Spoiling a child leads to a very unhappy adult

It can commence as a slight irritation. And then a sudden outburst. The head shakes uncontrollably, followed by scratching of skin, the feet can spasm in violent jerks, the mouth-frothing in anger. Slowly it builds, until you are nervous to go into polite society for fear people will see. For fear people will know, you have a spoilt child, writes Richard Hogan.

Often parents come to see me because they feel their child is out of control. They are puzzled as to how their once lovely garrulous child could have transformed into such an unpleasant and uncontrollable little monster.