There are many reasons that your child might need therapy. Perhaps, you and your spouse have divorced. Maybe your child has been through a traumatic event in school. Life experiences can cause the need for a child to receive therapy. In some cases, a mental illness may be in play. You’ll know if your son or daughter needs it by the signs that he or she displays. Here are some signs your child needs therapy and how to help:
1. Mood Swings
Mood swings are an indication that something is going on either hormonally or mentally. A mood swing is an abrupt change from one extreme to the other. For example, your child might wake up happy and then swing into a fit of rage for no apparent reason. He or she may also swing from happiness to extreme sadness or vice versa. It’s okay for a person to have a bad day or be in a bad mood. However, it should concern you if you see it happen more than a few times in the same day or week.
2. Isolation
Isolation is a huge indication that something is going amiss with your child. This is especially true if your child used to be outgoing and extroverted. Isolation by itself can be a symptom of many underlying issues. It could be something as simple as being embarrassed about puberty and some of the changes that occur in the body. Your child could also be hiding out and moping because of a recent breakup. In the worst cases, a medical condition could be causing the behavior. This could be one of the signs your child needs therapy.
As the parent, you have to try to investigate the matter. The first step to take is to try to get the information from the source. Of course, you should always do it lovingly and compassionately. Simply ask your child if there’s a reason why he or she is spending so much time in the room and not mingling with the rest of the family. Maybe you’ll get a straight answer. Watch out for extreme defensiveness or angry responses. Those behaviors will alert you as to whether something more serious is going on. Your son or daughter could be dealing with complex problems silently. Therefore, you must exercise the highest level of compassion at all times.
3. Changes in Sleeping Habits
Your child might need therapy services if you notice changes in his or her sleeping habits. A child who sleeps for too many hours during the day and night could be experiencing symptoms of depression. A child who doesn’t get enough sleep could be suffering from various disorders such as anxiety, bipolar, or something else. The problem could also be that he or she is stressing over something that happened in another area of life. The worry could be preventing your child from getting sleep.
4. Violent Acts
You might notice that your child engages in violent acts for no explainable reason. For example, your son or daughter might harm your pets or harm a younger sibling. This may be due to an experience that your child had in school with a bully. It may also be the result of domestic violence of which you were unaware. In some cases, a mental illness can give a child an urge to perform destructive actions. This is most likely one of the signs your child needs therapy.
You should try to talk to your child about the behavior the moment you notice it. However, you’ll also want to avoid embarrassing your child. Take him or her into a quiet space where only the two of you can talk. Explain that you noticed some unusually violent behaviors and ask your child what prompted the actions. He or she will feel comfortable telling you if there’s a sense of trust there. Therefore, you have to be careful not to scare the child or be judgmental during the chat.
Get Help for Your Child ASAP
You will need to get down to the bottom of the situation if you notice any of the above symptoms occurring in your child. You can help by finding a therapist and looking into in-home pediatric therapy in Florida or in your respective area to make your child more comfortable. Remember to be supportive of your child and make sure they know there is nothing wrong with them, and that you are there for them no matter what. Reassuring your child will help them feel more comfortable opening up to both you and the therapist.
