Children
It’s normal for children to have emotional ups and downs, troubles with friendships, and school problems from time to time. These normal developmental challenges are part of the learning process. If you’re noticing any of the following issues, it may be time to have your child talk with a professional:
- Has problems in multiple areas: family, academic, social, etc.
- Expresses feeling bad, or less confident about themselves
- Demonstrates excessive worry about the future
- Expresses hopelessness
- Withdraws from family or activities
- Significant changes in eating and sleep habits
- Repetitive self-destructive behaviors such as skin-picking, hair pulling
- Talks about, or engages in, self-harm
- Talks about not being here anymore, or how no one would miss them if they were gone
- Talks about suicide
Teens
The teen years can be isolating and challenging for both parents and their teens. The recent pandemic has only added to those challenges as online learning and more remote lifestyle lead to feelings of isolation.
If your teen is displaying some of these concerning behaviors you may want to consider seeking therapy:
- Self-isolation: changing friendships, withdrawing from social interactions, becoming “shut down” or not engaging in conversation with those around them, quitting a sport or not attending school.
- Low mood/affect: Issues with self-concept, identity, low self-esteem, etc., change in appearance/hygiene/clothing, change in eating habits
- Deceiving: Lying, stealing, engaging in risky or impulsive behaviors
If your teen is going through a difficult time right now, speaking with a mental health expert can help. Call Envision Therapy today to learn how we can help you and your teen to lives the life you both envision.