Can Yelling At A Child Cause Anxiety?
Parenting is a tough gig.
There is so much to deal with while trying to raise a well-rounded, supported, and happy child. One moment you think you have it figured out, the next moment your child is dumping their bowl of pasta on their sleeping sibling’s head.
It is understandable that sometimes, yelling is the response you may give to your child’s behaviour when you feel frustrated, exhausted, or upset, or believe they may respond if they hear how firm you can be.
However, yelling can have an impact on children that can be bigger than getting them to do what you want them to do in the moment. Research shows us now that yelling can have long term implications on children’s mental health and brain development.
If you find yourself raising your voice at your child, you may be concerned about the effects it could be having and asking questions such as, ‘can yelling at my child cause anxiety?’. At The Nest, we can support you to find different ways to interact with and discipline your child.
What Can Happen When A Child Is Yelled At?
There are some similarities between being yelled at as an adult and being yelled at as a child. We all can feel emotions and have physical reactions such as anxiety, stress, sadness, shame, anger, raised heart rate, and crying. But for children, there can be a separate array of implications because they are still growing - physically, emotionally, and mentally. Being yelled at frequently can not only have short-term effects, but long-term ones too.
Brain development
Because children’s brains are still developing, it can literally change when subjected to ongoing yelling and other forceful parenting methods. This can impact various factors such as:
Processing of information, emotions, language, memory, and sounds.
The way they perceive and feel about themselves.
Physical and mental reaction to other situations that do not involve the person or people who yell at them.
Mental health
The development of mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression.
Drug and alcohol use.
Self-destructive and high-risk behaviour.
Behaviour
The way they behave beyond the initial situation that has motivated the yelling response, such as discipline.
Involvement and engagement in activities such as schooling and social interactions.
The relationship between them and the people yelling, such as parental figures.
Physical health issues
The development of chronic medical conditions, such as reoccurring headaches and migraines, cardiac issues, asthma, frequent viral infections, raised blood pressure, high cortisol levels, long-term pain disorders.
How Can I Guide My Child Without Yelling?
Interacting with your child without yelling can be difficult in certain situations, especially when it comes to discipline. Our therapists at The Nest can help you learn techniques and strategies that will build a better relationship between you and your child, gain a more positive reaction in the moment and in the future, and reduce the risk of long-term issues. We can work with you and your child to help improve the situation.
Some of these techniques may include:
Employ positive reinforcement. Focus on praise and encouragement rather than criticism and reprimands.
Talk to your child with respect and explain the situation with open and clear communication.
Be open to how your child feels and views the situation. Create a two-way street so that you can both understand each other better and come to a solution together.
Be consistent. Children can understand what is expected of them in various circumstances if they know what they should or should not do is the same in each.
Be clear regarding what the repercussions or effects are or will be for negative behaviour.
Remain calm. Take steps such as pausing, deep breathing, and taking a break.
We Can Help You Support Your Child Without Yelling
Yelling at a child does not automatically make you a bad parent. We understand how hard it can be to know the best way to respond and to carry that out in the moment. The fact that you are willing to find better methods to react and discipline shows that you care about your child immensely.
Our dedicated therapists are experienced and qualified to provide relevant advice. No matter how long you have been a parent, it is still possible to adapt, adjust, and learn. We can support you to cope with how you are feeling and to incorporate a different approach. We can also work with your child to help them learn better ways to behave and respond to you.
If you are looking for help to reduce your yelling, please contact our friendly team to organise an initial consultation.
