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7 mental health warning signs to look out for in your children during the coronavirus pandemic, according to experts

Gabbi ShawMay 2, 2020, 02:49 IST
7 mental health warning signs to look out for in your children during the coronavirus pandemic, according to experts

Boredom is something to look out for.McCarthy/Express/Getty Images

  • We're all social distancing due to the coronavirus, and it's affecting our daily routines. But for children, this could be a traumatic time.
  • Insider spoke to mental health experts who identified warning signs that your child might not be coping.
  • For example, boredom, which might not seem like a big deal, could be a sign of depression.
  • Experts also advised to look out for changes in eating or sleeping habits.
  • Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

In these uncertain times, parents are figuring out how to balance working, childcare, and even home-schooling.

With so much going on, it might be easy to let some things slip through the cracks, especially when it comes to recognizing signs of stress and mental health issues.

Karen Gross, a psychological first aid provider, told Insider that COVID-19 and stay-at-home orders are leading to trauma symptoms in children, like dysregulation — "outbursts of anger, hostility, 'ants in one's pants,' throwing, yelling." But there are other, more subtle signs of mental health issues, too.

Insider spoke with experts, including counselors, therapists, and doctors, about what parents should be on the lookout for with their children's behaviors.

Here are seven signs that your child might be having trouble coping.

Read the original article on Insider

Anti-social behavior could be another sign of a larger issue.

Anti-social behavior could be another sign of a larger issue.
They need more human interaction. Antonio Guillem/Shutterstock

"If they're usually very social, now not wanting to speak to their friends or come out of their room. They may seem distracted or quieter than usual or combative and argumentative," said Baghdassarian.

Gross added, "Isolation can be separation from engagement, unwillingness to participate in family events and staying in one's room and not playing with others."

Of course, all our social interactions are limited, as we're confined to our homes. But many experts mentioned that trying to get your kids to interact virtually with their friends and family is a must.

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Look out for changes in eating patterns, too.

Look out for changes in eating patterns, too.
A picky eater. Steve Liss/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images

Dr. Nekeshia Hammond called "eating too little or too much" one of the red flags that parents should watch out for.

Healthline provided some suggestions to help encourage kids to eat, like limiting mealtime distractions, serving appropriate portions, eliminating mealtime stress, reducing snacks, and involving your children in meal preparation.

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Boredom can be a symptom of depression.

Boredom can be a symptom of depression.
Boredom. McCarthy/Express/Getty Images

A marked increase in apparent boredom can be a sign of larger issues, according to experts.

"Boredom can be a symptom of depression, so take it seriously. It could mean your child needs more activities, or it could mean something else is going on," Tammy Baghdassarian, executive director of Keystone Treatment, told Insider.

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Issues with insomnia and abnormal sleeping patterns could also suggest a larger issue.

Issues with insomnia and abnormal sleeping patterns could also suggest a larger issue.
Insomnia. New Africa/Shutterstock

Dr. Ajita Robinson, a therapist, identified "difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, and sleep quality" as potential red flags. "We are seeing youth and adults struggle with disrupted sleep schedules and quality of sleep," she said.

Michelle Nietert, a licensed professional counselor, added, "If they aren't getting sleep one night, that happens. If they are losing hours of sleep nightly, it's time to reach out for help."

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It's common for children to regress to earlier behaviors like bed-wetting or tantrums when they're under stress.

It's common for children to regress to earlier behaviors like bed-wetting or tantrums when they're under stress.
A child runs at home. fizkes/Shutterstock

Multiple experts mentioned regression as a potential warning sign. "Feeling scared is reflected in a child's anxiety, such as hiding under the covers or regressing to behavior from a younger age, like bed-wetting," Dr. Lieberman told Insider.

Therapist Kelly Oriard added, "Stress can cause regression in kids, it is to be expected (i.e., sleep regression, potty training, behavioral tantrums, food intake)."

She suggests "allowing and just supporting unless the regression takes a turn and becomes more extreme."

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In fact, any change in normal behaviors or patterns could be a symptom of other conditions.

In fact, any change in normal behaviors or patterns could be a symptom of other conditions.
A tantrum. Tim Graham/Getty Images

While this might sound vague, try to be aware of anything out of the ordinary.

"Some signs to look for in young children can be as subtle as them being more quiet or withdrawn than usual or in-your-face signs such as a marked increase in tantrums or defiance," licensed mental health counselor Jennifer Daffon told Insider.

"Parents may see their kids experiencing low frustration tolerance, increased conflict with siblings, and bigger mood swings. Pushing back when it comes to completing academic activities is also common as some kids aren't comfortable with distant learning and having parents assume a role that's been reserved for school."

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If your child is having difficulty concentrating, it might be a red flag.

If your child is having difficulty concentrating, it might be a red flag.
Kids trying to do work. Lars Baron/Getty Images

"You may find children have a very short attention span for things which may normally have been mitigated for by their schooling environment that offers more stimulation," Shae Vian, a registered psychologist and founder of Learndojo, told Insider. "They may struggle to focus or stick to tasks, often abandoning it or displaying signs they are unable to listen or carry out instructions."

Dr. Carole Lieberman, a psychiatrist, added, "Try to get your child to express their feelings, and to ask you questions that may be bothering them. Get them involved in arts and crafts, playing board games or dancing as a family, for example."

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