When should I take my child to the psychologist?

Being a father or mother is one of the most enriching experiences of the human beingBut it can also be a very stressful situation, especially the first time. Any physical symptoms (sneezing, cough, or fever) can force you to go to the doctor as soon as possible. Unfortunately, physical problems or illnesses are not the only concern of parents who, above all, want a healthy development of their child.

When should I take my child to the psychologist?

The psychological problems or mental disorders must also be taken into account at an early age, because effective treatment at these ages will positively condition the future of a child. However, if the problem is allowed to pass and is not treated in an adequate way, the consequences can be negative and the symptoms can get worse over time.

Early diagnosis and treatment are important

But, How do you know if your child needs to see a psychologist or another mental health professional? Are there signs that can alert you that something is wrong? Although it may be okay to consult other family members or friends who have been parents in the past,

there are clear symptoms that should not be ignored.

If a child shows signs of a mental disorder, early diagnosis and treatment are important to minimize its negative effects.

Disorders that can develop during childhood

There are quite a few mental disorders or disorders of psychological origin that begin in infancy, childhood or adolescence. According to the DSM-IV-TR we can find:

• Pervasive developmental disorders: autistic disorder, Rett's disorder, Childhood disintegrative disorder, Asperger's disorder
• Mental retardation
• Learning disorders: reading disorder, calculation disorder, written expression disorder
• Motor skills disorders
• Communication disorders: expressive language disorder, mixed receptive-expressive language disorder, phonological disorder, stuttering
• Attention deficit disorders and disruptive behavior: ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder
• Ingestion and eating disorders from infancy or childhood
• Tic disorders: tourette syndrome, chronic motor or vocal tic disorder, transient tic disorder.
• Elimination disorders: Encopresis, Enuresis
• Other childhood disorders, childhood or adolescence: separation anxiety, selective mutism, reactive bonding disorder of infancy or childhood, stereotyped movement disorder.

There are also other disorders that can develop at these ages, such as: Bipolar disorder, depression, post traumatic stress disorder or schizophrenia.

Symptoms that children with a psychological disorder may present

The list presented below shows some symptoms that may indicate the presence of psychological disorders:

• Sleeping problems
• Frequent nightmares or night terrors
• Strange behaviors
• Intense fear
• Excessive aggressiveness
• Regressive behavior (performance of behaviors of previous ages)
• Attention and reading problems
• Slow speech or language development
• Lack of appropriate emotional responses
• Wetting the bed in old age
• Withdrawal and social relationship problems
• Hyperactivity
• Hear voices or speak alone
• The child claims to see non-existent things
• Complains of stomach aches, headaches, or other physical symptoms very often
• Repetitive and obsessive behaviors
• Frequent irritability
• Discouragement most of the time

Do not forget that these symptoms that could indicate that the child suffers from a disorder, but each pathology has specific symptoms. Even so, these symptoms are indicators that something is wrong with the child, and it would be advisable to consult a specialist to clarify doubts and start a specific treatment if necessary.