As a parent, you know your child better than anyone, so you will likely be the first to notice any changes in mood, temperament, or behavior in your child. Dr. Haranin tells us that, “There can be a wide array of signs and symptoms that may indicate concern for mental health conditions; however, one of the most important things to be aware of as a parent is that noticing a change in how your child functions and interacts with the world on a daily basis can be a warning sign.” She and Dr. Stutman share some signs we can look for:
Dr. Matt Biel, chief of child and adolescent psychiatry at Georgetown University Medical Center, adds, “Don't assume what your kids are anxious about. They may be anxious about what you're anxious about. They may not, so it's worth asking and finding out. It's also worth looking for other manifestations of anxiety. Oftentimes for kids who have OCD or anxiety, what looks like anger or irritability is actually anxiety. So if kids are tantruming more and melting down more, grumpy, it may be because there's a lot of anxiety sort of percolating below the surface. So inquire about that.”
What about younger children? Mental health affects kids of all ages, but age can be a factor in identifying symptoms and addressing them. It may be more difficult to identify the signs in younger children because children are constantly moving through changes in development, and they may not be able to explain how they feel or why they are behaving a certain way. Your child's provider or mental health specialist may wait to make a diagnosis if your child is younger, or they may change or refine a diagnosis over time.
For more information, see our article Mental Health for Kids with Disabilities 101.
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