Signs of Mental Health Conditions in Children

Andrea Gibbs • December 19, 2022

Sign of Mental Health Conditions in Children: How Parents Often Miss It!

written by Andrea Gibbs

When it comes to mental health conditions that affect children, many parents miss them. This is because they mostly happen before the child has reached school age. However, once they begin school, they are more likely to be detected by teachers and officials at school.

Signs of these conditions are not something parents should ignore, as any delay can lead to permanent damage to the child's brain development. Parents need to be aware of any signs that may indicate their little ones are in trouble so they can seek help from a professional immediately.

Signs of Mental Conditions in Children

If you are a parent, chances are you've noticed when your child is having difficulty in school or at home. But what if the problem isn't what you think it is?

Take a look at these signs of mental health conditions in children that parents often miss.

Lack of concentration

Children with mental health conditions can have problems concentrating, following instructions, focusing on what others say, and completing tasks. They may also have difficulty organizing their thoughts or remembering things.

Here are the possible reasons a child with mental health conditions may have poor concentration:

ADHD
Anxiety disorders
Depression
Learning disabilities

As soon as you notice your child has poor concentration, you should consult a doctor or a professional who can help identify the condition and provide your child with the proper treatment.

Bedwetting

Bedwetting is another common sign of mental health conditions in children. This condition has been associated with various emotions, from fear to resentment and anger. In some cases, cognitive developmental delays come hand in hand with bedwetting and can make it more difficult to resolve the issue. This might be due to reasons such as

Psychological or emotional problems: Bedwetting can result from emotional stress caused by traumatic events or disruptions in a child's normal routine.

For examples:

moving to a new place
making the transition from one school to another,
the death of a loved one

These things can make the child insecure and frustrated, which is why they may not be able to control their bladder.

Cognitive developmental delays: This can cause the child to not fully understand the consequences of wetting their bed at night, or they may not realize it's happening.

Medical Problems: Bedwetting can be a sign of physical problems that affect the urinary tract and kidneys.

Lack of speaking

Lack of speaking can indicate a mental health condition. They may not talk at all or only speak erratically. Mental health conditions associated with this include:

depression
anxiety disorders
bipolar disorder
ADHD
autism

Even when a lack of speaking could be due to other factors, such as shyness or introversion, parents must be aware that children may also suffer from something more serious.

Changes in sleep pattern

The most common sign of mental health conditions in children is trouble sleeping.

Kids who are depressed or anxious might have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, while those with ADHD might be restless at night and have trouble winding down.

Sleep problems are also common for kids with PTSD, who may have nightmares or trouble staying asleep. And have you ever heard a child complain about having "the jitters" before bedtime? That could be a sign that they're suffering from OCD—they can't relax because they're worried about something going wrong at night (like having bad dreams).

Parents need to seek professional help if they suspect their child has a mental health condition because, without treatment, the child could suffer permanent damage to brain development.

Sudden changes in behavior

The signs of mental health conditions in children can be difficult to spot. Some are subtle, but others are so obvious that it's impossible to miss them. Still, sometimes even the most obvious signs are ignored by parents.

Sudden changes in behavior can be shown as:

Irritability or becoming withdrawn: The child becomes moody and defensive.

Symptoms might be the following:

Sulking in a corner, refusing to talk to anyone
Spending most of the day alone in their room, refusing to interact with family members and friends.

Acting out: The child changes their behavior, becoming mouthy or misbehaving.

Symptoms might be the following:

Acting rudely or aggressively towards others-talking back to or ignoring parents and teachers-hitting and kicking other people in anger.
Setting fires or destroying objects in their environment.

Strange or sad: The child becomes unusually quiet or withdrawn, even for them.

Symptoms might be the following:

They spend all of their time alone, minding their own business-they suddenly lose interest in activities they used to enjoy.
They seem depressed or sad for no apparent reason.

Frequent mood swings

Parents often miss the signs of mental health conditions in children because they're so used to their children's mood swings. But there is a difference between normal mood swings and those indicative of a mental health condition.

If your child is experiencing frequent mood swings, you should consider speaking with your pediatrician. Kids with mental health conditions can be prone to mood swings. The signs may be:

being overly happy
being unusually sad or despondent
Phobias and abnormal fears, such as fear of certain animals or darkness.
An individual's mood changes faster than it should in the blink of an eye.

Physical symptoms. If the child is experiencing cuts, bruises, or other forms of physical pain, it may indicate a mental health condition.

Appetite and sleep patterns change. Different things can cause changes in appetite or sleeping patterns, but a few conditions are always associated with an alteration in appetite or difficulty sleeping.

Conclusion:

Mental health conditions are a reality that affects lots of children. If you're concerned about your child's behavior, you should contact your doctor for an evaluation or consultation with a mental health professional. Parents need to be aware of the signs indicating mental health problems in children because it could be much more than just a typical bad behavior.

Author Bio

Andrea Gibbs is the Content Manager at SpringHive Web company, a firm that offers web design services, maintenance, and Internet marketing. She specializes in content marketing, social media, and SEO. She is also a blog contributor at Hanei Health Solutions, a mental health care center, where she writes about topics that relate to mental health and the medical field. When she's not writing or working, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Andrea is also an avid reader and loves to travel!

Sources:

Understanding Anxiety: Common Symptoms and Treatment Options (haneihealthsolutions.com)

The Relationship Between Child Anxiety Related Disorders and Primary Nocturnal Enuresis - PMC (nih.gov)

Speech Deficits in Serious mental Illness: A Cognitive Resource Issue? - PMC (nih.gov)

Mood Swings in Children: Causes and What to Do - Cadey

Thank you for reading Patient Education Essentials, the Write Shift RN blog.

Disclaimer: This article was written as a guest post for Write Shift RN LLC's blog. The information in it may not be wholly fact-checked or edited, allowing the reader to see the writer's work and skills firsthand. This information is not intended as medical advice. It is for informational and educational purposes only. Always talk to your doctor or other qualified healthcare providers about any questions or concerns you may have regarding medical conditions.

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Steroid Injections vs. PRP

By Kristina Van Winkle • October 7, 2024

A Comparative Overview for Pain Management Steroid injections and Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections are two commonly used pain management treatments. While both aim to alleviate pain and promote healing, they have different mechanisms of action and long-term effects . What Are Steroid Injections ? Corticosteroids are potent drugs used extensively across various medical fields to manage a broad spectrum of conditions, making them one of the most widely prescribed drug classes in the world. They can be administered via nearly every route, including direct injection into painful or inflamed joints. "Corticosteroids" typically refers to the class of drugs that produce glucocorticoid effects. Glucocorticoids are stress hormones that regulate numerous physiologic processes within the body. They have vasoconstrictive, immunosuppressive, and anti-inflammatory effects and play a role in metabolism. What do steroid injections treat? Corticosteroids function by suppressing the immune system and reducing inflammation within the body. They inhibit the production of the body's pro-inflammatory chemicals, leading to decreased inflammation and, consequently, pain. They are prescribed for hundreds of medical conditions, including: Allergic and autoimmune disorders Adrenocortical secretion disorders Infections and inflammation Pathologic hypoglycemia Organ and graft rejections Neurological disorders Hypercalcemia Blood disorders Skin disorders Shock What are the side effects of steroid injections? Although steroids are known to some as “wonder drugs,” they impact various bodily systems, including metabolism, water and electrolyte balance, the central nervous system, and blood cells. As a result, they are associated with many adverse side effects, especially when administered in large doses or over extended periods. Adverse effects may occur in up to 90% of individuals who take them for longer than sixty days. These side effects may include: Suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis Gastrointestinal disturbances Osteoporosis and fractures Psychiatric disturbances Carpal tunnel syndrome Cardiovascular disease Immunosuppression Cushingoid features Hyperglycemia Skin disorders Glaucoma Myopathy Cataracts Diabetes The risk of adverse side effects is particularly high when taken systemically. However, side effect occurrences vary when administered as local injections for pain management. Data indicates that steroid injections into joints and the spine can produce systemic effects that can last for weeks. When assessing the risk factors associated with steroid injections, healthcare providers must consider all types and doses of steroids the person is taking, including both oral and injectable forms. Additionally, special caution is advised for certain populations, such as those who may undergo surgery soon, postmenopausal women, and individuals with diabetes. What is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) ? Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections use an individual's own blood to promote cellular regeneration. Through the extraction and reinjection of platelets, growth factors, and other bioactive proteins from the person's blood, PRP therapy offers long-lasting improvements, sustained pain relief, and enhanced tissue function. What do PRP injections treat? PRP injections can stimulate healthy cell growth, reduce inflammation, promote tissue repair, form new blood vessels, rejuvenate the skin and hair, and accelerate recovery after a traumatic injury. It can treat a wide range of conditions, including: Pain resulting from traumatic injury or degenerative conditions such as arthritis and chronic back pain Musculoskeletal conditions Tendinopathies and tears Compressive neuropathy Scars and stretch marks Osteochondral lesions Rheumatoid arthritis Erectile dysfunction Muscular injuries Plantar fasciitis Vaginal atrophy Osteoarthritis Epicondylitis Infertility Psoriasis Wounds Bursitis Vitiligo What are the side effects of PRP? Since PRP is derived from the person's own blood, the risk of allergic reactions or rejection is significantly lower compared to other injectables, such as steroids. PRP typically does not cause major side effects, though you may experience some soreness or bruising at the injection site. In rare cases, potential side effects may include: Tissue damage Nerve injuries Bleeding Infection Comparison of Steroid Injections and PRP Injections A study in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research compared steroid injections with PRP injections in patients with mild to moderate symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA). The findings indicated that both treatments were safe and effective in improving short-term pain and functioning, with no significant differences observed. However, PRP therapy demonstrated superior outcomes in the long term, with benefits extending up to one year. Additionally, a literature review in Cureus Journal of Medical Science analyzed multiple studies comparing steroid injections with PRP in lumbar spondylosis and sacroiliac arthropathy. The review found that PRP was equally as effective, if not superior, to steroid injections in the short term. Neither treatment was associated with major complications, and there were no significant differences in minor complications between the two. The review concluded that both PRP and steroid injections are safe and effective for treating lumbar spondylosis and sacroiliac arthropathy, with some evidence that PRP may offer more benefits in the long term. Research has confirmed that both steroid and PRP therapy are valuable options for pain management and tissue healing. Steroid injections offer potent anti-inflammatory benefits that can provide immediate relief. However, their systemic side effects and limited duration of efficacy should be carefully considered, especially in high-risk populations. While PRP may take longer to show results, its long-term benefits make it an increasingly popular choice for treating various conditions. Ultimately, the choice between these treatments should be based on the specific needs of the individual patient, with careful attention to the patient's medical history. Thank you for reading the Write Shift RN blog. If you need an experienced RN writer for your health or healthcare educational content, contact me !