Mood Swings
MOOD SWINGS
When discussing mood swings, the first thing that comes to mind with mood swings is food allergies. Descriptions of a child who is fine one day and not the next is not normal. It is important to look for the underlying cause. Today practitioners are finding more and more children have food allergies or food intolerances. Some children will eventually grow out of food allergies. Meantime some actions to take:-
FOOD
Immediately remove all foods that are high in sugar such as coco pops, cordials, sweet biscuits, ice cream, sweets and highly processed foods. Replace with rolled oats, unsweetened muesli and cornflakes. Avoid cordials & juice and give milk or water. Remove foods with colorings particularly red and yellow. Notice if there are any changes in moods. Arrange for allergy testing through blood test, scratch tests or kinesiology. (Kinesiology is the least invasive way to test young children). Seek advice from your preferred health practitioner.
Some children are allergic to “healthy foods”, such as wheat, dairy, and even apples! So best to get it checked out by your preferred health Practitioner. (GP, homeopath, kinesiologist, or naturopath).
Preservatives can set some kids off: 223, 224, 228 (and many others).
Purchase a book from your local newsagency or book store “The Code Breaker”. MSG is hidden in many foods and can cause mood swings/irritability –It can be listed as 621, ‘flavour,’ 622, 623,624. It is found in soups, biscuits, and even some brands of rice crackers.
Provide frequent nutritious snacks for young children – up to 6 ‘meals’ a day as some children “lose” it if stretched for too long without food . Ensure children drink water regularly and encourage them to sip at least every hour.
Get a chiropractic check up – if mood swings have started ‘out of the blue’ it may be associated with a fall, a nightmare, following illness or a fever.
Provide a low GI diet for your children. This will sustain their energy so they can better deal with frustration and change. This means providing a protein and a carbohydrate with every meal or snack.
Some ideas would be:-
- Baked beans on toast
- Fruit with nuts and yogurt
- Fruit with cheese
- Ham & tomato
- Chicken & avocado
- Hummus and carrots
- Pasta with mince sauce
- Rice with vegetables
- Scrambled eggs with tomatoes/spinach/beans
- Plain biscuits with peanut butter
- Smoothie with banana, milk, yoghurt, honey (a little), shredded cocoanut, frozen berries, and a couple of teaspoons of almond meal – to add protein and provide longer lasting energy.
Substitute milk with almond, soy or rice milk.
TRANSITION/CHANGE
Some children do not manage change easily so it is important to guide them gently through times of change. Give plenty of warning eg “In ten minutes it will be bath time” “In 5 minutes we will need to get into the car” etc.
Commencing day care can be a big change for a young child and it is important to work with the centre to instigate a gradual “settling in” process. If you are concerned that your child may find this really hard, ask them to consider letting your child attend just a few hours a day for a few weeks.
BRAIN GYM
Brain Gym is a series of gentle exercises that help children to focus, concentrate and to be calm. It can help with mood swings. As a brain gym practiotner for many years I have used this in conjunction with dietary changes to help with mood swings. A brain gym practiotner can test to see if your child needs this modality
RETAINED PRIMITIVE REFLEXES
They are reflexes controlled by the brainstem and associated lower centre of our nervous system. These reflexes develop during pregnancy and are essential for a baby’s survival in the early stages of life.
As a baby’s brain and nervous system mature, these uncontrollable reflexes are no longer needed, and in normal situations the higher centres integrate and take over the primitive reflexes. While everyone has these reflexes they remain with us for the remainder of our life, , it is very important they become integrated or controlled by the higher centres in the brain early in our childhood. If not remediation is required. A good osteopath can help with this work or a pediatric physiotherapist.
TIPS FOR MOOD SWINGS
- Remove all sugar from the diet
- Provide low GI food to sustain energy
- Drink lots of water
- Check indicators for worms
- Have allergy tests with preferred health practiotner
- Introduce change gently
- Consult a brain gym practitioner
- Consult an osteopath who understands sacro cranial work
- Stay calm
Symptoms of worms are itchiness, restless sleep or irritability.
