Many families don’t know what signs or symptoms to look for regarding their child’s mental health. DoctorsCare has information on what you should be aware of
Roughly one in five children in the US show signs or symptoms of a mental health disorder every year; however, nearly 80% of them will not get the help they need. So what are some warning signs you can look for?
- Outbursts or extreme irritability
- Drastic changes in their mood, personality, or behavior
- Persistent sadness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Constant worry or anxiety
- Hyperactivity or fidgeting
- Changes in their eating habits leading to weight loss
- Withdrawing from or avoiding social interactions
- Difficulty concentrating
- Avoiding or missing school
- Hurting themself or talking about hurting themselves
- Talking about suicide or death
Symptoms can start in early childhood or teenage years. Some common mental disorders found in children are
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Anxiety (worries or fears)
- Behavior disorders
- Eating disorders
- Depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Schizophrenia (hallucinations, delusions, or disordered thinking and behaviors) which often appears in the late teen years through the 20s.
What should you do if you see any of these signs or symptoms? Take them to their doctor, who may recommend they be evaluated by a specialist such as a clinical social worker, psychologist, psychiatrist, or psychiatric nurse. If your child is diagnosed with one of these disorders, take the time to learn about the illness, enroll in parent training programs designed to help manage these disorders, seek ways to relax and have fun with your child, and learn how to respond to your child during spouts of difficult behavior.
At DoctorsCare, our providers are specially trained in Urgent Care and Emergency Medicine. Visit one of our two conveniently located offices in Clarksville. We accept walk-in patients of all ages during all hours of operation. No appointment is necessary! Walk-in, feel better!