Q: How do I know if COVID-19 is impacting my child’s mental health?
All ages
During the past several months of the COVID-19 pandemic, school closures, changes in routine, and loss of regular social connections have impacted the overall well-being of many of our kids.
In stressful situations, our bodies release stress hormones to help us cope. Toxic stress, the prolonged activation of the stress response system, can occur when a child experiences frequent traumatic events, also known as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), without adequate support. ACEs can lead to an increased risk of developing health problems like asthma, diabetes, heart disease and even cancer. Those with pre-existing mental health conditions are particularly vulnerable.
Watch your child closely for signs of negative changes in behavior, such as:
Toddlers and school-age kids
- Change in appetite
- Trouble falling and staying asleep
- Increase in nightmares
- Startle more easily
- Intense worries or fears of separation
- Extreme difficulty concentrating
- Withdrawal
Tweens and adolescents
- Change in appetite
- Excessive sleeping
- Avoid people or places that they usually like
- Negative feelings (sadness, hopelessness, irritability, anger)
- Loss of interest in activities that they used to enjoy
- Engage in risky or destructive behavior alone or with friends
- Have thoughts of suicide
Consider making an appointment with your child’s pediatrician to discuss ACEs and a mental health screening, coping skills and treatment options. Also, make sure you take care of your own emotional well-being
Dr. Edwin Poon is a licensed clinical psychologist and the director of behavioral health services with CalOptima. caloptima.org
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