Behavioural Changes and Mental Health:
When Should You Worry
The world we live in is full of challenges that bring out different behaviours in people–especially kids and teenagers. Sometimes, behavioural problems are indicative of certain underlying issues. Other times, they are part of ‘normal’ developmental patterns. When certain behaviours are more than just occasional, it is important to look for the root causes, which may not be readily apparent.
Mental Health in Children and Young People
Child mental health is a difficult issue to navigate. It’s just as important as their physical health but harder to see. That is why it’s so important for parents and caregivers to be able to recognise the signs that a child is struggling.
Recognising the signs of mental health issues in children and young people is crucial for timely intervention. Anyone from a parent, psychologist, doctor or Master of Mental Health Nursing
student should understand some of the key signs and symptoms to look for. These can include persistent sadness, withdrawal from social activities, changes in eating or sleeping patterns, difficulty concentrating and much more. Early diagnosis and access to appropriate services can significantly improve outcomes.
It is often hard to know when to help, but the experts recommend that parents and caregivers should maintain open communication, provide a supportive environment, and seek professional help when they believe it is necessary.
Recognising Challenging Behaviours
As any parent knows, the job is not an easy one. Children, young and old, will have their challenges just as adults do, but sometimes challenging behaviours can do real harm.
When you are trying to track a new behaviour or behavioural change, it can help to recall when it began. A psychology professor once told me to “look for the inflection point.” Not always, but often, behaviours become apparent at a time of change in a child's life. It could be moving schools, losing a friend, gaining a sibling or anything else that changes the environment they are used to.
Sometimes, these moments of change ‘trigger’ or exacerbate underlying personality traits or behaviours. Say a child who struggles to maintain attention moves to a new school with bigger classes and less patient teachers–they could become frustrated and start behaving in challenging ways.
The same professor told me to watch for where the frustration is channelled. A useful generalisation is that girls tend to internalise while boys will externalise. Not always, of course, but generalisations can be useful. A good example is the studies that show how girls are more likely to self-harm while boys are significantly more likely to be diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder.
Key Behaviours to Manage
Some behaviours are just part of the growing pains your child will experience. Other times, a parent will need to step in or at least keep an eye out. It’s hard to know the difference, but here are a few ways to manage four key types of challenging behaviours as they arise:
1. Aggression and Defiance
These two common behaviours come in different shapes and sizes at different ages across development. Aggressive or defiant behaviours are generally linked to issues like anxiety, frustration, or a need for attention. To address these behaviours, it helps to set clear boundaries and consistently enforce rules, creating a sense of security. Positive reinforcement can encourage and reward good behaviour while modelling calm and respectful interactions, which teaches children how to handle conflicts. If the behaviour continues, consulting a child psychologist or counsellor can be very helpful and take some of the weight off your own shoulders.
2. Withdrawal and Anxiety
Withdrawal and anxiety in children can manifest through social withdrawal, reluctance to participate in activities and excessive worry. If you recognise signs of anxiety, it is important to create a supportive environment where children feel safe to express their feelings. Encouraging social interaction can help build their confidence and reduce feelings of isolation. Teaching coping skills, such as deep breathing exercises and mindfulness techniques, can encourage children to manage their anxiety effectively. Again, if you believe anxiety is significantly impacting the daily life of a loved one, seeking guidance from a mental health professional can help significantly.
3. Impulsivity and Inattention
This is a common trait, reflected by the prevalence of attention disorders at around 10% in children as a whole, peaking in the early teen years. However, there is a debate over the diagnostic criteria for Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), as many children could qualify at some point.
The Criteria for diagnosing ADHD include a pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that affects daily life. For inattention, symptoms like difficulty paying attention, not listening and being easily distracted must be present for at least six months. For hyperactivity-impulsivity, symptoms like fidgeting, excessive talking and interrupting must also be present for at least six months. These symptoms must appear before age 12, occur in multiple settings and impact social, academic or work functioning. For children up to age 16, six or more symptoms are required; for those 17 and older, five or more symptoms are needed.
If your child's hyperactivity is getting in the way of their development, consider seeing a psychologist. You can also manage hyperactivity and inattention in kids by creating structured routines, using positive reinforcement and breaking tasks into smaller steps. Encouraging physical activity and teaching coping skills like mindfulness can also help. If symptoms persist, seeking professional guidance is recommended to provide tailored support and intervention.
4. Mood Swings and Emotional Outbursts
Every parent knows what a tantrum looks like. Even the sweetest two-year-old throws a fit occasionally. As children age, outbursts change form. It can help to understand what triggers outbursts; you could even keep a notebook to check off the conditions each time one happens.
Teaching a child how to regulate emotions effectively is a big task. Start small by asking your child how they feel and why they feel this way–this increases their awareness and metacognition. Age-old techniques like asking them to take a breath and count to ten, play with a sensory toy or do a soothing activity works well.
Supporting Your Child
Raising a child, teenager or even young adult is seldom going to be smooth sailing. However, young people are impressionable and learn how to behave around others from their role models, so sometimes, the best thing you can do is lead by example.
People want to be seen, heard and understood. The only way to achieve this is by listening and prompting conversation with loved ones. It‘s not always easy, but being able to talk will help.
*Note: this article should not serve as medical advice. If you or someone you know is struggling, contact your doctor or care provider, or reach out to a helpline like Beyond Blue Australia*
