How to know when your child may need help

Does your child have problem behaviour that you can’t help but worry about.

Children have different emotional needs. They can encounter periods of moodiness that can affect how they interact with friends, family, schoolwork, and other aspects of their life. If these turbulent emotions are left unchecked, your child may struggle with unhealthy coping mechanisms that can follow them to adulthood.

If you’re unsure about how to approach the delicate position your child is in, here are some ways to know whether your child may need help. 

Some struggles are perfectly normal

Understand that some problems are normal and just minor setbacks. It’s important to be able to differentiate between healthy and unhealthy behaviour though. In cases like this, you’re always free to consult a professional if you want a clearer picture about your child’s behaviour.

As toddlers transition to kids, and as kids transition to adolescents, they will experience key development milestones that are vital to their growth.

These experiences may expose your kids to anxiety, difficulties, and emotional issues. But these bumps are usually temporary and can help open up new pathways for your children to build new skills and mature. Be by your children’s side during these times and take these challenges on together with sensitivity and patience.

Know how often their problem behaviour occurs

Have they just recently been experiencing sadness, anger, despondence, anxiety or other problem behaviour? Do they happen over a long period? Or does it just occur only for a short while?

Identifying the intensity and duration of the problem behaviour is something to keep in mind when figuring out whether your child needs professional help. Determining whether your child is experiencing normal, one-off behaviour or a pattern of child behavioural problems is often key in identifying a disorder. 

Consider their age relative to their behaviours

Some children can develop a personality as early as 3 to 5 years old that can foreshadow how they interact with the world around them. They will shuffle between demanding and being cooperative since this is the age is where they start exhibiting self-expression and self-control. 

Remember though, that each child is unique and will blossom to their person naturally on their own time. Be sensitive and responsive to your child’s unique behaviour and their individual needs and strengths too. Even siblings can have vastly different behaviour patterns and dynamics, so healthily foster their different sides by encouraging play and allowing them to flourish as their own person.

If their behaviours interfere with their personal life

Does your child disrupt family and sibling time, promoting conflict at home? Does it cause him difficulty in school — with his peers, schoolwork, or teachers?

The biggest determinant of whether your child needs help is whether their behaviours interfere with them doing age-appropriate things. If your child fails to show emotions, or enjoy age-appropriate things, or listen to their teachers, consider finding professional help.

Significant changes in appetite and sleep habits

Does your child’s mood and temperament affect their basic bodily needs, like sleeping and eating a healthy diet?

These symptoms could point to more serious symptoms that may require professional treatment. If signs of appetite loss and having difficulty sleeping persist, even if there’s no visible reason behind it, consult professionals for a full evaluation.

Low self-confidence, guilt, and feeling bad about themselves

Is your child exhibiting signs of low confidence in himself/herself?

Low self-confidence could come from multiple sources — peers, school, pressure, and expectations. In the worst cases, it can lead to anxiety, stress, loneliness, and depression, which could affect the development of your child in the long term. It could prevent them from reaching their full potential, for instance, and interfere with them from focusing on a goal in life.

Expresses hopelessness

If your child’s sadness interferes with their daily lives, they may be exhibiting some signs of depression. Depression is a persistent form of sadness that negatively affects how your child feels. Here are some other common symptoms of depression:

• Feeling of worthlessness
• Trouble concentrating
• Fatigue or low energy
• Vocal outbursts
• Social withdrawal
• Anger

If your child exhibits any symptoms above, trained medical practitioners and psychologists can help bring your child in the right direction.

Above all, you know your child best. If you feel that there’s something not quite right, call professional help to get a clearer picture.