Eight Telltale Signs Your Child May Benefit from Counseling
Just like adults, most kids have their own share of emotional and behavioral issues. Based on a National Research Council and Institute of Medicine report, it is estimated that 13 to 20 percent of American children experience emotional distress, such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, or oppositional defiance, in a given year. For some of these youths, these conditions interfere significantly with their daily lives.
Emotional health is an important component of overall well-being. Unfortunately, children with emotional issues are less likely to receive treatment than adults. Children with chronic or severe conditions can have difficulty at home, in school, and in other settings. Without early diagnosis and treatment, their development can be impaired and the symptoms may continue to affect them throughout their lives.
Most parents want their children to be okay. When their behavior is out of the ordinary, it is usually taken as part of growing up and children are expected to outgrow the symptoms. Parents are not usually overly concerned when their child acts up, but the presence of two or more symptoms is sufficient reason to consult a professional. This means that you have in your hands the herculean task of deciphering the signs and deciding whether your child needs professional help.
These eight signs are not all-inclusive, but they represent some of the symptoms that indicate that your child may need the help of an expert.
- Abrupt Changes in Behavior. A sudden change in your child’s behavior or personality, especially when their actions become unsafe or out of control, should be taken very seriously. Frequent involvement in fights and hurting others or themselves are signs that you must not take lightly. If the abrupt changes in behavior are accompanied by other signs—erratic sleeping patterns, irritability, lapsing into fantasy, and poor academic performance—it is best that you take your child to a therapist.
- Difficulty Concentrating. Younger children are naturally curious, and their attention span is normally fleeting. As they grow older, their ability to focus improves. If your older child has trouble focusing or sitting still, or they exhibit episodes of daydreaming and failure to complete tasks, these signs are worth discussing with a counselor. It is not safe to assume that this is just a passing stage.
- Intense Expressions of Feelings. Your child may express overwhelming feelings, especially about things that children shouldn’t be concerned about, with fast breathing or a racing heartbeat, to the point that it interferes with their daily activities. These manifestations are unusual for a child and can indicate that they need an immediate assessment and treatment without delay.
- Severe Mood Swings. Generally, children love to be with their friends. If your child is showing signs of sadness and expresses this by avoiding people or preferring to be alone for at least two weeks or longer, pay attention. This is unusual and can be a strong indicator that your child is suffering emotionally. In young children, severe mood swings in the form of irritability, unexplained fear, or sullenness are strong warnings of clinical depression or bipolar disorder. These are conditions that require help from a professional.
- Persistent Physical Symptoms. Complaints of physical discomfort, such as headache, dizziness, numbness, lack of energy, or lethargy in a child may indicate an underlying emotional issue. If they have been thoroughly examined by a doctor to rule out medical conditions and the physical symptoms persist, seek an assessment from a therapist. It is common for children to feel unwell when they have emotional issues.
- Self-Harm. The act of deliberately causing harm to self or others is an alarming sign of poor emotional health. An immediate evaluation is vital to determine the cause of self-harming thoughts, feelings, and actions, so that an appropriate and prompt intervention can be made.
- Significant Weight Loss or Gain. When your child’s appetite significantly changes, either by suddenly losing the desire to eat or by bingeing on food, it can indicate a deeper emotional issue. An eating disorder may result from stress, anxiety, or depression. Whatever the cause is, professional help may be necessary to address the root of the emotional issue.
- Substance Abuse. Using drugs or alcohol may be your older or adolescent child’s way of managing or masking their negative feelings, which could be anything from anxiety to depression or ADHD. Getting an assessment of their symptoms is a vital step to understanding their emotional condition and preventing addiction. Swift action is necessary to restore your child’s emotional health and general wellness.
Childhood psychological, emotional, and behavioral issues are highly treatable and manageable. Detection of the symptoms and early treatment can effectively prevent the development of disorders. However, if a condition goes untreated, it becomes part of a child’s behavior through adulthood. Even if treatment is provided later, the issue can be difficult to completely manage.
Where to Entrust Your Child’s Psychological Health
A child who is emotionally unwell may experience difficulty sustaining healthy relationships at home and in school, if the condition is left untreated. It is critically important for parents to invest in early intervention to ensure a brighter and happier future for their children.
This starts with finding a credible organization that you can trust to provide the support your child needs. Carolina Counseling Services (CCS) — Pittsboro, NC, is the place to turn: CCS contracts with independent counselors who can be relied on for their commitment and experience to overcome a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues in children. One of them may be the right fit with a treatment plan tailored to your child’s needs. Just make a call to schedule an appointment.