Behaviors
A child’s behavior can be cause for concern at any time. To help
determine whether or not the behavior you are seeing is a mental health
issue, please read the information below,
including:
If you are concerned about a child’s development or mental health,
please talk with your health care provider or a mental health professional.
Anoka County Children's Mental Health Services can also help. For more
information, see Getting Help.
General Indicators of Mental Health Problems
The general types of behaviors that may tell you if a child has a
mental health issue are:
- Acting out behavior (self-abusive, aggressive, violent,
disruptive)
- Withdrawing behavior (fears, depression, anxiety, refusing to be
social, refusing to talk)
- Defensive behavior (lying, cheating, avoiding others)
- Disorganized behavior (out of touch with reality, seeing or
hearing things that aren’t there, disconnected thinking or acting)
Not all children grow from infancy through their adolescent years
without experiencing bumps along the way. While every child is unique
and special, sometimes they encounter problems with feelings or
behaviors that cause disruption in their lives and the lives of those
around them. It can be difficult to tell the difference between normal
developmental stages, which are temporarily disruptive, and more
serious emotional disturbances.
Caregivers and parents must seek the information they need to help
children grow and develop in a positive manner. Research confirms that getting help in the early stages of a mental health problem can prevent
the problem from getting worse. See Getting
Help.
Specific Indicators of Emotional Disturbances
- Infants (0-12 months)
- Jumpy or jittery, over-reacting to noise, touch or light
- Does not notice when touched or when things are going on
nearby
- Excessive fussing or crying, inability to be soothed or
comforted
- Not gaining weight (not due to physical problem)
- Lack of harmony between parent and child
- Toddlers (1-3 years)
- Delays of at least six months in walking, talking, social, or
other behavior
- Excessive hand-waving or hand-clapping
- Self-destructive behavior, such as biting or head banging
- Aggressive behavior directed at other people or things
- Unable to become connected to people who take care of the
child
- Overly dependent or overly obedient
- Preschoolers and Kindergartners (4-6 years)
- Anxious or fearful, depressed mood, total lack of interest in
or withdrawing from other people
- Unable to separate from parents
- Lack of confidence which keeps the child from having fun
- Unable to control his/her own behavior
- Aggressive behavior
- Refusal to comply with rules and expectations
- School-Age Children (7-12 years)
- Depressed mood, loss of interest in activities and
relationships
- Trouble sleeping or difficulty with eating
- Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, suicidal talk or
action
- Continued resistance to attending school
- Headaches or stomach aches that keep occurring but don’t seem
to have a cause
- Easily distracted or unable to pay attention
- Poor school work, including being very behind in reading or
math
- Aggressive or hurtful behavior
- Poor or declining school work or attendance
- Acting out sexual behaviors that are inappropriate for the
child’s age
- Sexual or physical aggression
- Constant refusal to comply with rules at home or school
- Truancy, chemical abuse, running away
- Eating disorder, unusual eating patterns
- Inability to develop values, morals, relationships, or
educational goals
- Adolescents (13-19 years)
- Depressed mood, loss of interest in activities and
relationships
- Trouble sleeping or difficulty with eating
- Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, suicidal talk or
action
- Declining school performance or attendance
- Sexual intrusiveness or promiscuity
- Chronic resistance to complying with rules at home or school
- Truancy, chemical abuse, running away
- Eating disorder, unusual eating patterns
- Conflicts around personal identity, such as values, morality,
relationships, sexuality, vocational, or educational goals