Increasingly, children and adolescents struggle with various problems and fears. Children with autism spectrum disorders also need specialist help. Parents observe their child and wonder if he is okay or how to help him. A visit to a psychiatrist may be a rescue.
It sounds quite serious, but we must realize that children and adolescents suffer from the same disease as adults. A child psychiatrist can help with depression, schizophrenia, autism disorders or even bedwetting. If the parents decide to go to a psychiatrist with their child, it is enough to find a specialist. No referral is needed to see a psychiatrist. What’s more, if we decide on a private, paid visit, the date of the meeting may be very quick.
When should I go to a psychiatrist with my child?
Children and adolescents, as well as adults, can have mood disorders. It is worth being aware that children may also suffer from depression, which will manifest itself in a slightly different way than in an adult. Parents may notice that their child is sad, but also become irritable and even aggressive. You may also find that your child has bipolar disorder. Then emotional states appear as in depression, and in the next stage the child is over-aroused, talks a lot and sleeps little. Another problem children face is an anxiety disorder called neurosis. The anxiety your child is experiencing may be related to various factors. Children can also suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder. This ailment manifests itself in a specific way. Parents may notice that the child, for example, frequently washes their hands, performs an activity a certain number of times or in a specific sequence. If such behavior affects the functioning of the child, it is worth asking the parent to see a child psychiatrist with him. A psychiatrist also helps children with autism spectrum disorders. Early childhood autism can be diagnosed even before the child turns 3. year of life. In this case, it can be observed that the child is not interested in contact with other people or that they are specific and that the development of speech is delayed. Then the parents can make an appointment with the child’s psychiatrist. There are many symptoms that can prompt a parent to make an appointment with a specialist. For example, if your child has headaches or abdominal pain, and the tests show no abnormalities, the problem may be psychological. Adolescence is a difficult stage in our lives. If we observe that a teenager avoids eating together, has lost a lot of kilos in a short time, and has started to attach great importance to his appearance, it may suggest anorexia. It is worth talking to your children. If they trust us and share their experiences with us, it may turn out that the child feels insecure and has the impression that someone is watching them. This is another signal to report to a psychiatrist. Peers can be cruel to each other. Therefore, if your child tries to avoid going to school, you can also visit a specialist. Self-harm, thoughts and even attempted suicide are very serious signals. In such situations, the parent should react as soon as possible and go to a specialist with the child. In some situations, it is possible to go with the child to the emergency room of a psychiatric hospital. The on-call specialist can assess the patient’s mental state and decide what further steps should be taken. A child psychiatrist can also help if a child initiates conflicts with peers or family. If we notice that the child is aggressive, seeks harassment, has a problem with adapting to social norms, or even breaks the law, it is worth making an appointment to a psychiatrist.