It can be difficult to identify the signs of mental distress in children and adolescents and just dismiss them as a phase. Children are also not always prone to openly discussing issues with their parents for a variety of reasons.
And in some cases, when parents see signs of disorder in their children, they may try to sweep them under the rug for fear getting them institutionalized or medicated. But there are times when only skilled psychologists can help, and waiting to consult may only work to make matters worse as they age. Here are some of the tell-tale signs that your child may need to see a psychologist.
He’s Suddenly Starting to have Issues at School
When children start to develop emotional issues, they tend to lash out at the people close to them. It might be their teachers, other students, coaches, and other caretakers. If you start getting reports that your children are overly aggressive with other children and have a tendency to talk back or even be violent towards teachers, then it could be a sign of a deeper issue.
Self-Destructive Behavior
This is often the case with adolescent children. If your child was once happy and suddenly started abusing drugs and alcohol, then it may be a sign that they are coping with something else.
While a certain measure of angst and depression is common with teenagers, the bouts of anger shouldn’t be extreme and regular. If your child often explodes in bouts of rage or can hardly get out of bed all of a sudden, then it’s a sign of something more serious.
You should also be on the lookout for irregular sleep and eating patterns. Adolescence is a prime time for body disorders and is a time when teenagers start forming a body image. Pressure from their peer group or the media may be the catalyst for an eating disorder, which can have disastrous consequences. So, if you notice that your child is over or under eating, you should consider seeking help.
They’re Isolating themselves from their Friends and from the World
Not all children like to have a huge circle of friends. Some prefer to have just one or two close friends. However, if they have no personal relationship with other children, or if they loathe their situation, then it’s a sign something’s wrong. If you notice them talking about the fact that they have no friends or start saying things like “nobody likes me” or “I’m a loser” that should be a major red flag.
They’re Regressing
Children will often regress at certain times in their lives. For instance, if you welcome another child into the family, they might start to act clingy all of a sudden or throw tantrums out of a need for attention. Some will even start wetting the bed again or show extreme fearfulness. If any of these behaviors persist a month after the major event, it could be a sign that you need to see a professional to get to the root of the problem.
Conclusion
A growing child can benefit greatly from seeing a psychologist. They will be able to identify the real reasons behind their behavior and address them before they become uncontrollable and take over their life.
This is a collaborate guest post.
One Response
Thanks for discussing some key signs that a child may need to see a psychologist especially if they experience big changes and become aggressive or fearful. If adults have a hard time managing their emotions when under stress, I can only imagine the difficulty of a young person. So it’s important to also think about young members of the family, especially when going through tough changes.