Regulatory disorders in infancy: a diagnostic and therapeutic concept

Over the past decade, disturbances of behavioral regulation in infancy have attracted increasing scientific and clinical attention. Regulatory disorders such as excessive crying, problems of sleep-wake organization, feeding problems, inability to play, excessive clinging, temper tantrums, and early aggressive behavior represent extreme expressions of normal individual variability. Regulatory disorders originate in dysfunctional parent- infant interactions where parent and infant fail to cope with age-specific adaptational and regulatory demands. Leading symptoms comprise a triad of behavioral problem(s) on the infant's part, patterns of dysfunctional interaction, and severe parental distress. Long-term sequelae of regulatory disorders are unfavorable in contexts of multiple organic and psychosocial risks, particularly with respect to the quality of parent-infant relationships and externalizing and internalizing disorders. The therapeutic concept includes developmental counselling, psychosocial support of parents and therapeutic guidance in parent-infant interactions and communication.