You can find one of them through the local or state mental health association, hospital, or national organizations such as the American Academy of Child Psychiatry or the American Psychological Association. The boy with dangerous impulsive behavior and confusion about friends vs. enemies should get help, along with guidance for his family, before his reputation limits his life. The youngster who is cruel to animals needs the guidance of an expert. And the child who has overwhelming fears keeping him from enjoying school, friends, and family can also be helped. In all of these instances, the extreme behavior is longstanding, another sign that outside intervention is needed.
Any child can have a bad day, even a bad week, that passes without our ever understanding why.
But trends and patterns of extreme unhappiness deserve the help that is available in most communities. Adele M. Brodkin, Ph.D., a psychologist, has been a consultant to early childhood programs for more than 20 years. Read our Privacy Policy Statement .