[The Restless Child (author's transl)]

Physiological unrest of children seems to originate from a basic need for activity in humans. It becomes apparent as "enjoyment of action" during age-specific periods, particularly during emotional phases of development. Apart from clearly neurological diseases, psychomotoric unrest as a pathological symptom can be observed in three forms different in artiology and psychodynamics: as cerebral unrest, psycho-vegetative unrest, and neurotic unrest. Causes, psychodynamics and appearances of the unrest as mentioned before are discussed and illustrated by details of case histories. Basically, the psychomotoric unrest is an expression of frustrated emotion, preventing the child from adjustment to reality, thereby causing a deficit of experience, which inturn is the reason for a secondary lack of success, to which the child reacts again with psychomotoric unrest. Therapy has to interrupt this vicious circle by three recommended approaches: drug therapy, child guidance, and psycho-therapy. Sociological aspects of the "restless child" are mentioned.