What’s negativism?

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Negativism is defined as behavior that is extremely resistant to both internal and external stimulation. This condition is often present to some extent in young children and adolescence, but can also occur in adults. Both males and females can experience negativism in various forms, some of which can be socially and emotionally debilitating.

There are different forms of negativistic behavior. One that is often seen early in life is known as active negativism. In this manifestation, the individual chooses not only not to comply with direct orders, but to actually go and do the opposite of what is requested or ordered. For example, a child who is told not to eat cookies before dinner will choose to wait until adults aren’t watching and sneak the cookies out of the kitchen.

An extreme example of negativism can be a sign of some type of undiagnosed mental disorder. Patients who tend not to respond not only to promptings and motivations from others, but also to internal stimuli such as hunger and pain, display 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.

Negativism in children can manifest itself in different ways. In addition to choosing to do the opposite of what their parents or caregivers tell them to do, children can draw inward and become verbally unresponsive. The lack of response can go so far as not to look at others, or even to acknowledge that others are in the room in any way. In some cases, a child displaying negative behavioral traits may react to listening instructions they don’t like by running away from the room without any kind 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 towards the world around them can take place at times when life circumstances are undergoing a drastic change. For example, a young person dealing with the emotional and physical changes that occur at the onset of puberty may be going through an extremely negative phase. Adults who experience life-changing events such as divorce, loss of a spouse or child, or even job loss may develop negativism over 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 negative reactions to others and ultimately render those reasons ineffective. In situations where the root causes of negativism are more complicated, it may be necessary to use medication along with behavior modification therapy and counseling to break the negative cycle. As with many types of emotional disorders, the earlier treatment begins, the better the chances of the patient recovering in a short period of time.

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