| aidemia--modules-patient_handout_request | Create a psychoeducation handout, covering key points and providing resources for further reading or support. Take the following details into account. |
| Topic or issue to cover | Why do young people go back to adapted strategies when feeling overwhelmed |
| Age | Child |
| Add quiz | |
| Show correct answers | |
| Patient assignment | Nothing specific |
| Any other preferences | Include seeking g power and control and making up stories |
Feeling overwhelmed is a common experience, especially for children. When faced with stress, anxiety, or difficult emotions, many young individuals may revert to previously adapted strategies. This handout provides an overview of why this happens, specifically exploring behaviors related to seeking power and control, as well as the tendency to make up stories.
Adapted strategies are coping mechanisms that children develop in response to overwhelming situations. These can include behaviors such as:
Seeking Control: In stressful situations, children may feel helpless. To combat this feeling, they might resort to behaviors that allow them to regain a sense of power—whether it’s controlling their environment, their interactions with others, or even their own self-talk.
Making Up Stories: Children often use imagination as a way to make sense of their experiences. When overwhelmed, they may create stories or narratives that help them process their emotions or escape from reality. This can manifest as daydreaming, fantasy play, or storytelling.
Several factors contribute to children returning to these adapted strategies:
Stress and Anxiety: Intense feelings of fear, confusion, or sadness can trigger a child’s primitive coping mechanisms—those that feel safe and familiar.
Lack of Resources: When children feel unsupported or lack effective coping tools, they may fall back on previous methods that provided comfort or control.
Developmental Stages: As children grow and develop, they encounter different challenges. They may go back to simpler strategies that were effective in earlier stages of their development when faced with new obstacles.
Encourage children to share their stories, whether through writing, drawing, or verbal communication. This not only validates their feelings but also provides a safe space for them to express themselves.
Consider introducing storytelling games that promote teamwork and narrative building, allowing children to engage with peers in a controlled environment.
"The Whole-Brain Child" by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson
Offers strategies for understanding children's developmental needs and emotions.
"How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk" by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
Provides techniques for effective communication with children.
Child Mind Institute
www.childmind.org
Offers articles and resources on child behavior and mental health.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
www.nami.org
Provides educational information about mental health and available support.
It's essential to understand that reverting to adapted strategies is a natural response for children when they feel overwhelmed. By fostering an environment where children feel safe to express their need for control and creativity, we can help them develop healthy coping mechanisms. Use the resources provided in this handout for further reading or to seek support.
Every child is unique, and understanding their individual responses to stress can go a long way in supporting their emotional well-being!