When to See a Child Psychologist

 When to See a Child Psychologist

You might have been seeing your child struggling with some mental health issues for some time. However, you might not know the cause of disturbance in their mental health and also if there is a need to see a child psychologist. In such a case, there are some key indicators that you need to look for carefully in your child’s behavior to determine if it is time to visit a child counselor.

Child’s Behaviors to Look For

Below are the behaviors you need to look for closely to determine if your child needs a psychologist’s help.

 Social Withdrawal

One of the most noticeable signs of a child experiencing mental distress is social withdrawal. The desire for social company lessens considerably, and the child becomes intolerable about having anyone around. Social withdrawal occurs due to negative thoughts and feelings, which grow worse due to loneliness. Hence, social withdrawal is a strong indicator that your child needs a psychologist’s help.

Increased Degree of Irritation and Anger

Everyone experiences anger, irritation, etc., and children are no exception. They, too, feel these emotions. However, things get serious when a child begins experiencing an unusual degree of anger. This has to be taken more seriously in the case of a child who never displayed anger as intensely as they have been doing lately. 

Due to these increased negative emotions, the child can harm both others as well as their own self. It is high time to visit a child psychologist if your child has become quick to feel irritated or angry. 

Inability to Concentrate

Affected concentration, especially over long periods, is one of the signs of some underlying mental health conditions. Some of the reasons for poor concentration are excessive thoughts and feelings, feelings of hopelessness and sadness, worry, anxiety, etc. If you see your child finding concentrating difficult, it could be a sign that you need to see a child psychologist.

Excessive Worrying

Lately, has your child been worrying excessively? Do they feel insecure without any reason? If yes, it could be a potential sign of some mental problem.

Loss of Interest in Pleasurable Activities

Losing interest in pleasurable activities is one of the key signs of affected mental health. If your child has lost interest in activities that they earlier used to enjoy, it is a potential sign that they are experiencing depression. Poor mental health kills the desire to engage in anything that one finds enjoyable. Don’t wait any longer. Immediately take your child to a counselor if you see these symptoms in their behavior.

Self-Harming Behavior

An absolute red flag! If a child is engaging in self-destructive behavior (could be even to the point of suicide), immediately seek professional psychological assistance. Self-harming behavior is the result of low self-esteem, hopelessness, negative thoughts and feelings, and the like.

Excessive or Too Little Sleep

Sleep disturbance is one of the most visible symptoms of a psychological condition. The sleep pattern of someone who is mentally not well is quite unstable and unpredictable. They will sleep either too much or too little. If your child has been sleeping excessively or too little, it is a sign that they need to see a psychologist.

Final Words

Every child has a unique biology, grows up in a unique environment, and has their own growth and development journey. While some children grow up healthily, some children experience challenges (mental health challenges here). These mental health problems can arise due to factors like family history, home environment, traumatic experiences, and even hormonal changes.    

In any case, it is extremely important to catch the signs of a mental health condition at the right time, as it is crucial to determine whether a child needs counseling or not. Personal Online Therapy is the best platform if you are seeking an online child psychologist. Connect with some of the greatest licensed child psychologists there and help your child bloom mentally once again.