Mental illness in children is as real as
in adults. And in fact, the trend of mental health concerns in children is on the rise. Many factors contribute to this alarming scenario. Bullying at school can result to mental and emotional disturbance in youngsters. So is being in a hurricane, or seeing a school shooting, for instance. Violence in the family can also result to mentally ill children. Violence in the community can also cause the same, or worrying about terrorism. And then there is the change in brain chemistry during maturation which some assert as a possible cause of mental illness.
Post traumatic disorder which is a form of mental disturbance can happen to children as well. Even depression can beset elementary age kids. Surf in the internet and you can see a clearer picture. Statistics and data presented in books and online sources tell you that mental illness in children is a fact. Approximately 2.5% of children in the United States suffer from depression. Depression for these young people often go undiagnosed and as a consequence is not treated. It is likely confused with normal childhood or teen behavior. An estimated 4.1% of kids in their school-age have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD.
Causes of mental illness can go for a lifetime, and half of these causes start by the age of 14. One out of ten children are mentally and
. This keeps them from being able to be fully functional at home, at school or in the community. Anxiety disorders which largely affects adults are said to start in late childhood. And what of anxiety disorders in kids? They affect 13% of the 9-17 years old population. Kids who are being treated for self-harm in emergency departments in hospitals in the U.S. are under diagnosed for mental illness. And for children who have this illness, only 21% receive treatment.
When mental health issues are not treated early on, they are more likely to become severe and more difficult to treat. The fact is, children can suffer from mental illness, and one of them is depression. What is there to look out for kids who might have this problem? A primary indicator is poor school performance. A kid might refuse to go to school or might continually worry and become anxious. Hyperactivity and fidgeting are also possible symptoms. So are awful nightmares. A child might begin to become verbally and physically aggressive. They might also exhibit general irritability. If you suspect that your child may be disturbed, there are some ways for you to help him/her.
Try to observe your child’s behavior over time. You could keep a journal for this to be able to keep track and you can do this for at least a month. Take time to talk to your child about problems which may be bothering him/her. Your child might be a victim of bullying in school. Let him or her express self-esteem issues as well, and be there for support and encouragement. Allow your child to express what he or she has seen and what his or her personal feelings are. Let your child find a friend in you, or somebody they could confide in.
Be keen about his/her word choices and description of feelings. As you listen, try to observe their body language. Take time to praise your child’s strength and talents, but don’t overdo it. Or else, they will no longer believe you. And most of all, seek
when you think it is needed. It is possible for mental illness to be treated and to allow your child to be able to cope with their issues and become an adjusted adult.
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