When you’re raising a child, you’re bound to experience temper tantrums, sadness, attachment, shyness, and many other unpredictable behaviors. As a result, it can be difficult for a parent to know what is standard behavior or a mental health concern. In cases of mental illness, the specialists at Lincoln Psychiatric Group say it’s critical to seek professional assistance to improve the child’s quality of life. To help tell the difference, this psychiatry clinic in Lincoln, Nebraska, highlights a few key warning signs.

As you monitor your child’s patterns and habits, you’ll want to pay attention to any issues that involve:

• Consistent Problems With Mood: Although a child can display extreme moods — such as sadness or anxiety — these will typically subside or change in a relatively short amount of time. However, when temperaments are consistently present for weeks or months, mental health may be the cause. For example, if a child is consistently unexcited or lacks interest, they may have depression. Or if they are continuously hyperactive, an attention deficit disorder could be present.    
• Changes in Physical Health: Many times, mental health conditions can affect a person’s physical health and behaviors. For example, a teenager with an eating disorder may experience unusual changes in weight, and younger children who have elimination issues may struggle to use the bathroom correctly. Depressed youth can also experience dramatic shifts in sleep patterns.
• Disruptive or Harmful Behaviors: One of the most notable signs of mental illness in children is when their behaviors increase the risk of self-harm or harm to others. Self-harm and substance abuse, for instance, are major warning signs a child may be severely depressed or suicidal. If you notice these behaviors, it is crucial you speak to a psychologist or psychiatrist for further evaluation.

Although mental health problems in kids can be alarming for parents, Lincoln Psychiatric Group notes there are many treatments — such as therapy and medications — that can help. Offering in-depth psychiatric evaluations, this Lincoln clinic can help pinpoint psychological disorders in children and offer guidance to minimize their effects. To schedule a consultation with a trusted psychiatrist, contact the office at (402) 476-7557.