Nieces Naughty Behaviors - Mental Health Message Board

melissalyn76 · 08-15-2007, 12:54 AM

My niece has shown aggressive behavior since approx. 14 months old. She is currently 4 1/2. She hits, pinches, pushes, digs her nails into you and recently has forcibly held my daughter under water in an inflatable pool.

She poops in her pants anytime she feels like it, because there are many times that she makes it to the bathroom without a problem. This has been happening for about a year and a half now. Constipation is not an issue, nor is diarreha. It seems to be a way to show that she is in control.

Next you can throw in temper tantrums, a dislike of bathing, she is intentionally defiant, ignores you when you speak to her and can pout for hours at a time. When her mommy is around things are much worse then when she is with me and her mom is not there, but please do not think that she stops the behaviors when it is just me.

I am at a loss and do not know what to do. I cant find any particular type of disorder for her behaviors because she fits into so many. It is getting to the point that I do not want her around my daughter to frequently. We are family and I want to help if I can. Any suggestions of what this may be? We are not talking about normal childhood behavior issues, in a group of other children she stands out like a sore thumb with her behavior. Any help, please?!

Sannah · 08-15-2007, 06:56 AM

Melissa, this child needs to be evaluated! This is her life and this is her childhood and time for development. She needs intervention so that she can develop normally.

melissalyn76 · 08-15-2007, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sannah

Melissa, this child needs to be evaluated! This is her life and this is her childhood and time for development. She needs intervention so that she can develop normally.

This might sound a little strange for a 4 1/2 yr old but she knows how to "act". She literally made herself cry crocodile tears the other day because my cat is "her little old buddy and she loves him" one minute later she was running and playing like nothing happened. That said, I am not sure if my in-law would be entirely truthful with a dr. for fear of "looking bad." She is a single mother and wants the world to think that she is doing a great job, as best she can with the hand she is dealt. So with the acting on top of not giving full disclosure I dont know how much good it would do.

Sannah · 08-15-2007, 09:58 AM

Why does a child need to act? Sounds like she has serious issues to me.

cinemachick · 08-15-2007, 09:31 PM

I agree, she needs an evaluation or she needs to see a child psychologist. Her mother should have nothing to hide from a psych. I'm sure parents make mistakes sometimes, but as long as she is not abusing her, there should be no problem.