteration of their vital environment from being excessive and that the feelings of insecurity and fear can result unbearable.

What does the object of possession reveal to us about the child?

It is an element of approval and acceptance of the new environment. It means a positivity and good receptivity towards the new context. The child and the transitional object rotate on the basis of insecurity. The device of the transitional object resides in the space-time alteration, in such a way that the atmosphere domestic is migrated to another location, however, the object of possession is a rewarding object "per se" and what its own essence is especially positive for the child. It is a companion of affirmation to face new horizons.

Most common signs and symptoms in the insecure child

The experience of insecurity causes a regression to earlier stages of development. Some of the signs that we can observe in an insecure child are:

• Disturbances in hygiene behavior in general and maternal dependency to do it. The insecure child tends to delegate her hygiene to the mother.

• Modifications in affective behavior: emotional instability, disobedience, behavioral and physical aggressiveness with the other children, breaking elements for the game. Sometimes, the insecure child presents an opposite symptomatology: timid, insecure, taciturn, passive.

• Changes in motor behavior: recession in the evolution of displacement, cessation of the bipedal position, claudication of walking, crawling, request to be carried in the arms, setback in the ability to draw. Distortions in gait when moving, illogical gestures are also observed in the insecure child.

• Behavioral modifications when playing: they practice younger roles, too much recidivism in the same game or fear.

• Affective behavior disturbances: demanding to be there for him, crying, continually questioning questions he already knows, irrational fears.

• Behavioral changes in eating: long chews, primary swallowing, clicking sounds when chewing, flatulence, decreased basic skills such as spoon and fork use, bad manners, selective repudiation, vomiting and reluctance.

• Presence of coercive behaviors in masturbation.

• Behavioral sleep modifications: restlessness, sleep talk (sleepiness), night terrors, frequent interruptions of sleep with tears to parents and request to leave a light on, request to leave the door open and demand that the parents stay with him until he falls asleep, opposition to going to bed, requesting a story with physical contact and resisting reconciliation dream.

• Decrease in school productivity: concentration problems in studies.

• Difficulties in body and oral expression: eccentric grimaces and gestures, burlesque or tragic stuttering language.

Bibliographic references:

• Branden, N. The six pillars of self esteem. Today's Topics, 2001.
  
• Garber, S., Garber, M. and Spizman, R. Behave. Practical solutions for common childhood problems. Medici, 1993.
• Vasta, R., Marshall, M. and Scott, M. Child psychology. Ariel, 1996.