Does your Child Need to See a Therapist?
Parenting can be a roller coaster of a ride. As a parent, you’re there for all the tantrums, the proud smiles, the hugs, as well as the arguments. As these behaviors fluctuate with age, so do your worries over time. What’s considered typical behavior for a young child may become a sign of concern if it’s still demonstrated as a teenager. Over time, it become more challenging to keep up with your child’s evolving need. How do you help when you see your child struggling emotionally? When is it time to seek help from a therapist? Here are some signs and tips to consider…
Signs of concern -
Children, just like adults, will have their emotional ups and downs. Periods of irritability or moodiness can be normal, but other signs could indicate that outside intervention may be warranted. Here are some potential signs:
Social changes - your child suddenly withdraws from peers and no longer engages in activities that they once enjoyed.
Significant academic or behavioral changes in school - this could be grades dropping drastically or getting into physical fights at school.
Statements or actions of self-harm. Making statements like “I want to die” or cutting behaviors are signs of emotional distress and unhealthy coping.
Noticeable changes in their daily life skills - this can be their sleep or eating patterns and/or not keeping up with physical hygiene.
Extreme feelings of irritability, sadness, or worry - these can manifest in many different ways (i.e., tantrums, crying, constant need for reassurance). These can be concerning particularly if they are occurring over an extended period of time and/or affecting multiple areas of your child’s life.
Frequent complaints of unexplained physical ailments such as stomach ache or headache should be checked by your physician, but they may also be a response to mental or emotional stress in some children.
Significant life events
Have there been any significant life changes? These can emotionally disrupt any person, let alone a child who is still finding their way. Examples of significant life events can be:
Loss of loved one
Moving to a new town and/or new school
A parent's divorce
A new sibling
Health changes in the family
Bullying
If any of these events are present, keep a close eye on how your child is reacting. Behavioral changes and emotional outbursts to these are normal; it can take time for a person to adjust. However, if these changes seem to worsen over time or if they do not improve, then seeking out a therapist can be helpful. Also, remember to trust your instincts. You know your child the best; so if your gut feeling is that there is something wrong, then listen to it and seek help.
The importance of therapy -
Although many people struggle with mental health problems at one time or another, the negative stigma surrounding mental health can dissuade some people from seeking professional help. However, try looking at emotional struggles as you would view physical ailments. If you had a bad cold that kept getting worse, you would go see a doctor. The same is true for your emotional health and that of your children. Teaching children skills to handle emotional stress is an important tool—just as medicine is for the body.
If you are still unsure about whether your child needs to see a therapist, don’t worry! Inquiring about help never means you are locked into seeing a therapist. Consider expressing your concerns with a mental health professional so that you can make an informed choice about whether now is the right time for therapy.