Signs Your Child Should See a Therapist

One of the hardest things for a parent is having a child who is struggling emotionally or mentally. If you have a child who is exhibiting any of the following signs, they may need to see a therapist or child psychologist. There are a lot of therapies available, from art therapy to cognitive behavioral therapy. Here are some signs it is time to consider therapy for your child.

They Are Having Increased Difficulty in School

If your child was previously very good at school, always attending class, behaved well, and repeatedly completing homework assignments, then it is easy to tell when their schoolwork declines. When it happens gradually, it could just be that your child is going through a phase or perhaps it is just one subject that is the problem. But look for signs that it is a more serious problem, such as getting calls from the teacher about your child's behavior, or having them spend a lot of time alone in their room, even though they don't complete their homework and their grades start dropping.

They Have Extreme Emotions

Extreme emotions when they come on suddenly and don't seem to have any real cause, can often be a sign of your child struggling and needing some professional help. These extreme emotions may be extreme sadness, hopelessness, and signs of depression. They might also be anxiety and fear, where your child seems to be worried about anything and everything. On the other end of the spectrum, it could be feelings of extreme anger and overreacting to everything. These are often signs of mental health disorders that need to be treated by a therapist or counselor.

Physical Ailments Without a Medical Cause

Pay close attention to anything your child complains about when it is a physical ailment. For example, if your child seems to get a lot of headaches or stomach aches, but their pediatrician can't find anything wrong with them, it might be a mental issue. Your child may be struggling with severe anxiety, which is then turning into a stomach ache from all those anxious feelings. This is a good reason to see a therapist.

Not only should you pay attention to signs with your child's mood and behavior, but listen to what they tell you. If they suddenly start talking about death or being hopeless, regardless of their age, this could be a sign of chronic depression. They should speak to a child psychologist if this is the case. Resources like NeuroHealth Arlington Heights can help.