近日學生輕生新聞不斷，情況令人擔憂。作為父母，我們總會覺得大人要面對工作、家庭和生活開支，壓力比孩子大得多。但精神科專科黃宗顯醫生提醒：「臨床上可見，因壓力導致情緒困擾的個案有小學、中學及大學學生，家長應細心留意孩子的行為表現有否不同，耐心聆聽孩子的想法，不要太快作出批判。最重要相信孩子，讓孩子敢於表達自己。」
孩子面對壓力導致情緒出現問題的原因除了學習成績，更包括家人期望、朋輩相處、校園欺凌、家庭問題及家族史等。黃醫生憶述：「當面對親人離世，家人總會忙著處理身後事或各種儀式，忘了要照顧孩子的情緒。另外，亦有些孩子面對父母離異，或甚遭受虐待等，都會影響情緒。」
情緒變化各異 家長要留意
黃醫生續指：「部分孩子較懂得表達自己感受，但不少孩子都不會表達情緒，而隨著孩子年齡漸長，有些也不太願意與家人分享感受。所以家長及老師應要多加留意孩子的情緒、行為及表現有沒有變化。」
家長可留意以下表現：
1. 情緒流露在表情上，例如表現悶悶不樂、緊張、哭泣及難過等
2. 生活習慣變化，例如作息時間（失眠或睡不停）、胃口變化或經常困在房間等
3. 不願上學
4. 身體上的變化，例如肚瀉、肚痛，家長很容易會以為是健康出現問題，經深入了解後才知悉與情緒壓力有關
5. 出現自傷行為，包括打自己、𠝹手，或甚曾提及「唔想做人」等想法
In recent days, there have been continuous reports of students attempting suicide, a situation that is cause for concern. As parents, we often feel that adults face much greater pressure dealing with work, family, and financial issues than children do. However, Dr. Wong Chung Hin, a specialist in psychiatry, reminds us: “Clinically, cases of emotional distress due to stress are observed in primary, secondary, and university students. Parents should carefully observe any changes in their children’s behavior, patiently listen to their thoughts, and refrain from making hasty criticisms. The most important thing is to believe in your children and encourage them to express themselves.”
The reasons for emotional issues arising from stress in children go beyond academic performance and include family expectations, peer relationships, school bullying, family problems, and family history. Dr. Wong recalls, “When facing the death of a family member, relatives are often busy dealing with post-mortem matters or various rituals, forgetting to take care of the child’s emotions. In addition, some children experience their parents’ divorce or even abuse, which can also affect their emotions.”
Emotional changes vary, and parents need to be attentive
Dr. Wong further emphasizes, “Some children are more adept at expressing their feelings, but many do not know how to express their emotions. As children grow older, some are less willing to share their feelings with family. Therefore, parents and teachers should pay close attention to any changes in their children’s emotions, behavior, and performance.”
Parents should pay attention to the following signs:
1. Emotional expressions on the face, such as appearing gloomy, tense, crying, or sad.
2. Changes in lifestyle habits, such as disruptions in sleep patterns (insomnia or excessive sleep), changes in appetite, or spending a lot of time isolated in their room.
3. Unwillingness to go to school.
4. Physical changes, such as diarrhea, and stomachaches. Parents might easily attribute these to health issues, but a deeper understanding reveals their connection to emotional stress.
5. Self-harming behaviors, including self-hitting, cutting, or expressing thoughts like “I don’t want to live.”
每個孩子表達情緒的方法都不同，如果孩子出現上述情況只是短暫，壓力過去後便回復正常，這稱為「適應障礙症（Adjustment Disorder）」。但當情況持續，即使壓力過去後仍然出現，便應尋求專業人士協助。
孩子表達情緒問題 家長要先信任 勿輕易作批判
黃醫生表示這些情緒問題情況很多時會難以發現：「部分患者如上面所指，他不懂得表達自己的情況。但亦有部分是表達了，惟其家長或老師不認為有問題，不相信他，反而認為他不願上學是懶惰的表現。家長或照顧者聆聽孩子的問題後，要相信孩子，更不應輕易作批判。因為這亦關乎對情緒問題的意識，他們可能對情緒問題認知不足，不知道要如何處理。又或他們會擔心求助後，會遭受旁人負面標籤，而不敢求醫。」
Each child expresses emotions differently. If the child exhibits the above-mentioned signs only temporarily, returning to normal after the stress has passed, it is referred to as “Adjustment Disorder.” However, if the situation persists and continues even after the stress has subsided, seeking assistance from a professional is advisable.
When children have emotional expression issues, parents should start by trusting and not hastily criticizing
Dr. Wong points out that these emotional problems are often challenging to detect: “Some patients, as mentioned above, may not know how to express their feelings. However, there are also cases where they do express themselves, but their parents or teachers do not see it as a problem. They don’t believe the child and instead think that their reluctance to go to school is a sign of laziness. After listening to the child’s concerns, parents or caregivers should believe the child and avoid making hasty criticisms. This is also about raising awareness of emotional issues; they may have insufficient awareness and not know how to handle them. Alternatively, they may worry that seeking help will result in negative labels from others and be hesitant to seek medical attention.”
黃醫生提醒：「延遲治療可能會令病情更嚴重，甚至出現無法挽回的情況。有些家長擔心孩子去看醫生便要吃藥，又擔心藥物副作用等。但事實上藥物治療並非唯一的治療，需要先作評估，並可配合心理治療。另有不少個案會認為自己沒有事，又或過一段時間會自己痊癒，導致病情出現拖延。」
一旦孩子的情緒變化已持續發生一段時間、已影響日常生活，甚至出現傷害自己或萌生輕生念頭時，必須盡快求助。黃醫生最後亦提醒家長，若孩子閱讀近日有關輕生的新聞時，家長應陪伴在側，向他解釋這不是一個解決情緒問題的方法，以免孩子被新聞牽動情緒。
Dr. Wong warns, “Delaying treatment may worsen the condition, possibly leading to irreparable situations. Some parents worry that taking their child to see a doctor means resorting to medication and fear potential side effects. However, the truth is that medication is not the only form of treatment. It needs to be assessed first and can be complemented with psychological therapy. Many cases involve individuals who believe they are fine or expect to heal on their own after a while, leading to prolonged conditions.”
Once a child’s emotional changes have been occurring for a significant period, impacting daily life, or if thoughts of self-harm or suicide emerge, seeking help promptly is imperative. Dr. Wong also reminds parents that if a child reads news about suicide recently, parents should be by their side, explaining that this is not a solution to emotional problems, to prevent the news from affecting the child emotionally.
