How do I know if my child’s problems are serious?
Not every problem is serious. In fact, many everyday stresses can cause changes in your child’s behavior. For example, the birth of a sibling may cause a child to temporarily act much younger than he or she is. It is important to be able to tell the difference between typical behavior changes and those associated with more serious problems. Pay special attention to behaviors that include:
Problems across a variety of settings, such as at school, at home, or with peers Changes in appetite or sleep Social withdrawal, or fearful behavior toward things your child normally is not afraid of Returning to behaviors more common in younger children, such as bed-wetting, for a long time Signs of being upset, such as sadness or tearfulness Signs of self-destructive behavior, such as head-banging, or a tendency to get hurt often Repeated thoughts of death.
Not every problem is serious. In fact, many everyday stresses can cause changes in your child’s behavior. For example, the birth of a sibling may cause a child to temporarily act much younger than he or she is. It is important to be able to tell the difference between typical behavior changes and those associated with more serious problems. Pay special attention to behaviors that include:
Problems across a variety of settings, such as at school, at home, or with peers Changes in appetite or sleep Social withdrawal, or fearful behavior toward things your child normally is not afraid of Returning to behaviors more common in younger children, such as bed-wetting, for a long time Signs of being upset, such as sadness or tearfulness Signs of self-destructive behavior, such as head-banging, or a tendency to get hurt often Repeated thoughts of death.
