Parenting is one of the hardest jobs in the world, and it doesn’t come with a handbook. So, when your once-chatty child becomes uncharacteristically quiet or your teen suddenly begins lashing out, you might feel lost. You might wonder: Is this just a phase, or is something more serious going on?
It’s not always easy to know the answer. Fortunately, you don’t have to navigate this journey on your own. At Anuvia, we’re here to provide a safe space for both you and your child to explore options for mental health support.
In this blog, we’ll discuss common child mental health warning signs and help you identify when it might be time to seek mental health counseling for your child.
Jump Ahead
- Understanding Child Development vs. Concerning Behavior
- Emotional Warning Signs
- Behavioral Warning Signs
- Physical Warning Signs
- Family and Social Relationship Warning Signs
- When and How to Seek Support Help
- How Anuvia Can Support Children and Teens
Understanding Child Development vs. Concerning Behavior
It’s completely normal for children and teens to occasionally act out. Emotional ups and downs are part of growing up, and many challenging behaviors are actually signs that your child is developing important social, emotional, and cognitive skills.
Here are some examples of behavior that, while sometimes difficult to manage as a parent, are typical for each age group:
Ages 5-8
- Throwing tantrums when frustrated or tired
- Struggling to share, take turns, or manage disappointment
- Having big emotional reactions to small setbacks
- Needing repeated reminders to follow directions
Ages 9-12
- Mood swings or dramatic responses to seemingly minor issues
- Becoming more self-conscious and sensitive to peer feedback
- Pushing back on household rules
- Seeking more privacy and alone time
Ages 13-17
- Questioning authority and challenging family expectations
- Frequently shifting identities
- Spending more time with friends than family
- Being overwhelmed by academic or social pressures
When to Pay Closer Attention
Of course, all kids have rough days—and even tough weeks. However, as a parent, it’s important to look at the bigger picture. If your child’s behaviors seem unusual for their age, don’t improve over time, or feel especially intense, it may be a sign of when to get help for child behavior.1
Emotional Warning Signs
All kids feel angry, sad, or anxious from time to time. But when these feelings interfere with daily life, they may indicate something more serious.
Some signs your child may need therapy include:
- Increased irritability and emotional volatility: If your child seems “on edge” and becomes frustrated over minor issues, it may be a symptom of child anxiety.
- Persistent sadness or frequent crying: Does your son or daughter seem sad most days, cry often, or talk about feeling hopeless? If so, these could be teen depression warning signs that shouldn’t be ignored.
- Excessive worry, fears, or anxiety: Constant anxiety and fear about everyday activities like going to school, meeting new people, or being away from you could be a symptom of child anxiety.
- Dramatic mood swings beyond typical adolescent changes: While occasional mood changes are normal, extreme highs and lows that interfere with daily life can be cause for concern.
- Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities: Does your child no longer seem interested in things they once loved, such as playing, seeing friends, or engaging in hobbies? If so, now might be when to get help for child behavior.
Behavioral Warning Signs
Behavioral changes can also offer important insight into your child’s mental health. If your son or daughter is acting more withdrawn than usual or frequently arguing, lying, or engaging in risky behaviors, they may need professional support.
Some signs your child may need therapy include:
- Social withdrawal or isolation from friends and family: If your child begins to distance themselves from friends or family, they may be struggling. In fact, self-isolation is a common child anxiety symptom and teen depression warning sign.2
- Changes in academic performance: It’s not uncommon for emotional struggles to impact a child’s ability to focus or engage in school. This may lead to a sudden decline in academic performance, a lack of interest in schoolwork, or a reluctance to go to school altogether.
- Difficulty concentrating or sitting still: If your son or daughter seems restless, especially during quiet activities like reading or homework, they may be struggling with underlying behavioral challenges.
- Lying, stealing, or other concerning behaviors: It’s normal for kids to be dishonest occasionally, but frequent lying, stealing, or acting out can point to deeper emotional issues.
- Sleep disturbances: Disturbed sleep is a common child anxiety symptom, often manifesting as difficulty falling asleep, nightmares, or sleeping excessively.
- Changes in eating patterns: A noticeable change in your child’s eating habits, whether they’re eating more or less than usual, can be a teen depression warning sign.
- Substance use or experimentation: If you notice signs of alcohol or drug use, including finding paraphernalia, smelling substances on your child, or noticing changes in their friend groups or behaviors associated with substance use, this is a serious warning sign.
Physical Warning Signs
When children are struggling emotionally, they don’t always have the words to explain what they’re feeling. Instead, their distress may manifest in physical symptoms.
Some signs your child may need therapy include:
- Unexplained headaches or stomach aches: Complaints of physical symptoms without an obvious cause can be a child mental health warning sign.
- Changes in energy levels: While it’s normal for kids to experience changes in sleep patterns, a lack of energy even after rest may indicate that your child is experiencing anxiety or depression.
- Complaints about physical symptoms before school or social events: When a child complains of aches, pains, and nausea before school or social events, it can be a symptom of child anxiety.
- Self-harming behaviors: Self-harming behaviors like cutting, burning, hitting, or scratching are serious child mental health warning signs.
- Regression to earlier developmental behaviors: In times of stress, children may revert to coping mechanisms from earlier stages of development, such as thumb-sucking, bed-wetting, or clinging to you more than usual.
Family and Social Relationship Warning Signs
Friendships and family dynamics naturally change as kids get older. However, if your child is withdrawing from loved ones, struggling to connect with peers, or having more frequent conflicts with family and friends, they may need help processing deeper emotional issues.
Some signs your child may need therapy include:
- Increased family conflict centered around the child: Frequent arguments or tension at home may be a sign your child is dealing with big emotions. Therapy can help them express their feelings in healthier ways and improve family communication.
- Resistance to family activities that were once enjoyed: It’s normal for teens to want more space from family. However, avoidance of family time altogether is a teen depression warning sign.
- Changes in peer groups or sudden social isolation: Shifting friendships are part of growing up, but when a child suddenly cuts off all friends or begins spending most of their time alone, it may point to emotional or social struggles.
- Communication breakdown between parent and child: When your child stops opening up to you or conversations turn into ongoing arguments, it often means they’re feeling misunderstood or overwhelmed.
- Declining relationship with siblings: Frequent conflict with or withdrawal from siblings is a common child mental health warning sign.
When and How to Seek Support
It may be time to seek mental health support for your child if their problematic behaviors:
- Last more than 2 to 3 weeks: Emotional ups and downs are part of healthy development. However, if your child’s behaviors persist for more than 2 to 3 weeks without improvement, they could possibly benefit from professional support.
- Affect their daily life: When your son or daughter’s emotional struggles start affecting their ability to keep up with schoolwork, spend time with friends, or enjoy hobbies, it may be a sign your child needs therapy.
- Raise concerns from teachers or school counselors: Educators and school support staff often notice shifts in behavior that parents might miss. If they express concerns about your child’s mood, academic performance, or social interactions, take their feedback seriously.
It’s also important to trust your parental instincts. If something feels off with your child but you can’t put your finger on it, don’t ignore that gut feeling. Early detection and intervention for mental health issues can significantly improve a child’s long-term well-being.3
Approaching the Conversation with Your Child
Talking to your child about mental health support can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips for navigating the conversation:
- Listen actively: Show you’re paying attention by nodding and offering verbal cues like “I hear you.”
- Validate their feelings: Use phrases like, “It’s okay to feel that way.”
- Be mindful of body language: Maintain eye contact and stay relaxed.
- Avoid interrupting: Let them talk without jumping in with solutions right away.
- Reassure them: Remind them that asking for help shows strength and courage.
- Normalize therapy: Describe therapy as a safe, non-judgmental space.
- Keep the conversation open: Let them know they can always come to you for support.
Types of Support Available
Watching your child struggle can be incredibly difficult. Fortunately, you don’t have to face this alone. There are a variety of support programs designed to help children and families.
Common types of support include:
- Child and adolescent counseling: Offered either one-on-one or in a group setting, therapy helps children build coping skills, boost self-confidence, and better manage their emotions.
- School-based services: Many schools offer on-campus counseling to support students facing emotional or behavioral challenges.
- Family support programs: These programs help strengthen family dynamics by teaching effective communication, discipline, and problem-solving skills.
- Youth substance use prevention: These early intervention programs help children and teens who may be at risk of substance use. Programs often include group discussions, educational activities, and family involvement.
How Anuvia Can Support Children and Teens
As a parent, watching your child struggle with their mental health can feel overwhelming. But you’re not alone; many families face similar challenges every day. The good news is that recognizing child mental health warning signs early and seeking professional support can make a significant difference in your child’s emotional well-being and long-term development.
At Anuvia, we offer specialized counseling services for children and teens struggling with emotional and behavioral concerns. Whether your child is experiencing separation anxiety, struggling to stay focused at school, or having difficulty with peer relationships, our team is here to help.
We take a compassionate, whole-family approach, working not only with children and teens but also with parents, schools, and community partners to build the skills and support needed for long-term wellness. Additionally, we provide programs focused on substance use disorder prevention in youth to help prevent the development of more serious issues down the road.
Are you ready to take the next step? Call Anuvia today at (704) 376-7447 or visit us online to learn more about how we can support your family’s path forward.
Citations
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, January 31). Behavior or conduct problems in children. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/children-mental-health/about/about-behavior-or-conduct-problems-in-children.html
- Almeida, I. L. L., Rego, J. F., Teixeira, A. C. G., & Moreira, M. R. (2021). Social isolation and its impact on child and adolescent development: A systematic review. Revista Paulista de Pediatria, 40, e2020385. https://doi.org/10.1590/1984-0462/2022/40/2020385
- Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute. (2025, May). The power of early intervention in mental health: A pathway to wellness and recovery. Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute. https://www.ppimhs.org/the-power-of-early-intervention-in-mental-health