It’s often easy to tell when your child is tired or hungry, but it isn’t always as easy to tell what your child is feeling or thinking. Good mental health is important for children to be able to socialize, learn, and feel confident in who they are. Here at TLC Pediatrics, we incorporate mental health screening and evaluation into our routine well visits, in order to help families identify and manage mental health concerns promptly.
Depression
While it’s normal for kids to feel sad, down, or frustrated at times, it’s also important to recognize when these could be signs of depression. Yes, kids can deal with depression, too. While symptoms will vary some of the most common ones include,
- A decrease or increase in appetite
- Sleeping more or less than usual
- Withdrawing from social interactions
- Feeling sad or hopeless
- Low energy
- Tearfulness
- Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Physical ailments such as frequent stomachaches or headaches
- Trouble focusing
If these symptoms last for more than two weeks and interfere with your child’s school, home, and social life then it’s time to talk with our pediatricians.
Anxiety
It’s natural for kids to feel nervous when they have to give a big presentation in front of the class or when visiting the dentist’s office; however, if your child is regularly fearful, anxious, worried, or afraid these could be telltale signs of anxiety. Sometimes it isn’t always easy to spot anxiety.
In fact, some children may become irritable and angry as opposed to showing the typical symptoms we associate with anxiety. If your child’s anxiety is getting to them or holding them back, TLC Pediatrics can help provide resources and management of symptoms.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders in young children may sound surprising but they can occur in children under 12, as well as tween and teens. Eating disorders can be inherited, which means that if a parent or sibling has dealt with an eating disorder a child is significantly more likely to develop one.
Some signs of an eating disorder include,
- Worry or concerns about their body image
- Avoiding eating
- Reducing how much they eat
- Weight loss
- Slow growth and development
- Fear of stomach aches
If you’re concerned about eating habits in your child, this is something that you can and should bring up with your provider right away. We can recommend therapy and other options to help improve your child’s relationship with food.
Your child’s mental health is as important as their physical health. If your child is showing signs of depression, anxiety, or an eating disorder, call TLC Pediatrics in Norwalk, CT, at (203) 855-7551.