WHEN IS THERAPY recommended
It is common for children to experience occasional problems as they grow and mature. Children can experience conflicts at home over issues such as bedtime and homework. They can encounter problems with their parents and peers as they attempt to establish an identity and relate to others. They can experience conflict with teachers as academic and behavioural demands increase. As your children and/or adolescents grow and face new situations, demands, and expectations, your child may experience emotional ups and downs. These emotions and reactions are often short-lived and usually do not significantly interfere with the child’s life.
However, occasionally a child’s response to life’s pressures may become severe, and the parents’ attempts to help their child are unsuccessful. At times such as these, professional assistance may be warranted. When determining if it is advisable that your child receives professional help, a number of factors should be examined. Is the observed emotional distress disrupting their daily functioning? Is the family functioning? Is the distress threatening to overwhelm the child? Will the achievement of age-appropriate developmental milestones be negatively impacted? Are the problems they are facing complicated and beyond the range of normal daily experience? Are the child’s symptoms severe, behaviour(s) extreme and potentially life threatening? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, therapy is recommended for your child.
Some signs to be aware of are:
- excessive anger, worry, sadness, or fear
- low self-esteem
- excessive shyness
- aggressive behaviour ( hurting others or self)
- sleep, eating, or elimination problems
- preoccupation with sexual behaviour
- separation anxiety
- behavioural regression
- physical symptoms that have no medical cause
- difficulty adjusting to family changes
- learning or other school problems
- difficulty adjusting to a loss
- unable to express feelings
- withdrawn or isolating behaviour
- increased secrecy
- false auditory or visual sensations
- loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
- sudden change in friendships and interests
- drug or alcohol use