What should I do if my child tends to overthink or worry excessively?

Generally, a child's tendency to daydream excessively may be caused by imbalances in brain neural excitation, chronic sleep deprivation, adjustment disorders, anxiety states, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It is recommended to seek medical advice promptly, identify the underlying cause, and then improve the condition through general interventions, medication, and other methods under a doctor's guidance. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Imbalance in Brain Neural Excitation: A child's brain is still developing, and neurotransmitter secretion can fluctuate easily, leading to an imbalance between excitation and inhibition, which may result in aimless associations. In daily life, provide children with more DHA-rich foods such as nuts and deep-sea fish. Spend time each day engaging them in 30 minutes of physical activities like jumping rope or ball bouncing to help stabilize their nervous system.

2. Chronic Sleep Deprivation: Staying up late using mobile phones or doing homework leads to insufficient sleep and inadequate brain rest, making thoughts prone to confusion and loss of control. Establish a routine for the child to go to bed before 9 p.m. every night. Remove electronic devices one hour before bedtime and promote sleep through reading picture books or listening to bedtime stories, ensuring 10 hours of sleep per day.

3. Adjustment Disorder: Environmental changes such as switching schools or family upheavals may be difficult for a child to adapt to, leading to excessive daydreaming as a way to relieve unease. Under medical supervision, medications such as lorazepam tablets, alprazolam tablets, or estazolam tablets may be prescribed for treatment.

4. Anxiety State: Excessive worry about exams or interpersonal relationships can lead to persistent intrusive thoughts and difficulty concentrating. Under a doctor’s guidance, medications such as sertraline tablets, paroxetine tablets, or fluvoxamine tablets may be used to manage anxiety symptoms.

5. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): The child repeatedly dwells on the same thought uncontrollably and becomes distressed if unable to "sort things out." Medications such as clomipramine tablets, sertraline hydrochloride tablets, or fluoxetine hydrochloride capsules should be taken as directed by a physician to alleviate symptoms.

In daily life, avoid giving children excessive sweets and snacks containing caffeine. Parents should spend more time engaging children in focused activities such as crafts or drawing. When a child begins to daydream excessively, redirect their attention with specific tasks.