A family of four walk on the street in Foshan, south China's Guangdong Province. (Photo/xkb.com.cn)
(ECNS) -- Since China dropped its decades-long one-child policy, many first-born children have become troubled emotionally, as they oppose their parents having a second baby, xkb.com.cn reported on Thursday.
Many of the children suffer from emotional turmoil that is not linked to any medical condition, but feel that the patience and love from their parents might be taken away, according to experts in child psychology.
Tan Xiaohua, associate chief physician at the department of pediatrics of the 3rd Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, said more patients have asked for help with their kids in the past several days.
"Some of the children came to the hospital suffering symptoms such as stomach aches, dizziness, and foot pain," Tan said. But no conditions were detected after examining the children.
The two-child policy, which allows more couples to have a second child, has increased uncertainties among many first children, who have become frantic or shown a loss of appetite, the report said.
Tan says this happens mainly because they worry they will receive a lack of attention after their younger brothers or sisters are born.
This kind of condition is called hysteria or separation anxiety disorder, in which a child becomes irritable when they feel they are separated from their loved ones, said Cheng Daomeng, associate chief physician at the department of pediatrics of Guangzhou Brain Hospital.
Some children may even develop physical symptoms, such as headaches or stomach aches, it was added.
"Parents should not blame their children for this. Instead, they should be fully present and quietly understanding, with great attention," he said.
Tan suggests that when parents are about to have a second child, they should gradually let their first child know that they will have a younger sister or brother, and also teach them how to get along with them.
Coping strategies, namely more understanding, not comparing their two kids, and getting professional help from kindergarten teachers can also help relieve a first child's anxiety, it was added.
