Many parents and guardians are very attentive in everyday life – and yet the first signs of mental health problems in children often go unnoticed or are misinterpreted. This is mainly because mental health issues develop gradually and can be hidden behind typical behaviours associated with growing up.

Parents, teachers and carers are therefore often faced with the question: is this a temporary phase of development or the first warning signs of serious mental distress?

Developmental Phases or First Warning Signs?

Children and young people go through many emotional and social developmental stages. It is completely normal for their behaviour to change from time to time. However, there are certain signs that you should look out for:

Persistent social withdrawal: If your child distances themselves from friends and family over a longer period of time, no longer wants to socialise or seems unusually quiet.
Severe mood swings: Frequent outbursts of anger, sudden sadness or irritability – without any clear trigger – can indicate mental distress.
Loss of interest: Children who suddenly lose interest in hobbies or games should be observed, especially if this persists.
Changes in sleep or appetite: Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, nightmares or sudden loss of appetite are common symptoms of mental health issues in children.

These warning signs do not automatically mean that a mental illness is present – but they can be important indicators of an emerging problem.

Typical Misinterpretations by Adults

Early symptoms are often downplayed or misinterpreted – not out of negligence, but because they are disguised in everyday behaviour. A child who frequently has stomach aches is quickly considered sensitive. A teenager who withdraws is perceived as ‘typical puberty’. But there may be more to it than that.

Especially during their school years, many children tend to express emotional stress physically – for example, through headaches, concentration problems or restlessness. These so-called psychosomatic reactions often go undetected if the emotional connection is not recognised.

When Parents Should Take a Closer Look

Some behavioural changes are part of normal growing up – others, however, indicate deeper psychological distress. If you are unsure, pay attention to the following aspects:

Duration: If the change in behaviour persists for several weeks, this may be an indication of a deeper problem.
Intensity: How much does the behaviour differ from your child’s previous personality? Are they unusually withdrawn, aggressive or emotionally unstable?
Context: Does the behaviour only occur at home or also at school and during leisure time? If several areas of life are affected, the likelihood of a mental health problem increases.
Stress for the child: Does your child seem overwhelmed, sad or inhibited? If they reflect a feeling of inner distress, this should be taken very seriously.

If you feel uncertain as a parent or caregiver, it is advisable to seek professional help from a specialist or therapist at an early stage. The earlier mental health problems are recognised in children, the better the appropriate support can be provided.

How to promote your child’s mental health

Early Warning Signs of Mental Health Problems in Children and Adolescents

Mental health issues in children do not always manifest themselves in clear symptoms – often, it is small changes in behaviour, body language or social interaction that indicate the onset of emotional distress. Recognising these signs early on allows targeted support to be provided before more serious mental health problems develop.

Behavioural Changes in Everyday Life

One of the most common early warning signs is a significant change in everyday behaviour. Children who were previously open, lively and sociable suddenly become withdrawn or unusually quiet. Others display aggression, restlessness or exaggerated reactions to the slightest stimuli.

Such changes should not be viewed in isolation – only when considered in terms of their duration, intensity and context can a clear picture emerge. Parents should be particularly alert if the behaviour no longer seems age-appropriate.

Physical Complaints without Organic Cause

Mental health problems in children often manifest themselves on a physical level, especially when children do not yet have the language skills to express their feelings.

Typical psychosomatic symptoms include:

Recurring stomach aches
Headaches
Nausea
Sleep disorders
Loss of appetite

These complaints often occur in stressful situations, such as before school, before social interactions or after family conflicts. If no medical cause can be found, it is worth taking a look at the child’s emotional well-being.

Common Signs at School

Psychological problems are often first noticed at school, where teachers and educators observe children on a daily basis in a social and performance-related context.

Possible signs include:

Concentration problems or sudden drop in performance
Increasing anxiety about school or frequent absences
Withdrawal in the classroom
Noticeable conflicts with classmates

Communication between the school and parents is particularly important here in order to identify developments at an early stage.

Sudden Emotional Outbursts

Another warning sign is emotional reactions that do not seem to match the trigger: outbursts of anger over minor issues, excessive sadness or panic-like reactions to everyday situations. These feelings often seem ‘exaggerated’ to outsiders – but in fact they are an outlet for inner tensions that children and adolescents cannot express in any other way.

Early warning signs in children and adolescents

Correctly Identifying Symptoms of Depression in Children

Depressive disorders are among the most common mental illnesses in childhood and adolescence – yet they often go unrecognised. This is partly because the symptoms do not always manifest themselves in the same way as in adults. While depressed adults are often able to express sadness and listlessness, children and adolescents show their emotional distress in other ways. It is therefore particularly important to be aware of age-appropriate symptoms of depression in children and to take them seriously.

Abnormalities in Primary School Age

In younger children, depressive symptoms are usually indirect. They often appear sad or irritable, do not want to play, complain of physical complaints or no longer want to go to school or see their friends.

The most common signs include:

Persistent low mood or irritability
Lack of interest in playing and social withdrawal
Frequent stomach aches or headaches without any apparent cause
Difficulty falling asleep or waking up during the night

Since many of these behaviours can also occur in response to other stresses or illnesses, a professional assessment is crucial.

Withdrawal and Sadness in Adolescents

Depressive symptoms are often more apparent in adolescents, but are quickly misinterpreted as ‘puberty behaviour’. Lack of motivation, social withdrawal, truancy or a pessimistic world view are common signs – as are changes in eating habits or sleep problems.

In some cases, thoughts of self-harm or suicide may also occur. These should always be taken very seriously – even if they are ‘only’ expressed.

Difference from ‘Normal’ Puberty Crises

Many parents wonder how they can distinguish a depressive episode from typical mood swings in adolescence. A decisive factor is the duration and severity of the symptoms:

Puberty comes in waves – depressive moods, on the other hand, often persist for weeks or months.
Young people suffering from depression lose interest in activities that they previously enjoyed.
Their physical energy is also often significantly reduced – in contrast to the changing dynamics that many adolescents display.

If several of these symptoms occur at the same time, it is advisable to seek professional help at an early stage – for example, from a child and adolescent psychotherapist or a specialised clinic such as the Verus Bonifatius Hospital.

When Professional Help Is Needed – and What It Looks Like

Mental health issues in children do not always require treatment – but in some cases, parental support alone is no longer enough. Professional help can then be crucial in preventing the condition from worsening and stabilising the child’s emotional development. The most important thing is to get the right help at the right time.

Distinguishing Between Stress and Ollness

Children are exposed to everyday stress, whether it be pressure at school, family changes or social conflicts. Such challenges are part of growing up and do not necessarily indicate mental health problems.

However, if the following points apply, it is worth taking a closer look:

The child is clearly suffering from their condition.
Their behaviour remains unchanged or becomes increasingly stressful over a period of weeks.
Several areas of their life (e.g. school, leisure time, family) are affected.
The child develops physical symptoms with no apparent cause.

In such cases, it may be the onset of a mental illness that requires professional help.

Who can Help and When?

The first step is often to consult a paediatrician. They can provide an initial assessment, rule out physical causes and, if necessary, refer you to a specialist therapist or clinic.

Depending on the severity and duration of the symptoms, various forms of help are available:

Individual psychotherapy sessions – for mild symptoms
Family therapy – if family dynamics are involved
Day clinic or inpatient stay – for more severe or chronic mental health problems

It is important to remember that seeking help early is not an admission of failure, but an expression of responsible care.

Further information on treatment and therapy approaches can be found here!

What Parents can do Specifically

Even without professional support, parents can do a lot to strengthen their children. This includes:

Offer conversations: Stay open and attentive – even if your child does not talk much about themselves.
Create routine: Fixed structures in everyday life provide security.
Reduce pressure: Encourage your child, but make sure there is a balance and they have time to relax.
Show understanding: Try to see things from your child’s perspective – even if their behaviour is difficult to understand.

In many cases, the combination of family support and professional help is the key to stabilisation.

Find out how you can strengthen your parent-child relationship!

Prevention and Support from the Verus Bonifatius Hospital

The Verus Bonifatius Hospital supports children, adolescents and their families in recognising mental health issues at an early stage, taking them seriously and treating them individually. In addition to medical and therapeutic care, the focus is also on prevention – because the earlier mental health problems are recognised, the better long-term consequences can be avoided.

The clinic offers a comprehensive, child-friendly therapy concept that is tailored to the needs and abilities of young patients. Only scientifically proven methods are used, which are taught in an age-appropriate manner and closely monitored by medical specialists, psychologists and therapists.

The therapy options include:

Behavioural Therapy: This form of therapy helps children to recognise and change stressful thought patterns. They learn to understand their feelings better and develop helpful behaviours for everyday life.
Psychotherapy Based on Depth Psychology: This focuses on unconscious conflicts and emotional backgrounds that influence a child’s behaviour and experiences. The aim is to achieve a deeper understanding of oneself.
Art Therapy: Creative expression through colours and shapes is a safe way for children in particular to visualise feelings that they are not (yet) able to describe in words.
Movement Therapy: This body-oriented method helps children develop a better sense of themselves, release tension and express their emotions in a healthy way.
Family Therapy: Because children are part of a system, the Verus Bonifatius Clinic also actively involves parents and other caregivers in the therapy process.

All measures are aimed at strengthening children in their development, treating mental health issues at an early stage and opening up new perspectives for everyday life. The Verus Bonifatius Hospital is at your side as an experienced and empathetic partner – from the first consultation to lasting stabilisation.

Learn more about the treatment methods at the Verus Bonifatius Hospital!

FAQ

Are there gender-specific differences in mental health issues?

Yes, mental health problems sometimes manifest differently in girls and boys. While girls are more prone to withdrawal and sadness, emotional distress in boys often manifests itself in the form of anger, aggression or conspicuous behaviour. These differences can lead to symptoms being overlooked or misinterpreted.

What role do social media play in mental health problems in adolescence?

Social media can have both positive and negative effects. On the one hand, it enables social interaction and a sense of belonging, but on the other hand, it can also promote stress, comparisons, bullying or unrealistic ideals – which increases the risk of depressive symptoms or anxiety disorders in some young people.

How do I make initial contact with the Verus Bonifatius Hospital?

You can contact us by telephone or via the contact form on our website. After an initial consultation, a professional assessment is usually carried out, possibly with preliminary diagnostic discussions. We then discuss together whether and what form of treatment is appropriate.

Published on: 12.09.2025