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According to WebMD, nearly 5 million children in the US have some type of serious mental illness (meaning one that interferes with daily life). Additionally, in any given year, 20% of American children will be diagnosed with a mental illness.

We love our kids and want the very best for them. Sometimes, we don’t get to choose how their life plays out, but we always try our best. If you are concerned about the state of your child’s mental health, please contact your child’s doctor and describe any behavior that concerns you.

If you’re unsure about whether or not certain behaviors are normal, the child mental health experts at David Lawrence Centers have put together a list to help you determine if you should seek additional mental health help for your child.

Signs of When You Need Professional Mental Help for Your Child

Thought or Perception Problems

• Inability to concentrate
• Easily distracted
• Difficulty remembering
• Inability to grasp abstract concepts
• Perceptual difficulties (seeing bright colors, hearing loud sounds, hearing voices, believing there are hidden messages in the TV, radio or other public forms of address, reacts to old situations as if they are completely new)

Signs of anxiety

• Highly anxious (in almost every situation)
• Fearful (of anything and everything)
• Acts as if he or she is constantly on guard or hyper alert
• Acts uncomfortable around people
• Has frequent upsetting memories of past events or nightmares
• Resists or avoids doing normal activities

Signs of Bipolar Mania

• Extreme mood swings
• Irritability (most of the time)
• Hyper-energetic
• Requires little sleep
• Becomes easily angered
• Disruptive to and with others
• Euphoric, excited
• Speaks rapidly and is difficult to interrupt

Signs of Depression

• Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and helplessness
• Loses interest and pleasure in hobbies previously enjoyed
• Frequent thought of suicide and/or death
• Difficulty sleeping, sleeping too much, interrupted sleep
• Loss of appetite, weight loss, or weight gain
• Fatigue, loss of energy
• Persistent feelings or sadness, crying spells
• Agitation
• Drop in grades

Socialization Problems

• Becomes physically or verbally abusive to others (siblings, friends, strangers)
• Has few friends
• Prefers to be alone
• Difficult to get along with others
• Highly critical or over-attached in relationships
• Seems afraid and anxious around other people
• Misreads/cannot read other people

Lack of Self-Care

• Lack cleanliness
• Eating problems (overeats or not enough)
• Doesn’t do homework, yardwork, or chores as required
• Doesn’t care or pay attention to little things

Seek Mental Health Help for Your Child in Naples

If you’re concerned about the state of your child’s mental health, you will want to take action as soon as possible. David Lawrence Centers in Naples, Florida, offers mental health treatment programs for children in adolescents. We take a comprehensive, caring approach to children’s mental health care and our mental health experts will ensure that your child is has the tools he/she needs to live a life unaffected by mental illness.

Some mental health programs for children that we offer include:

• Inpatient crisis stabilization
• Outpatient therapy services
• Community services
• Holistic therapies (art, pet, equine, and music therapy)

To learn more about our mental health programs for children, click here. Or, call us 24/7 at (239) 491-7602 today.