8 Signs That Your Child May Need The Help Of A Therapist
As parents, you learn the hard way that even the most docile kids misbehave at some point in their lives. For most kids, this is a stage where they are experimenting with their emotions and trying various ways to cope with them. It can be in the form of screams, tantrums, misconduct, and even fights. Of course, no parent looks forward to them, and in most cases, you need to ignore them so they can calm down on their own, but not every child can be helped with the silent treatment. Some need proper attention from parents and therapy to get them back on track. Here are some signs that your child is going through something and may need the help of a therapist to overcome the turmoil. Read on to know them all.
1. Exaggerated Responses
The Child Mind Institute in the United States reports that even kids as young as 10 might exhibit disruptive conduct due to undetected anxiety (1). The child’s thinking is responsible for their overreaction. It’s a covert method of communicating how uncomfortable the kid feels on the inside when confronted with potentially dangerous situations. As a result, they have difficulty regulating their conduct in social contexts and often cause trouble. A child psychiatrist can aid a child in comprehending their feelings and come to terms with the fact that their current setting poses no danger.
2. Anger Issues
Some topics capture the attention of children. Parents of small children are used to dealing with whining & kicking, but if your child frequently resorts to rage, you should investigate the cause (2). Your child’s rage may have many causes, but a therapist may help you narrow down on those causes and provide more targeted treatment.
3. Persistent Sadness
A child’s anxiety or sadness over an unknown cause requires more investigation into the underlying problem. First, we should find out what is causing their unhappiness. If a child cannot feel safe and secure within their home or with their parents, they should seek professional help. Young children usually settle down because they understand their caregivers are trying to assist. Tensions arise when their worries continue, mainly if they center on obsessions. Possible OCD symptoms include excessive preoccupation with unwanted thoughts (fears) and behaviors.
4. Unexplained Drop In Grades
If your child’s grades have dropped suddenly, consider looking into it. Especially for younger students, a grade is more indicative of emotional stability than of intellectual accomplishment. Bullying’s repercussions are one possible explanation, but when it comes to a kid of five or six, the issue is likely to be more personal. Instead of going to a psychologist, you should discuss your concerns with your current instructor.
5. Always Lonely
Every kid occasionally needs to be left alone to think things through in peace and quiet. But how much of a preference are they developing for this action? Children have an insatiable need for interaction with others. After elementary school, kids can’t wait to tell their parents about their day, hang out with their pals, and play all afternoon.
6. Always Distracted
Though many kids have a habit of daydreaming, they nonetheless complete their assignments on time and improve their grammar and vocabulary. However, you should notice if your child’s ability to focus decreases to the point where he or she has trouble paying attention, sitting still, or concentrating on schoolwork. In just a few sessions, a therapist can determine whether or not a child is struggling with dyslexia or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
7. Compulsive Behaviors
Unless they persist into adulthood and become a significant source of distress, childhood obsessions and impulses can be viewed as a natural and healthy component of a child’s development. However, you should be concerned if your child has more severe compulsions or obsessions than their friends. This is a frequent symptom of OCD. A therapist should be consulted if the child’s obsessive behavior interferes with his or her ability to function normally.
8. Irregular Sleep
As parents, you are responsible for encouraging your children to develop good sleeping patterns beginning when they are infants and continuing well into their years of independence. Evidence shows that having erratic bedtimes might lead to behavioral issues (3). Sleep’s importance to physical and mental maturation cannot be overstated. Sleep deprivation in young children has been linked to cognitive and motor development delays. You should see a therapist if your kid has trouble sleeping, sleeplessness, or chronic exhaustion despite following a bedtime routine you established at home.
Children need to be around parents and caregivers and need constant attention to bloom to their full potential. It is not uncommon for children to overthink and make a mountain of a molehill over nothing, but following up through therapies can help them understand themselves and their emotions better. So what is it about a child’s mind that baffles you the most? Let us know in the comments section.
