Mental health in adolescents and children can be easily overlooked. Many times more troubling behaviors can be difficult to recognize from typical day-to-day emotions as your child is still learning to navigate the world and how to properly express what they are feeling.
However, mental health can affect children in many of the same ways it can affect adults, so it is essential to understand how to recognize the warning signs and get your child the care they need. Early treatment is the most effective way to prevent mental disorders from increasing in severity. By giving your child the proper tools to minimize the effects early on, it assists them in developing practical coping skills to prevent lasting problems as they grow up.
Behavioral Warning Signs in Children
As children age they are grappling with recognizing and understanding their emotions, which can make determining whether your child is exhibiting warning signs a bit more challenging.
Many adults have the world knowledge and emotional intelligence to understand when they need to ask for help or receive an evaluation for mental health care – it is important to acknowledge that children may need this same care, but may not know how to ask.
Warning Signs in Younger Children
Some of the following warning signs are commonly presented in young children:
- Intense irritability or frequent tantrums that seem to occur regularly throughout each day
- Regularly talking about fears or worries they have
- Having frequent complaints about stomach or headaches without a medical cause
- Are in constant motion and struggle to sit still for extended periods of time (this does not apply to situations when they are playing, watching videos, or playing video games)
- They do not express interest in playing with other children or tend to have difficulty making friends
- Sleeping in excess or not sleeping enough, having regular nightmares, or consistently appears to be sleepy throughout the day
- Find it difficult to succeed academically or experience a decline in their grades
- Participate in repeat actions or behaviors such as checking things many times with a sense of anxiety that if they don’t something bad may occur.
Warning Signs in Older Children
Older children may exhibit the following warning signs:
- Losing interest in activities they previously enjoyed
- Feeling fatigued or regularly having low energy
- Having trouble sleeping, sleeping in excess, or appearing exhausted throughout the day.
- They are spending more time alone and tend to avoid social activities or gatherings with family or friends.
- They engage in activities like smoking, drinking, or using drugs
- Exhibit destructive or risky behavior either alone or with friends
- Have expressed thoughts of suicide
- Engage in behaviors associated with self-harm
- Experience periods of high energy and begin sleeping less than usual
- Express that they believe someone may be controlling their mind or that they are hearing things others cannot hear
If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms it may be beneficial to schedule an appointment with Conventions Psychiatry in Warrenville, IL. Our mental health professionals can conduct an evaluation to determine what care plan is most suitable for your child and provide you with the services you need.
Benefits of Child and Adolescent Therapy
Psychological therapy is designed to assist in treating and managing mental health symptoms in children to provide them with the tools they need to function well in their day-to-day lives. When warning sign behaviors are caught early on, it enables your child to begin learning management techniques and receive the care they need before the severity of the issue increases.
Therapy is also beneficial to help children and adolescents learn and practice ways to communicate their feelings in a productive way rather than keeping them bottled up inside.
Giving your child the opportunity to work through their emotions in an open space of discussion can provide them with the power to understand and navigate fluctuations in their mood more successfully as they age.
Mental health professionals who specialize in child and adolescents have the knowledge to diagnose and provide care for children facing a wide variety of mental disorders. Typically, with younger children, parents are encouraged to participate in therapy sessions alongside their child. This technique allows children to ease into the environment and feel more comfortable participating in the sessions. Older children may feel more inclined to participate in therapy sessions alone, allowing them to have a more private space to discuss.
Types of Child and Adolescent Therapy
With a more parent-focused approach, it delivers parents the opportunity to communicate what they are noticing in their child’s behavior. This approach is particularly helpful with younger children since they may not be able to verbalize or fully understand the emotions or behaviors they are exhibiting. This type of therapy may also include talking, playing, or other activities that guide the child to express their thoughts and feelings.
Child and adolescent therapy can also be done in a group setting. Many mental health professionals will recommend a mix of both a one-on-one approach and a group setting. With a group your child may feel more comfortable to discuss topics with those who are experiencing similar emotions. It is comforting to many to find other individuals who can empathize and relate and some children may have a similar sentiment, especially in times when it is hard for a parent to relate to what they are going through.
Our psychiatric professionals at Conventions Psychiatry recommend discussing all potential options with a mental health specialist near you. To schedule an appointment with our team call (630) 416 – 8289.
Sources:
CDC. “Therapy to Improve Children’s Mental Health.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 19 Apr. 2022, https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/parent-behavior-therapy.html#:~:text=The%20therapist%20helps%20the%20child,that%20go%20along%20with%20them.
CDC. “What Is Children’s Mental Health?” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 19 Apr. 2022, https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/basics.html.
National Institute of Mental Health. “Child and Adolescent Mental Health.” National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/child-and-adolescent-mental-health.
Staff, Mayo Clinic. “Worried about Your Child’s Mental Health?” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2 Mar. 2022, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/mental-illness-in-children/art-20046577.
