It is common for parents to dream big for their children and to do whatever it takes to support them. Knowing that journeying with their children can best express their support and love, many are even willing to put their personal aspirations aside to offer their child their undivided attention. Thus, it can be very painful and scary for parents to realize that their beloved child is encumbered with an emotional issue, diminishing their chance for a rewarding life and successful achievement of their dreams.

Regrettably, young children, even babies and toddlers, are not immune from emotional conditions. They are as vulnerable as adults. Unlike grownups, however, children cannot do anything to improve their conditions on their own. Your child needs you to help them. This is why it is important for you not to take unusual behaviors or manifestations for granted because they can be signs or symptoms of an emotional condition or a behavioral issue.

Why Should You Be Concerned

Aside from loving your child and wanting to help them reach for their star, there are other compelling reasons why you need to know when they need professional help. One, the manifestations of an emotional condition or behavioral issue can potentially interfere with your child’s everyday life. Two, many parents find it be difficult to recognize the signs and symptoms to look for. Without the recognition, you may not be able to promptly provide the understanding, support and help they need.

This leads to the third reason – undiagnosed, the condition will likely be untreated until the symptoms become serious or debilitating. Even when the symptoms remain undetected, there is no guarantee the signs will stay insignificant or eventually dissipate. There is always a big chance it can wreak havoc on your child when they become adults, making it difficult for them to keep relationships and hold a job.

The Conditions to Watch Out For

As a caring parent who wants to stay vigilant against dangers that may threaten your child’s life, health, dreams, and future, it also helps to be knowledgeable of the emotional conditions that can affect your child. Mayo Clinic shares this list of conditions – “anxiety disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), eating disorders, and mood disorders, and schizophrenia.”

Depending on the type of anxiety, it can make your child jittery, tense, or extremely afraid. ADHD can make them impulsive, restless and incapable of paying attention. ASD can set in very early, delaying your child’s developmental process. Eating conditions, mood disorders, and schizophrenia often appear when they are older.

PsychGuides’ list of behavioral disorders (BehaviorDisorder.org) offers this list – “anxiety disorders, disruptive behavioral disorders, dissociative disorders, emotional disorders, and pervasive developmental disorders.” One example is oppositional defiant disorder or ODD. It is characterized by irritability, hostility, and defiance. They can be deliberately unkind and exasperating, and they usually direct their defiant actions at authorities.

Know the Signs and Trust Your Instincts

You can’t just let your child be saddled by the symptoms that can affect their ability to focus during their learning activities in school, control their reactions and feelings, interact with others and be happy. For well-meaning parents, it isn’t only important to care. It is also critical that you know the signs and symptoms to pay attention to, so you will know when your child may need to see a therapist.

Some symptoms to pay attention to include mood swings, intense responses (tantrums, fast breathing, racing heartbeat, etc.), drastic changes in attitude and behavior, difficulty staying focused, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, and physical pains.

Confused or not understanding what’s happening, your child may also manifest their agitation, fear or sadness in unique ways (or ways different from an adult), such as clumsiness, anger or tantrums. These unique signs can mislead or make you doubtful. Trust your instincts. When in doubt, heed Gallaudet University’s suggestion to take a proactive action when the following symptoms are observed:

• Inappropriate actions or emotions under normal circumstances
• Learning difficulties that are not caused by another health factor
• Difficulty with interpersonal relationships, including relationships with teachers and peers
• A general feeling of unhappiness or depression
• Feelings of fear and anxiety related to personal or school matters

The Proactive Action to Take

If your child has an emotional condition, their symptoms must be assessed for the condition to be precisely diagnosed. This serves as the basis for the treatment options or plans. It will be to your child’s advantage to be assessed, diagnosed and treated as soon as possible to prevent the symptoms from getting worse. For a more accurate assessment, be sincere and thorough with the information you will share with the therapist. Do not let any road block hold you back. You are likely to feel better when you know you have a good therapist from Carolina Counseling Services – Sanford, NC.

Your child can’t survive the condition without your help, and you can’t endure this challenge better than with a capable therapist. It will not be weakness to ask for assistance from an expert. Seeking professional help and exploring treatment options from CCS is, in fact, a courageous, proactive and loving act. Then is no better way to support your child’s big dream or passion than by calling Carolina Counseling Services – Sanford, NC, now.

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