Signs Your Child May Need To See A Therapist

Sometimes it seems like there is no end to the problems and disorders our children struggle with. At the end of the day, it’s a parent’s job to put their child’s well-being and development ahead of their own needs and desires. This can mean putting a child’s health and happiness ahead of their own, but it’s also important for parents to recognize when a child needs help.

Most parents are great at helping their children learn how to cope with everyday problems, but they are sometimes not so great at solving the emotional issues that show up in their child’s life. If your child is struggling with emotional issues, it is important to know that help is available. A child therapist can work with your child to learn how to identify and solve his or her problems.

Children’s mental health gets a lot of attention in the media, but there’s often a tendency to focus on the symptoms rather than the causes of mental health issues. While behavioral and emotional problems are incredibly common among children, there are more of them than you’d think — one in five children suffers from at least one anxiety disorder, one in eight from a mood disorder, and one in sixteen from a behavioral disorder.

Here are some signs that your child may need to see a therapist:

• Difficult Situation

Stress can trigger or exacerbate physical ailments, from migraines and skin rashes to digestive issues and arthritis. You may be able to control your stress levels, but is it possible for your child to control his or her own? A child who spends much of his or her time stressed out may experience higher levels of depression, anxiety, and inflammation than a child who is less stressed out. A child who is suffering from stress is not as common in today’s society as it once was. However, it’s still not a matter of a child being labeled as ‘high strung’ or ‘overly dramatic’ as it used to be. These days, a child who is suffering from stress can be just as problematic as adults who are suffering from stress.

• Sleeping or Eating Habits change

Small changes in your child’s eating and sleeping habits may be more important than you think. While it’s common for kids to be active in bed, weight gain and insomnia are also big warning signs for parents.

• Utmost Feelings of Worry or Sadness

I’m sure everyone has felt extreme emotions at one point. But after experiencing these intensely emotional experiences, you may notice that you feel a lot of worry or sadness. This is because these emotional experiences are a sign that your child might need to see a therapist.

• Violent Behaviors

Violence is a word that is often used in the media to describe different types of violent acts, but it is important to understand what exactly is meant by this word. Violence is a broad term that can be used to describe many different things, from verbal assaults to physical assaults, from minor acts of aggression to more serious crimes. There are many different types of violence that can occur within children and adolescents. Some of these can be serious enough to warrant additional assistance on the part of a therapist.

• Setting apart from others

When a child is socially isolated, they don’t have many friends, and they may feel sad, lonely, and upset. When this happens, it’s a sign that a child may need to see a therapist.

• Troublesome Behavior

When kids act up in class, say, or refuse to do their homework, an increasing number of parents worry that their child may have a behavioral or learning disorder. You know how it is… sometimes, you just don’t get it. Sure, the kids were still in bed, but they were complaining. Lately, they barely eat dinner, they never do their homework, and they’re sleeping in later than ever before. So, what’s going on? It’s normal to see some less-than-ideal behavior in kids, but if it’s happening too often and it’s causing some real problems, it’s time to see a therapist.

• Speaking about Death Often

While you may have thought that your child is only a bit morbid, he/she may be showing signs that they may need to see a therapist.

• Backsliding

Children backslide a term that describes children who get worse instead of better as they get older. The most common reason for a child to backslide is that their parents are unable to give them what they need. With backsliding, it is important to determine if your child is suffering from major depression, which is defined as a pervasive illness characterized by low mood, a loss of interest in life, and an inability to experience a pleasure. There is also a spectrum of depression, which can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, trauma, and chronic pain. If you notice certain behavior patterns in your child that don’t fit the “traditional” child development stages, it may be a sign to seek help.

• Physical Complaints Increased

Often, children with attention and learning disorders experience changes in physical complaints that can be easily overlooked. These could include headaches, insomnia, stomach aches, and/or sore throats, to name just a few. When you notice your child behaving strangely or behaving differently than they did in previous years, these may be signs that they need to see a therapist. Physical complaints are the most common reason children have to see a therapist.

 

A child psychologist says a child’s first year of life is a critical time for development, and she or he is highly sensitive to environmental changes. She or he also says parenting is hard work, and parents should learn to be compassionate, nurturing, and patient. If a child lacks these qualities and isn’t happy, they may need to see a therapist.

A therapist is a go-to person when a family is going through a difficult situation. Whether it’s the first, second, or sometimes even a third or fourth time during a person’s lifetime, it is a very important time. And while many people visit with a therapist once or twice in their entire lives, some children need to see a therapist more than once during their childhood.