Does my teenager have a mental health problem?
Today we have the combined knowledge of two experts: The Doc talked to Frank Köhnlein, author and child and adolescent psychiatrist from Basel, about the behaviour of children and adolescents in particular - and about when parents need to start worrying. The most important results.
Point no. 1: If children and adolescents lock themselves in their room, hide away and close themselves off, this is not yet alarming behaviour. The decisive factor is whether there is still a connection to the outside world, whether there is another world for the child. Only if the described behaviour does not change over a period of two weeks does it become worrying.
However, Frank Köhnlein emphasises that mood swings in adolescents are completely normal. It is therefore important to pay attention to the time factor on the one hand, but also to possible reasons on the other: You should ask yourself why the child is displaying this behaviour - and also ask them about it. Something may have happened that could explain the behaviour.
If, as a parent, you are at a complete loss as to why the child is withdrawing from the world over a longer period of time, a conversation can be a solution. However, teenagers don't usually like to talk about how they feel and why they feel this way. However, it is already a first warning sign if you as a parent have no idea at all and cannot imagine what the reasons for the child's behaviour and change might be.
It can also be alarming if the teenager's behaviour is repeated again and again and the process is always the same, creating a kind of cycle from which they can no longer escape.
As parents, you should also "read between the lines" a little to find out what the child may be trying to signal with their behaviour. Are they turning the music up so loud because they want to be heard? Or are they constantly listening to the music with headphones and don't want to be heard? Understanding and interpretation are required to find out what the possible motives are.
In summary, you should only start to worry if you have no ideas or suspicions as to why the child is behaving strangely and if this behaviour lasts longer than roughly two weeks or keeps recurring. One thing is clear: if you are seriously worried, then contact your paediatrician. They can give you an initial assessment - and refer you to experts such as Frank Köhnlein if necessary.
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