Whether you're dealing with a toddler who throws tantrums or a teen who stays out all night, raising a troubled child can be extremely difficult. Parents, teachers and caregivers faced with defiant or depressive behavior may be at a loss for where to turn. It is important to remember that you are not alone. From online communities to child psychologists, resources are available to help you navigate the storms of raising a child with psychological problems.
Step 1
Recognize early warning signs. If a child's behavior changes suddenly, ask yourself what could have led to the change. Is he being bullied at school? Have you recently moved, divorced or lost a family member or close friend to death? A child who suddenly becomes violent or despondent may be reacting to situational or environmental changes. Ask teachers or other caregivers if they've noticed behavioral differences as well. Together, you can come up with a plan to intervene before the behavior worsens.
Step 2
Show interest in the child's life. Make sure she knows you're always there to listen, and that when she needs to talk to you about something important, she'll have your undivided attention. Emotionally troubled children can feel slighted by an adult who checks email or text messages while the child is trying to get a message across. Set aside time daily or weekly that is just for the two of you, and be consistent about keeping the date. Let her know it's important to you to hear what she has to say.
Step 3
Access early intervention services. Your child's school may have a program in place for counseling children with emotional, behavioral and learning disorders. Clergy can help you as well. If you can't afford a private therapist, research the sliding-scale options available to you through your city, county or state.
Step 4
Visit your pediatrician. Psychological problems can stem from physiological ones. Children who cry frequently or seem listless may be in physical pain or have underlying neurological issues. Sometimes making changes to a child's diet or sleep schedule can work wonders, and sometimes medication is necessary. Don't be afraid to ask your child's doctor about a trial of antidepressant or stimulant medication if you suspect depression or attention deficit disorder.
Step 5
Keep others in the loop. Tell your child's teacher and other caregivers about the steps you are taking to change the behavior. Give them concrete examples of how to help your child if he becomes distressed. Parents are sometimes afraid that telling others what's going on will lead to the child being labeled "difficult" or "troublesome," but may be pleasantly surprised to find this is not the case. Behavioral changes are brought about when everyone in the child's life is on board, and the child knows he can expect consistency in his life.
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