Do you know that children suffer from the same mental health issues as adults? Unlike adults, the symptoms of children suffering from mental health problems are different. WHO estimates that 10% of all children and adolescents suffer from mental health problems. As parents, it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health problems in children.

Anxiety 

Children suffer from anxiety too. They can have a persistent fear of meeting strangers (social phobia). They can also get anxious over leaving their parents which is known as separation anxiety. They sometimes could also have intense and irrational fear over certain things known as phobia. If this happens repeatedly then the child should be taken to a mental health professional.

ADHD

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (or ADHD) requires the parents to look through several factors. To check whether your kid is suffering from ADHD check for signs of Inattention and Hyperactivity / Inactivity. These symptoms are present before the age of 12. 

Depression

If a child is suffering from depression then they may feel sad, hopeless and are uninterested in any fun activity. They will also have massive changes in their sleeping pattern along with a loss of energy. Other signs are feeling guilty, useless and worthless. 

OCD

A common misconception with OCD is that people get obsessed with cleanliness and tidiness. But OCD also means to obsessively do things repeatedly. Children could develop OCD in handwashing, keeping things in a specific place, checking their toys repeatedly and more. 

PTSD

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD is caused by a traumatic and stressful event. A child can show signs of PTSD if they have nightmares while sleeping, they get easily startled, they avoid crowded places, they feel constant worry over the event happening again and feel sad or dejected. 

When you see the above signs in your children it is best to seek the help of mental health professional. Childhood issues can harm their adult life also.