6 signs your child is mentally disturbed and needs help

With the surge in the level of anxiety and stress in the modern world and in light of the coronavirus pandemic, mental health discussions have received the attention it deserved for the longest of time. However, while talking about mental health disorders in adults are now being taken seriously and are being looked into with grave concerns, similar problems of anxiety and depression are being ignored in young children and teens.

Given that children are more vulnerable to various circumstances, it is more important to recognize their problems and provide them with the right solutions. Like an adult, a child too has emotions, feelings and an urge to express and put across their message.

Mental health is defined as the overall wellness one feels when he or she is able to collect their thoughts and regulate their feelings in the right way, without any feeling of distress and discomfort. Therefore, if a child is not in their element and finds it hard to convey their thoughts, it is likely that they too feel withdrawn and anxious.

Many things ranging from heightened mood swings to continuous gloom to a sense of alienation can indicate how your child is feeling and how disturbed he or she is on the inside. That said, here are some things that can tell you how your child may be mentally disturbed and sad.

While adults are more organized and verbally more competent, children do not have the ability to express through well-articulated words. That said, if your child seems to have bouts of anger and/or continues to show outbursts of emotions, it is time you address the situation and communicate with them. While trivial tantrums are understandable, extreme mood swings can signal grievous problems.

Children can go from being very happy to extremely gloomy. If that is a regular thing and fluctuates on the basis of your child's mood, then there is probably nothing to worry about. However, if your child remains to be sad for long periods of time and does not show any sign of improvement, then it is time you intervene and let them know you're there to help them.

For a child, family and friends are everything. But if they're mentally disturbed, it's most likely that they will self-isolate themselves and distance themselves from social interactions. Contrary to their usual nature, they will seem more withdrawn, which is why you must jump to their rescue and lend them a helping hand.

Besides the change in their attitude and their approach to people, if your child is disturbed, it's most likely to reflect in their school performance and extracurricular activities. They'll perform poorly and chances of receiving a complaint is high. However, instead of overwhelming your kid with various questions, give them a hear and listen to what they have to say. Maybe they'll open up to you, helping you understand the crux of the problem.

Anyone who is troubled by their thoughts or is anxious or stressed is most likely to suffer from insomnia, given that most of the hours go into overthinking. This may be the case with kids too. Their troubled minds will disrupt their pattern and you will notice that they find it difficult to sleep at their scheduled time.

One of the most serious indications of mental health issues in your child is when they constantly talk of violent scenarios, discuss self-harm or hurt themselves. This is when it is important that you communicate with them and also, consult a therapist. Do not let your child feel neglected at such times, nor should you let them feel any different. Treat them normally but also pay special attention to their behaviour.