Signs Your Child May Be Struggling With Mental Health Issues

Identifying mental health issues in children can be challenging. It can be tough to determine if your child's behaviors are normal or signs of a mental health condition.

However, it's crucial to identify and address mental health issues in children as they can significantly impact their behavior, learning ability, and emotional development. In severe cases, these issues may even hinder a child's ability to function normally.

This article highlights some common signs of mental health issues in young children and teenagers, along with steps you can take if you suspect your child may be struggling.

Signs of Mental Health Issues in Young Children:

Infants, toddlers, and young children may not be able to communicate their experiences, but you may notice changes or abnormalities in their behavior or development.

Some signs to look out for include:

1. Irritability: Your child may become fussy and irritable frequently. They may startle easily and cry excessively. Calming them down once they start crying may also prove to be difficult.

2. Difficulty Sleeping: Your child may have trouble falling asleep, experience frequent night awakenings, or have intense nightmares.

3. Gastrointestinal Problems: Your child may experience feeding difficulties or gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, or constipation.

4. Bedwetting: Your child may wet the bed even after being potty trained.

5. Anxious Behavior: Your child may display anxious behaviors such as clinging to family members, being unable to tolerate separation from them, being intimidated by new people, and being scared to leave their home.

6. Aggressive Behavior: Your child may display disobedience, frustration, or aggression by hitting, kicking, biting, or throwing frequent tantrums.

7. Developmental Issues: Your child may not reach the developmental milestones expected for their age. They may even regress in terms of skills and developmental milestones, losing the ability to perform tasks they previously could.

Signs of Mental Health Issues in Teenagers:

Adolescents and teenagers may react differently to mental health conditions. For instance, people may assume that a teenager acting out is going through a typical teenage phase and will eventually grow out of it. However, they may be struggling with a mental health condition.

Some signs to watch for in teenagers include:

1. Irritability or Anger: Your teenager may be irritable or angry frequently.

2. Mood Swings: They may experience extreme mood swings, alternating between euphoria and dejection.

3. Withdrawal and Isolation: They may become moody and withdrawn, ceasing communication with you and preferring to be isolated. They may stop seeing their friends or communicating with them via phone, text, or social media.

4. Loss of Interest: They may lose interest in activities they once enjoyed, such as music or sports.

5. Fear and Avoidance: They may develop a fear of common things or become hesitant to try new things.

6. Difficulty Coping: They may struggle to cope with everyday activities and stressors.

7. Difficulty Relating to Others: They may have difficulty relating to others or expressing their emotions.

8. Changes in Appearance or Hygiene: They may drastically change their appearance or neglect their personal hygiene.

9. Conflict: They may engage in fights with friends, family members, teachers, or school authorities.

10. Sleep Disturbances: They may sleep excessively or have trouble getting a full night's sleep. They may also feel tired or low on energy.

11. Eating Disturbances: They may eat excessively or lose their appetite. You may notice changes in their weight or eating habits.

12. Unexplained Physical Ailments: They may complain of unexplained physical ailments, such as headaches, stomach aches, or other symptoms.

13. Academic Difficulties: They may experience difficulty with learning, thinking, remembering, or concentrating. This may lead to poor performance at school and a lack of interest in schoolwork.

14. Substance Use: They may engage in substance use, such as alcohol, marijuana, or drugs.

15. Risky Behaviors: They may engage in risky or unsafe behaviors or cause trouble at home, school, or in the community.

16. Suicidal Thoughts: They may talk about death or suicide.

How to Help Your Child:

If you suspect your child may be struggling with a mental health condition, here are some steps you can take:

1. Reach Out to Your Child: If your child is an adolescent or teenager, talk to them and ask how they're feeling. If they're acting out, try to connect with them and let them know you're there for them. You can also try bonding with them through activities they enjoy.

2. Take Your Child to a Healthcare Provider: Take your child to their pediatrician, family doctor, primary healthcare provider, or therapist. They can screen your child for mental health conditions or refer you to a specialist if necessary.

3. Cooperate with the Healthcare Provider: The healthcare provider will ask questions about your child's medical and family history, talk to your child, and perform any necessary tests or exams. It's helpful to give your child some one-on-one time with the healthcare provider.

4. Follow the Treatment Plan: If your child is diagnosed with a mental health condition, it's essential to get them the treatment they need. This may include therapy, lifestyle changes, social support, education, and, in some cases, medication.

Remember:

The prospect of your child having a mental health condition can be frightening and heartbreaking, but it's vital to seek help as soon as possible. Your child is not alone, as approximately 17% of children have a mental health condition—that's one in six children.