Health Tip: When Your Children Are Grieving

(HealthDayNews) -- When a family member dies, children react differently than adults. Some may act like nothing has changed, others may become more infantile, and certain kids will even blame themselves.

But how do you know whether your child''s behavior is normal or something more serious?

According to Barnes Jewish Hospital, if your child shows one or more of the following signs, professional help may be needed:

• An extended period of depression in which your child loses interest in daily activities or events.
• Inability to sleep, loss of appetite, prolonged fear of being alone.
• Acting much younger than actual age for an extended period.
• Excessively imitating the dead person.
• Repeated statements of wanting to join the dead person.
• Withdrawal from friends.
• Sharp drop in school performance or refusal to attend school.

-- Felicity Stone