Mental health issues are much harder to diagnose in children than in adults. This happens because children behave differently, can’t understand certain concepts, and have trouble expressing themselves. As a result, many children don’t get the help they need, and their mental health problems can progress into adulthood.
This prevents them from living fulfilling lives, creating meaningful relationships, and thriving in their careers. Here are some common signs of mental health issues in children that you should keep an eye out for.
Poor Progress In School
One of the most common signs of any underlying mental health issue is a performance decline in school. A lot of kids struggling with mental health problems find it difficult to study and learn. If your child’s progress in school is declining, it could indicate mental health problems. It’s better to talk with the school counselor and learn about your child’s school habits to understand what could be wrong.
Rude Or Aggressive Behaviors
Aggressiveness and rude behavior are commonly associated with poor mannerisms and upbringing. But a child can have these issues even when their home’s environment is good. Children who experience bullying often exhibit aggressive behaviors. If this isn’t handled properly, it can lead to severe mental health issues that are harder to tackle later in life. On the other hand, aggressive behavior also makes it harder for the child to develop social skills and make friends.
Constant Anxiousness
Just like adults, some children also have a lower threshold for stress, meaning they get stressed easily. This induces constant anxiousness, which can turn into other mental health issues if not controlled. These issues can increase if the child constantly moves houses, changes schools, and has trouble learning. That’s because it’s harder for the child to predict how situations will turn out, which spikes their anxiety.
Poor Social Skills
Not all children are social butterflies, but if a child has ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) or ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), they might have trouble developing social skills. This, combined with peer or parental pressure, can lead to anxiety and depression. If your child is exhibiting poor social skills or communication signs, it’s better to get them evaluated for ADHD or ASD to prevent any future issues and get them proper help.
Short Attention Span
Children usually have shorter attention spans, but when they can’t sit still, are restless all the time, and can’t concentrate for more than a few minutes, they might have mental health issues. Hyper anxiousness and restlessness are common signs of mental health issues in children. This happens if a child is always stressed out and has trouble relaxing. It’s important to get professional help before the issues progress further.
Find Mental Health Resources With Helping Miami
At Helping Miami, we offer several resources related to mental health issues in children and adults. We also help our readers find communities and initiatives to help their loved ones struggling with mental health. Besides that, we also list resources for autism, DUI traffic violations, immigrants, and education. So hurry up, check out our resources and read our blogs today!