Every parent wishes to ensure a secure and happy life for their offspring. They try their best to secure a good education, provide them with the healthiest food, and teach them essential human virtues. When a child gets hurt or experiences sickness, parents are quick to consult a doctor or a physician. But when a child shows signs of anxiety and depression, many parents are unsure of what to do.
Anxiety, depression, and mental stress is not something that should be taken lightly. In many countries like India, this situation is quite significant. More than 90 percent of the people in India have some mental disorder, but this issue is not even recognized as a problem. Until and unless the situation is not known, one cannot ensure a solution for the same.
The mental health of a person is essential for overall health and well-being. When a person is suffering from depression and stress, they get negative impacts on their quality of life. Mental- illness is not only prevalent among adults but students today are also susceptible to its harmful effects.
Students get traumatized because of stress, exam- anxiety, competition, workload due to assignments, bullying, conflicts, grief, etc. The teenage years, when the students go through transitions is another time when the student experience stress in the wake of hormonal changes and mood swings.
Often, a child may feel hesitant towards expressing their feelings to their parents. This is because a child is himself/ herself unaware of such a strange feeling. Therefore, parents need to continually screen their kid’s behavior and look out for the significant signs.
If parents are unable to cater to their child’s psychological needs, consulting a therapist can be a great option. Professional therapists are well- versed in analyzing the child’s behavior and providing them much- needed help.
Few signs that parents should take notice and engage in the help of a therapist:-
CHANGE IN EATING AND SLEEPING HABITS
If your teen’s sleeping and eating habits have modified drastically, then do not take it lightly or ignore it. Sleeping for extended periods or not sleeping at all is a red flag. Talk to your child and try to find the root of the problem. When stressed, a child may refrain from eating. If your kids are unresponsive towards your encouragement and confrontation, then you should look for the help of a qualified therapist.
SHOWING DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIORS
If your child engages in self-harm or self-mutilation, then it is a sign of significant danger. Such symptoms should never be ignored. A child is not very understanding of various situations. A common practice prevalent among teens is cutting themselves. Such destructive behavior can lead to severe consequences in the long run.
EXTREME DISAPPOINTMENT AND WORRY
If your child shows anxious behavior and gets quickly disappointed and worries, then it is a good sign to consult a therapist or a doctor. At a young age, a child is not supposed to feel anxious. It can stun their mental growth and also cause problems in their developmental process.
BAD BEHAVIOR
If a kid’s behavior and attitude are interfering with the family or causing trouble at school, something wrong is happening. Sometimes kids retaliate stressful situations by showing lousy behavior and acting out, talking bad, using bad language, etc. These behaviors and put your child in trouble. Hence you need to address it as soon as possible.
DISTANCING AND MISCOMMUNICATION
Isolating from friends and withdrawal from society is another sign that parents should look out for.
TALKS INVOLVING DEATHS AND SELF-HARM
If a child shows increases interest towards death, then the problem can become worse. It is common for the children to engage in questions regarding death and life after death, but over-involvement should be seen as a sign of danger.
HELP FROM THE EXPERTS
The situations, as mentioned above, can be nerve-wracking for the parents. They may suffer the consequences and get extremely worried about their kids. Here are some other situations that can affect the mental stature of a child:-
- Getting a severe illness disease.
- Parents are going for a divorce.
- Having problems communicating with siblings and other family members.
- Moving into a new place.
- Custody evaluations and court cases.
- Sexual abuses and harassment situations.
Children are innocent, and at a tender age, such adverse situations can affect them mentally. Parents should never shy away from getting professional help for their children and support their kids at all the possible times.