As adults, we often find our children’s behavior incomprehensible. It’s very difficult to draw a line between normal and abnormal behavior. So how do we know if our child needs therapy? These are some signs that should get the attention of any parent.
Today, we would like to help you understand if your little one needs the help of a therapist.
1. Overreacting
Their social discomfort leads them to lose control of many situations, resulting in disruptive behavior. A child psychologist can help them understand their reactions and realize that the environment they are in is in no way harmful to them.
2. Constant anger
3. Persistent sadness and nervousness
At young ages, children realize their parents are trying help and that tends to calm them down. The conflict appears at the moment when their concerns are persistent and if they revolve around obsessions. This could be an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which causes children to experience unnecessary obsessions (fears) and compulsions (behaviors).
4. A sudden and unexplained drop in grades
A sudden drop in grades can be a cause for concern. Grades tend to reflect children’s emotional stability, rather than their academic performance, especially when it comes to the little ones.
Sometimes it could be the consequences of bullying, but with a 5 or 6-year-old child, the case may be more personal. It’s better to consult the teacher in your class first and, from this, evaluate the possibility of visiting a psychologist.
5. They prefer to be alone
But, there are many other children who prefer to talk less or simply play alone at school. Asking the child’s teacher if they’ve noticed this peculiarity is the first step to take. These little signs may be opening a very common door for young people to social anxiety.
6. An inability to concentrate
Many children tend to become daydreamers, but when all is said and done, they still manage to do their homework on time and learn to write and speak correctly.
You should pay attention if their degree of concentration drops a lot, to the point that the child cannot sit still, gets distracted easily, or has a hard time studying. A therapist can figure out if it’s a case of dyslexia or ADHD in just a couple of sessions.
7. Obsessions and compulsions
8. Sudden changes in sleep patterns
The relationship between physical and emotional development and sleep quality is crucial. Not getting enough sleep in an early age can affect the development of the brain and, with it, the daily activities of the child. If you had previously set sleep schedules at home and the child begins to have difficulty sleeping, has insomnia, or is constantly fatigued, it’s essential to pay a visit to a therapist.
Have you noticed any of these signs in your child? Do you know someone who may find this information useful? We would be glad to hear from you in the comments!
