Deciding when to seek professional help for children may not always be as clear-cut as for adults; this doesn’t mean that you should avoid it. There are some signs to look for in your children that cannot go ignored. Conflict amongst friends, school issues, or a lack of motivation are just a few of the signs to look for when observing your child’s mental health. However, if you feel that you do not fully understand the problems you are noticing in your child, it may be a good idea to seek a third party.
Social Issues With Friends
One of the first things you may notice in your child’s behavior is their relationships with other kids. Anxiety is a normal part of life for children and adults, but if you notice it prevents them from making friends or maintaining friendships, there could be more going on. You may notice that your child is having a hard time falling asleep, or they may even fear being alone. You may even notice nail-biting or the picking of skin in some cases.
As a parent, it may be easy to recognize these signs. However, one thing that often gets overlooked and misjudged is school behavior. Many parents believe bad behavior and poor grades result from the child simply not caring. More than likely, the truth is something deeper going on that needs to be evaluated by a professional. Poor grades and bad behavior in the classroom can result from anxiety, depression, or ADHD. These disorders should be taken seriously and need immediate attention before things become too severe.
Self Destruction and Unusual Behaviour
If you notice that your child is engaging in repeated destructive behaviors, it is essential to seek a therapist. Destructive behaviors may include cutting their wrists, digging nails into the skin to cause pain, or any form of self-harm – these actions all require professional help.
You also want to pay attention to if your child is unusually anxious, sad, or irritable for a long period, and it’s getting in the way of their ability to do things they normally do. Also, if your child’s behavior disrupts the family or affects them at school, something deeper may be going on. Children often express emotions through negative behaviors, like acting out, talking back to teachers, or arguing with friends. These are all things to consider before you punish or shame them. Instead, sit down with them and let them tell you what is going on.
How to Seek Help
If you notice these signs, don’t be afraid to talk to your child. You never know how willing your child will be to seek extra help. Even reaching out to their pediatrician can help; they can help you decide what’s considered normal or not. If you need professional help, your pediatrician can refer you to a therapist who will be a good match for your child and provide other resources. Seeking the right help doesn’t entail medication or hospitalization if you do not want it to. Even if the problems aren’t severe, therapy can help your child learn coping skills and different strategies for handling life’s challenges. It doesn’t matter if your child needs help navigating normal developmental challenges or even something more serious; finding help can make life easier for everyone involved.
When to Seek Help
Although some signs may be subjective, many signs cannot be ignored. If you notice that your child struggles in multiple areas of life, with family, school, recreational activities, and friends, it’s time to seek help. When kids are approaching puberty, they can worry more than usual, but when they start showing excessive worry about the future or have less confidence, it warrants third-party help. If you begin to notice your child withdrawing from family, friends, or any other activities they once loved, this is also a sign to seek professional help. These behaviors may be accompanied by social withdrawal or isolation from friends, followed by a drastic change in their behavior. This change is most common after a major life event, such as the birth of a new sibling, a divorce between parents, or a move.
Whatever is going on with your child, know that you both will be okay. There is help available.
If you notice unusual behavior in your child, it may be time to seek professional help. Social issues with friends, withdrawal, self-destruction, and any other random occurrences may not be random. All of these signs may suggest something deeper is going on with your child – not just the normal childhood emotions. Sit down and talk with your kids about any problems they may have, and let them know that you are there to help. The majority of the signs you may see are treatable, especially if you reach out for help early on. It will work in your favor if you take every sign seriously and handle them with care. To seek professional help for your child, reach out to Healthy U. Healthy U has created a program based on teaching emotional intelligence and life skills to teenagers. With these skills, we help them beat emotional and mental health issues to succeed socially. We can directly provide all the resources you need to help you and your child. Reach out to our team to learn how Healthy U could help your teen to take control of their life and start feeling like themselves again. Contact us at (619)-542-8542.
