Children's Mental health problems age 3 to 11 years
Children can be affected by mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, and ADHD. It is important for parents to be aware of the signs of these problems and to support their children.
The three most common mental health problems in children are anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Anxiety is characterized by a lasting sadness or worry that can interfere with daily life. Depression is characterized by trouble sleeping or eating, as well as feeling hopeless about the future. And ADHD is a condition that makes it hard for a child to focus on things they are doing or maintain attention on tasks for long periods of time.
Parents should watch out for signs in their child that could indicate mental health problems such as trouble sleeping or eating, difficulty concentrating on tasks, and/or acting in ways that seem out of character for them. They should also provide support for their child who might be experiencing these difficulties.
Emotional and behaviour signs
Children are more vulnerable to mental health problems than adults and they are also less likely to know how to express them. So, it is important for parents and guardians to be aware of the signs that might indicate a problem.
- Lasting sadness or worry: Children who exhibit this sign may be struggling with depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder. They might have a difficult time concentrating in school or participating in social activities.
- Trouble sleeping or eating: This can be an indication of insomnia, anxiety, or depression. It can also point to an eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa.
- Problems at school: A child who has difficulty focusing on their studies might have ADHD or other learning disabilities such as dyslexia. They may also have trouble making friends if they have social anxiety disorder (SAD).
- Physical complaints: If your child complains about physical symptoms such as headaches and stomachaches without any other reason for them then they could be experiencing a migraine. Tiredness and fatigue: These are two signs that your child may be experiencing a migraine.
Physical signs
Physical signs of mental health problems in children are not always easy to detect. They may be more difficult to identify than the symptoms of a physical illness.
- Lasting sadness or worry
- Trouble sleeping or eating
- Problems with friends, school, or other activities that were once enjoyed
- Feeling sad or irritable for no reason
- Feeling like they don't care about anything
- Acting reckless and doing dangerous things without thinking about the consequences (e.g., running into traffic)
- The need for constant reassurance
- A lack of interest in activities that were once enjoyed
- Change in sleep patterns
- Increased anger and irritability
School and social signs
We can't always tell if a child is struggling with mental health issues, but there are signs that parents should look out for.
School and social signs are one of the most common signs of mental health problems in children. They include lasting sadness or worry, trouble sleeping or eating, and problems at school.
If you notice any of these symptoms in your child, it's important to talk to them about it and get professional help as soon as possible.
Signs of depression include:
- Depression is not just feeling sad or blue, but it can last for days and weeks.
- Changes in appetite and sleeping habits.
- Feeling helpless, hopelessness, or guilt over what they're experiencing.
- Having a lack of interest in activities they once loved such as playing sports or video games.
- Inability to focus on tasks that once mattered to them such as homework or school work.
Signs of anxiety:
- Anxiety is not just feeling worried or stressed, but it can last for days and weeks.
- The child may seem to have a shorter temper or angry outbursts.
- Inability to stay still and quiet, having trouble sleeping or eating.
- The child may be physically shaking or shaking the head rapidly
- Having a lack of interest in activities they once loved such as playing sports or video games.
Other signs include:
- Excessive crying and/or shows of emotion that is often inappropriate for the situation such as crying at times randomly, a tantrum, laughing when nothing is funny, or being overly happy.
- A change in their personality such as being withdrawn and hiding from family members due to fear or sadness .
- May have a sudden change in appetite such as a child who only wants to eat certain foods and won't eat other ones.
- Excessive sleeping, lethargy, and/or loss of interest.