Recognizing Mental Health Problems in Children
In the current generation, children’s mental health is a matter of concern. Parents should be aware of factors such as modern lifestyle, parental pressure, education and competition, which can affect your child’s mental health.
Importance of Child Mental Health
It is not easy to analyze your child’s mental health or understand the signs of depression in children. This is simply because children are unable to express their feelings even if they are mentally disturbed. There can be a range of child mental health disorders that have the potential to affect your child’s life and future such as anxiety disorders, attention-deficits, hyperactivity disorders or even Schizophrenia. As a parent, you need to understand some mental disorder signs early enough to take precautions for your child’s mental health.
Recommended Read: Why Children’s Mental Health Should Be Promoted at Schools
What are the Signs of Mental Health Problems in Children?
It might be difficult to differentiate between normal child behavior and a behavior that comes across as a result of some mental illness. However, a little extra care and attention can easily help you delve deeper into your child’s mental health symptoms:
Mood Swings
Your child can’t be happy or active every day. But if you find that your otherwise jovial kid is having bouts of sadness and mood swings too often, there are chances that your child is going through some trouble that can cause depression or anxiety .
Intense Sensations
If your kid is overwhelmed by negative feelings which interrupt his/her daily activities and education, there are chances that your child might be affected or depressed.
Physical Symptoms
Sometimes, child mental health is best analyzed through a close observation of his/her physical symptoms. For instance, if your child develops certain eating disorders leading to subsequent weight loss or other physical troubles like a headache, stomach-ache and so on, this can be a result of some mental health disorders.
Difficulty in Concentration
Child mental health has a lot to do with trouble focusing, which leads to poor performance in their academics. At such times, parents should seek the assistance of child organizations, which can help children build their mental stability.
Physical Harming Tendencies
If your child has a tendency to harm himself/herself, you should immediately consult a doctor. Harming oneself physically is a sign of mental health illness, and if ignored, it can lead to your child developing suicidal thoughts.
Child mental health problems require immediate attention and consultation. Look for the signs mentioned above to be vigilant about your child’s mental state.
Keep yourself updated with the latest on Mental Wellbeing . Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more on Health , Diet & Nutrition and Healthy Aging . Also, check out our Health Tools and try out our health-related Quizzes .