Mental health in children can be extremely difficult for parents to monitor, especially in the early stages. Although it’s more common for adults to be diagnosed with a mental health condition, it can also present itself in very small children. The only difference is that parents may bypass the obvious warning signs as it can be difficult to distinguish between normal and dysfunctional patterns of behavior.
With that being said, parents should never blame themselves. Children often lack the ability to express their feelings and communicate the nature of the problem, which is often why childhood mental health issues can be completely overlooked. Children can suffer from an array of mental health conditions including anxiety, depression and eating disorders; however, it’s all about spotting the signs early enough to pinpoint the problem and seek the right kind of help.
Below are three warning signs that parents can look out for: