NEGATIVISM
Negativism in children can manifest in several different
ways. Along with choosing to do the opposite of what parents or caregivers tell
them to do, children may draw inward and become verbally non-responsive. The
lack of response may go as far as to not look at others, or even acknowledge
that others are in the room in any manner. In some cases, a child exhibiting
negative behavior traits may react to hearing instructions he or she does not
like by fleeing from the room without any type of verbal response.
Many people go through periods where they exhibit this type of
behavior on a limited basis. This limited withdrawal or even antagonism to the
world around them may take place at times when life circumstances are
undergoing a drastic change. For example, a young person dealing with the
emotional as well as the physical changes that occur at the onset of puberty
may go through a phase of being extremely negative. Adults who experience
life-changing events such as a divorce, loss of a spouse or child, or even the
loss of a job may develop negativism for
a period of time.
Fortunately, there are effective ways to deal with negativism at any stage of life. Counseling can
often help uncover the basis for the negative reactions to others, and
eventually render those reasons ineffectual. In situations where the root
causes of the negativism are
more complicated, there may be a need to utilize medication along with behavior
modification therapy and counseling in order to break the negative cycle. As
with many types of emotional disorders, the sooner that treatment commences,
the better chances the patient has for recovery in a short period of time.
An extreme example of negativism can be a sign of some type of undiagnosed mental disorder.Patients who
tend to become non-responsive to not only suggestions and motivations from
others, but also to internal stimuli like hunger and pain are exhibiting what
is known as catatonic negativism. This
extreme detachment from self and others can be a dangerous situation, and
should be treated by mental health professionals as soon as possible
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