|
Children’s Behavior Problems
When should you seek help?
Parents are often the first to
suspect that their child has a problem with emotions or behaviors,
but it is usually a difficult decision to seek the help of a
professional for these types of problems. Parents frequently blame
themselves and feel ashamed that their child has problems different
from his or her peers. Often sitting and talking calmly with your
child can be an effective way to resolve these problems. Let your
child talk openly about feelings. You may also decide to talk with
the child’s teachers, doctors, or other adults who know him or her
well.
There are also a number of signs
which may help you decide that your child or adolescent needs the
help of a mental health professional.
|
For younger children you
should consider the following as warning signs your child may
need help: |
- Frequent temper tantrums with little provocation
- Recurrent nightmares
- Often disobedient or aggressive for a period of 6 months
or longer
- A marked fall in school grades, or poor grades despite
your child putting in a lot of effort
- A lot of worry or anxiety, particularly about going to
school, going to sleep, or taking part in activities normal
for your child’s age
- Constant fidgeting or movement, or persistent
hyperactivity
|
|
Older children and
adolescents frequently show different warning signs
and symptoms such as: |
- Threats to run away or actually running away
- Self-injury or self-destructive behaviors, or threats to
hurt themselves or others
- Marked change in school performance
- Trouble coping with problems and daily challenges
- Marked changes in eating and/or sleeping habits
- Frequent outbursts of anger or aggression or threats of
aggression
- Abuse of drugs and/or alcohol
- Sexually acting out
- Depression or anxiety which markedly interferes with
daily activities
- Intense fear of becoming “fat” with no connection to
actual body weight, and/or restricting food or purging
(inducing vomiting)
- Strange thoughts and feelings, and/or unusual behaviors
|
These lists are not meant to be all-inclusive, but
to give parents an idea of the types of problems which would benefit
from professional help, such as that offered by a child/adolescent
psychologist or social worker.
|
