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The Inherent Parent Blog

When to be concerned about your child's mental health

1/24/2021

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When I do intakes with parents to get more information about how their child is doing, I ask "Are there any signs of depression or anxiety that you're concerned about?" Often parents say "what would that look like in a child?" The answer is that they have the same symptoms as adults, but they may show up differently. Look for:
  • changes in eating patterns 
    • loss of appetite
    • increase in appetite
    • eating fewer healthy foods
    • unable to try new foods
    • the operative word here is "changes". Look for any differences in their usual food patterns. If you've had a kid who's always been a picky eater and is still a picky eater, that is not indicative of a change. 
  • changes in sleeping patterns
    • increased need for sleep
    • decreased need for sleep
    • increased nightmares or night waking
    • difficulty falling asleep
    • increased fear or anxiety around sleep
  • irritability
    • just like with adults, irritability can be a sign of depression or anxiety in kids. 
    • Look for patterns over time. One day of irritability is not a pattern, it is a difficult day. Are you consistently seeing irritability or negativity, even in the face of something fun? 
  • aggression
    • just like with eating and sleeping patterns, focus on if this is a change. 
    • also consider if your child may be feeling more aggressive, even if not acting on those feelings. Examples would be increased threats of aggression to others, increased verbalization of aggression
  • difficulty focusing
    • this is difficult to assess when there are a lot of variables that change (for example, has your child started virtual learning, or more rigorous academics, or now has a teacher with a new teaching style? 
    • ask others (teachers, grandparents) if they've noticed any changes in focus
    • consider if your child can still focus on things they enjoy? 
  • loss of pleasure in activities they formerly enjoyed
    • again, we want to assess for patterns over time, not an isolated event
    • if swinging on the swings in the yard was their favorite activity and now doesn't seem enjoyable, that might be relevant. 
    • if they don't enjoy the swings because now they're really into beyblades and they're enjoying that instead, that is likely not indicative of a concern. 
  • increased headaches or stomach aches not related to a physical or medical concern
    • the child may not associate the physical complaint with the anxiety or depression
    • do these complaints persist when the child is doing an activity they enjoy? Or do they only occur when it is time for homework to start? 
  • suicidal ideation
    • if your child says that they want to hurt themselves or others, take their statement seriously. 
    • you can call the national suicide prevention hotline at 800-273-8255
  • below is an infographic to help you remember these signs. 
Picture
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    Leigh Ellen has been a child therapist for the past 15 years and is now sharing lots of fun and helpful ideas for parents here. 

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  • Home
  • MENU
    • E-courses >
      • Talking to Kids About Sex and Safety
      • Less Yelling
      • Positive Parenting for Behavior Change
    • gift cards
    • Parent Coaching
    • Expert Witness
  • About
    • Blog
  • Resources
    • Estate Planning
    • Travel
    • OT
    • Free Printables
    • Divorce