Does Your Child Need Help?

Childhood and adolescence are periods of development, and all children will experience challenges as they grow and transition into new life phases. It can sometimes be difficult for parents and other loved ones to determine if a child’s struggles are the result of a “growing phase” or if they could benefit from the support of a mental health professional.

The following list contains common indicators that your child may need additional support. For more information, or to discuss your child’s specific situation, please contact us.

Academic Difficulties

Struggles with reading, spelling, writing, and/or math
Struggles with peers and social relationships
Intellectual potential does not match academic performance
A marked difference or decline in performance at school
Difficulty following directions
Problems with memory and retaining information
Difficulty processing or organizing information
Inability to manage homework or meet deadlines
Problems with attention and staying focused in class

Emotional Difficulties

Sadness and hopelessness for no obvious reason
Withdrawal from friends, family, and other important relationships and activities
Frequently angry or irritable
Cries frequently or overreacts to typical experiences
Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or anxiety
Unable to come to terms with a loss
Fearful or having unexplained fears
Excessive concerns about physical problems or appearance
Frightened that his/her mind is controlled or is out of control
Worry about being harmed, hurting others, or doing something “bad”
Feeling life is too hard to handle

Behavioral Signs

Difficulty controlling or containing impulses
Inability to sit still or focus attention
Losing interest in things once enjoyed
Racing thoughts that are nearly too fast to follow
Unexplained changes in sleeping or eating patterns
Persistent nightmares
Avoiding friends or family; frequently wanting to be alone
Suicidal thoughts
Alcohol and other drug use
Cutting; self-harm
Engaging in physical fights
Eating excessive amounts of food and then purging; abusing laxatives; or restricting food intake
Unnecessary dieting and/or exercising obsessively
Engaging in risky, life threatening activities
Washing, cleaning, or performing certain routines numerous times per day