| Children's Threats: When are
they Serious?
Several recent tragedies have involved
children shooting and killing individuals after making threats. When this
occurs, everyone asks themselves, "How could this happen?" and
"Why didn't we take the threat seriously?"
Most threats made by children or
adolescents are not carried out. Many such threats are the child's way of
talking "big" or tough, or getting attention. Sometimes these
threats are a reaction to a perceived hurt, rejection, or attack.
What threats should be taken seriously?
Examples of potentially dangerous or emergency situations with a child or
adolescent include:
- threats or warnings about hurting or
killing someone
- threats or warnings about hurting or
killing oneself
- threats to run away from home
- threats to damage or destroy property
Child and adolescent psychiatrists and
other mental health professionals agree that it is very difficult to
predict a child's future behavior with complete accuracy. A person's past
behavior, however, is still one of the best predictors of future behavior.
For example, a child with a history of violent or assault behavior is more
likely to carry out his/her threats and be violent.
When is there more risk associated with
threats from children and adolescents?
The presence of one or more of the following increases the risk of violent
or dangerous behavior:
- past violent or aggressive behavior
(including uncontrollable angry outbursts)
- access to guns or other weapons
- bringing a weapon to school
- past suicide attempts or threats
- family history of violent behavior or
suicide attempts
- blaming others and/or unwilling to
accept responsibility for one's own actions
- recent experience of humiliation, shame,
loss, or rejection
- bullying or intimidating peers or
younger children
- a pattern of threats
- being a victim of abuse or neglect
(physical, sexual, or emotional)
- witnessing abuse or violence in the home
- themes of death or depression evident in
conversation, written expressions, reading selections, or artwork
- preoccupation with themes and acts of
violence in TV shows, movies, music, magazines, comics, books, video
games, and Internet sites
- mental illness, such as depression,
mania, psychosis, or bipolar disorder
- use of alcohol or illicit drugs
- disciplinary problems at school or in
the community (delinquent behavior)
- past destruction of property or
vandalism
- cruelty to animals
- fire-setting behavior
- poor peer relationships and/or social
isolation
- involvement with cults or gangs
- little or no supervision or support from
parents or other caring adult
What should be done if parents or others
are concerned?
When a child makes a serious threat it should not be dismissed as just
idle talk. Parents, teachers, or other adults should immediately talk with
the child. If it is determined that the child is at risk and the child
refuses to talk, is argumentative, responds defensively, or continues to
express violent or dangerous thoughts or plans, arrangements should be
made for an immediate evaluation by a mental health professional with
experience evaluating children and adolescents. Evaluation of any serious
threat must be done in the context of the individual child's past
behavior, personality, and current stressors. In an emergency situation or
if the child or family refuses help, it may be necessary to contact local
police for assistance or take the child to the nearest emergency room for
evaluation. Children who have made serious threats must be carefully
supervised while awaiting professional intervention. Immediate evaluation
and appropriate ongoing treatment of youngsters who make serious threats
can help the troubled child and reduce the risk of tragedy.
Information
provided by:
American Academy of Child/Adolescent Psychiatry
http://www.aacap.org
[ Up ] [ adhd ] [ responding to child sexual abuse ] [ self injury ] [ sex education ] [ threats ]
|
