Child Mental Health: When a Change in Behavior Is More Than a Phase

Catching mental illness in children early matters. Once it develops, it becomes a regular part of the child's behavior — and harder to treat. But it isn't always easy to tell when a child has a serious problem.

Everyday stress can change how a child behaves. A new brother or sister or a new school, for example, may make a child act out for a while.

Warning signs of something more serious

• problems in more than one setting — at school, at home, with friends;
• changes in appetite or sleep;
• pulling away from others, or new fears of things that didn't used to frighten them;
• going back to behavior typical of younger children, such as bedwetting;
• signs of being upset, such as sadness or tearfulness;
• signs of self-destructive behavior, such as head-banging or suddenly getting hurt often;
• repeated thoughts of death.

Diagnosis and treatment

A doctor or mental health specialist looks at the child's signs and symptoms, medical history and family history. Treatment includes medicines and talk therapy.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org, to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Sources

Based on the MedlinePlus health topic "Child Mental Health," National Library of Medicine, drawing on the National Institute of Mental Health; a work of the United States government in the public domain.