Discussions about young children’s mental health usually involve issues related to teenagers and school-aged children. Younger children can experience serious mental health problems that are often overlooked in this discourse.
Many parents do not realize how susceptible infants and young children are to these types of problems. This is largely due to “the widespread misconception that young children do not develop mental health problems and are immune to early adversity and trauma. They are inherently resilient and It “grows out” of behavioral and emotional problems,” say researchers Alicia F. Lieberman, Ph.D., and Joy D. Ossofsky, Ph.D.
It is also commonly believed that small children do not understand what is happening and do not remember anything negative or harmful that they have witnessed or experienced. In fact, many of the problems that appear later in life can be traced back to infancy and early childhood.
That’s one reason why it’s important to detect and address problems early. Early intervention and treatment can help improve a child’s well-being, prevent future problems, and help them achieve better life outcomes.
But how do you know when a problem might occur? Younger children naturally experience rapid developmental changes, so spotting problems can be difficult. Unlike older children, babies and toddlers do not yet have the communication skills to express all that they are feeling. It is important. Consult your pediatrician if the following signs persist:
sleep problems
It’s normal for babies to take some time to settle into their normal sleep schedule. However, if you wake up frequently during the night after developing a stable sleep habit, it could be a sign of a problem. Frequent and violent nightmares and difficulty falling asleep are also noted.
Bedwetting
Occasional accidents are normal for young children, but frequent bedwetting after being fully potty trained is a cause for concern.
feeding problems
If the infant refuses to eat or drink, frequently vomits or coughs while eating, has difficulty chewing or swallowing, or appears to be very sensitive to certain odors or textures in food. please contact your doctor.
gastrointestinal problems
Gastrointestinal problems can also be related to feeding problems. This includes stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea.
Inability to reach developmental milestones
Pediatricians regularly ask questions to determine whether young children are reaching their developmental stage. (For more information, see here.) If your child isn’t reaching milestones, or if they start regressing or losing skills after achieving milestones, it could also be a sign.
overreacting or underreacting
An overreaction is a reaction that seems too intense or extreme. Overreacting children often have a hard time or take a long time to calm down. Underreaction, on the other hand, is the lack of emotional response or expression. Children who do so react very flat, exhibiting minimal facial expressions and gestures.
limited eye contact
Babies and toddlers may avoid eye contact as a normal reaction to uncomfortable situations and people. However, if you notice that they habitually avoid looking people in the eye, even those closest to them, it could be a sign of a problem.
Hypersensitivity
Chronic hypersensitivity is characterized by frequent and persistent crying. Irritable children often cry and have great difficulty calming down and comforting them, even though all their needs are met.
anxiety and fear
Behaviors to look out for include clinging to caretakers, being afraid to leave the house, and being very afraid of new people. Or your child may appear to be frightened or distressed in general.
aggressive behavior
This can take the form of hitting, biting, kicking, throwing or breaking things, intentionally hurting yourself or others, and frequent temper tantrums. , or if you regularly deal with disobedience, it may indicate a mental health problem.
