I nearly had a heart attack today when she was outside with him while he was washing the car. Play chase games and hiding games in a safe place, where you lament that she has run off, to get her laughing. 2017;211(5):289-295. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.117.200618, Guyon-Harris KL, Humphreys KL, Fox NA, Nelson CA, Zeanah CH. This is also called disinhibited social engagement disorder (DSED). She hasnt had any babysitters yet and I forgot to mention Im a stay at home parent, so she doesnt go to daycare. I dont want to change her into a social butterfly thats not who she is but I do want her to be able to enjoy life with others around. 2015;56(3):207-222. doi:10.1111/jcpp.12347, von Klitzing K, Dhnert M, Kroll M, Grube M. Mental disorders in early childhood. My daughter reacts so much better when I empathize and stay patient. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. And it USUALLY settles down around 24 months. Its also a phenomenon in which toddlers, often between the ages of 12 and 24 months, view anyone other than their parents as a threat or scary even if that someone is their (formerly) favorite aunt or uncle. So much so that someone we saw a lot but not someone we were close to asked me at some point if there was something wrong with my son, because he wouldnt smile or peekaboo with her like other kids his age. The 2 Most Psychologically Incisive Films of 2022, The Surprising Role of Empathy in Traumatic Bonding, How a Stronger Body Can Transform Your Identity, Two Questions to Help You Spot a Clingy Partner-to-Be. So you may have been over-reacting. The child has difficult, aggressive behaviour towards other children or adults. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. Adolescents with disinhibited social engagement disorder are likely to have problems with peers, parents, teachers, and coaches. Give her five- and 10-minute warnings about any transitions you anticipate might be difficult for her (i.e. She was not in any danger. Your toddler may react to his fear of strangers or surprising situations by crying and holding on tightly to you. A baby who is naturally more scared of strangers, but who spends a lot of time around them from an early age, such as at daycare, will overcome her fear a lot faster than a child of the same disposition who is rarely away from her parents. All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals. Stranger Anxiety in Babies and Toddlers - FirstCry Parenting However, children with disinhibited social engagement disorder do not have this fear. And thats where I really like the advice from the Zero To Three piece, which is about addressing the very real-to-her anxiety while still honoring your childs temperament. This impairs a child's ability to develop trusting relationships with caregivers and often persists into adult life. 2. There is minimal social and emotional responsiveness to others, limited positive affect, and episodes of unexplained irritability, sadness, or fearfulness that are evident even during non-threatening interaction with adult caregivers.