**Signs That a Child May Be Experiencing Psychological Difficulties: What Parents Need to Know! | Safe and Sound**
How can parents differentiate when their child is just going through a natural psychological development phase and when they are really having problems? In fact, many children are silently facing many problems without knowing how to express them. If parents do not recognize the warning signs early, psychological problems can seriously affect their child's mental health. This article will help parents understand the signs to pay attention to and have ways to support their children at the right time and in the right way.
Nguyen Thi Mai Anh | Bachelor of Psychology - Applied mental health care Safe and Sound
Institute of Medical Technology Applications
1. Signs that children have psychological problems
Signs of mental health problems can vary from child to child, depending on their age, personality, and living situation. However, in general, some common symptoms include noticeable changes in mood, behavior, sleep, eating, or academic performance. Here are some important warning signs that parents should be aware of:
Signs of children with psychological problems that parents should pay attention to
1.1. Behavioral signs
- Sudden change in routine
One of the most noticeable behavioral signs of a child with a mental health problem is an unusual change in daily routine. The child may sleep too much or have trouble sleeping, eat irregularly, be lazy or become irritable when having to follow a previous routine. These changes may be a psychological reaction to prolonged pressure or stress that the child does not yet know how to express verbally.
- Become stubborn, rebellious, or unusually obedient
When children show signs of psychological instability, their behavior often changes in an extreme direction. Some children become stubborn, easily angered, and strongly resist adults. This is how they react to stress and fatigue in their studies, family, or relationships. On the contrary, some children suddenly become too obedient, absolutely obedient, and do not dare to express their personal opinions. This seems positive, but in fact, it can stem from fear or long-term inhibition. Such changes should not be taken lightly.
- Tend to avoid relatives or friends
According to psychologists, if a child suddenly becomes withdrawn, does not want to talk to relatives, avoids friends or refuses to participate in social activities that they used to enjoy, this is one of the warning signs of psychological problems. Children may feel that no one understands them, are insecure or have low self-esteem. If this condition persists, parents should consider taking their child to see a specialist for proper assessment and support, to avoid long-term negative effects.
1.2. Emotional signs
- Prolonged sadness, crying for no apparent reason
Children sometimes experience sadness and disappointment like adults. However, if children are often sad, emotional, and cry easily without a clear cause, this may be a sign of an underlying psychological problem. These symptoms may stem from school stress, family pressure, or a feeling of loneliness and lack of understanding. When negative emotions persist without being released, children are prone to fatigue, exhaustion, and even depression.
- Excessive anxiety and stress
Psychologists recommend that if children are often anxious and overly fearful of everyday situations, such as fear of going to school, fear of speaking in front of the class, or always thinking about bad things that will happen, this is a sign that the child is having psychological problems. When the symptoms of anxiety and stress are beyond control, parents should seek psychological advice and timely support for their children.
- Easily angered or irritable
Children often lose their temper, get angry easily, and get angry just because of small things. These reactions are not "spoiled" or "difficult" but can come from prolonged stress, fatigue or frustration that is not relieved. Children feel frustrated but do not know how to express it, so they react with anger. If this behavior is repeated frequently, parents need to observe carefully to identify early psychological problems inside.
See more: Are irritable and hot-tempered children signs of mental illness?
1.3. Physical signs
- Sleeping too much, feeling sleepy during the day, or sleeping too little
Sleep disorders in children, such as sleeping too much, insomnia, or feeling sleepy during the day, can be signs that the child is having psychological problems. When children are stressed, anxious, or going through major changes, their sleep cycle is easily disrupted. Prolonged lack of sleep makes children tired, difficult to concentrate, have poor memory, and easily irritable, while sleeping too much is a way to avoid negative emotions. If the condition does not improve after adjusting the lifestyle, parents should consider taking the child to see a psychologist for proper support.
- Picky eater or big eater
Unusual changes in eating habits such as excessive pickiness or binge eating reflect psychological disorders in children. Some children eat very little due to anxiety or boredom, while others turn to food as a way to relieve stress. These changes not only affect physical health but also warn of deeper psychological damage.
- Often complain of headaches and stomachaches without a clear cause
Children sometimes complain of symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, nausea, etc., but when medical examinations are performed, no specific cause is found. This may stem from psychological problems that the child is experiencing. When children often complain of pain without a clear cause, parents should not just stop at giving medicine but also consider psychological factors.
1.4. Signs of learning and social relationships
- Academic performance declined significantly.
If your child suddenly loses concentration or shows a significant decline in academic performance, parents should not simply blame it on laziness or lack of effort. In many cases, this is a sign that the child is having psychological problems. The child's negative emotions affect his or her ability to concentrate, remember, and motivate him or her to learn. The child may also be under pressure from the school environment or have difficulty in relationships with friends and teachers.
- Don't want to go to school, afraid to communicate with friends.
When children constantly find ways to avoid going to school, make excuses for being sick or show fear when communicating, it is highly likely that they are experiencing a psychological crisis. In addition, not liking to play with other children or having difficulty making friends are also signs that parents should not ignore. Children may feel stressed, tired in the social environment, or not confident enough to integrate. Prolonged conditions will greatly affect the development of communication skills as well as the child's emotions in the future.
2. What should parents do when their children show signs of psychological problems?
- Observe carefully and record any abnormalities in the child.
When parents suspect that their child is having a mental health problem, they can start by keeping a daily behavior diary for one to two weeks. This will help identify any unusual signs and provide specific information to a mental health professional if needed. The diary should include things like: how the behavior changes, what time of day it occurs, how long it lasts, how often it occurs, what happens before and after the behavior, and whether the child is experiencing any stress or fatigue.
Parents should pay attention to their children's abnormalities.
- Communicate with children gently and non-judgmentally.
If you notice any unusual psychological symptoms in your child, it is important that you remain calm, understanding and non-judgmental. Harsh questioning, scolding or forcing your child to “be normal” will only make them more withdrawn. Parents can take the initiative to speak up, talk with a gentle, patient and respectful attitude to help their child feel understood. Sometimes, just listening is enough to make your child feel secure. If your child does not want to talk right away, give them time and make sure they know they can share at any time.
- Seek support when needed
Parents should work with teachers and schools to detect and intervene early on any unusual signs in their children. Schools can provide information about children's behavior in the school environment, where signs such as lack of concentration, fear of communication, or stress and fatigue are more easily recognized.
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In cases where children show signs of psychological problems lasting for two weeks or more, especially avoidance, withdrawal, or serious manifestations such as talking about self-harm, suicide or planning to do so, parents should absolutely not be subjective. These are clear warning signs of serious psychological problems that children are facing. In this case, it is necessary to seek a psychologist. Experts will help assess the child's psychological condition accurately and provide appropriate intervention directions, thereby helping children escape from prolonged stress and fatigue and support psychological recovery safely.
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