Children and teens’ mental health is finally getting the attention it deserves.
Behavior that was once seen as children being children — such as teenagers acting out or youngsters misbehaving at home or school — can develop mental health issues.
As a parent, it is essential to be aware of potential mental health conditions in kids.
It is also important to know that you aren’t alone.
According to statistics, more than one in six children and adolescents (ages 6 to 17) have a mental disorder each year.
When a child or teen is mentally strong, they do well at home, in studies, and society.
However, when medical experts, parents, and teachers talk about mental health in kids, they often refer to those dealing with mental health illnesses.
Understanding what makes a young adults mentally healthy and what they look like will help us recognize the signs of illnesses that need to be addressed.
Kids and teens who have good mental health are strong learners. This covers academic learning as well as social skills development.
Healthy growth is likely experienced by young adults who feel comfortable managing their time between schooling, extracurricular activities, and household responsibilities as they get older.
Moreover, adolescents who work part-time can conduct themselves appropriately.
Children and teenagers who have good mental health should also be able to experience, manage, and express different positive and negative emotions. It should be rather obvious when mentally healthy kids are happy or sad.
Also, kids and teens should be able to discuss these subjects. While it is normal for children and teens to be allowed some degree of privacy, they also need to be able to open up.
It should be possible for young people to establish and sustain wholesome relationships with others. Along with their classmates, this also involves their siblings, parents, and teachers. If there are pets in the house, they should also get along well with the other non-human family members.
It must be possible for kids and teens to establish and sustain wholesome relationships with others. Although it’s usual for them to show some degree of hesitation when it comes to adjustments in their schedules or routines, they have to be able to adapt with others’ help. Strong coping skills are a sign of children having healthy mental health.
Now that we understand some signs of positive mental health, it is time to take a closer look at the common mental health disorders affecting children and teenagers to help you become educated and better support your child.
Some children have more difficulty paying attention in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In contrast, other children have a more challenging time with hyperactivity, such as being unable to sit still for a constant interval of time, displaying immediate responses, and acting before thinking things through.
ADHD is difficult to diagnose because the parents believe their kid is going through a phase. However, if the parent notices a change in the child’s behavior, they shouldn’t hesitate to see a psychologist for an accurate diagnosis.
Moreover, parents must understand that almost two-thirds of young adults with ADHD also struggle with other disorders such as behavior disorder, anxiety, or depression.
The second most prevalent mental illness in children is depression. It involves frequent periods of extreme negativity in mood, thought, and motivation. Children affected by this disorder usually feel helpless, lonely, and lack energy or motivation. They have feelings of constant sadness, a loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities, and are unable to function well at school or interact with their peers.
Depression can affect attendance at school, relationships, and the general performance of teens. Social withdrawal may result in isolation and heighten the symptoms of depression in adolescents, particularly in recent years because of the pandemic. If a teen shows signs of depression, parents must push them to visit a doctor.
The most prevalent disorder among youngsters is anxiety disorder, often seen as a developmental stage in children.
Anxiety disorders aren’t just isolated feelings of anxiety. They are more severe than the usual anxiety – they affect a child’s daily living.
This makes the youngster fearful, reticent, suppressed, and tense. When they avoid going to familiar places or engaging in everyday activities, they will sulk and become unhappy.
There are numerous types of anxiety disorders, so you must schedule a consultation with your doctor if you think your teen may be developing one.
Panic attacks are among the most significant problems associated with anxiety. A panic episode can be quickly recognized, de-escalated, and treated to reduce the child’s suffering.
In countries like India, parents express their love by feeding their children until their belly pops. At some point, the kid avoids eating.
But, for a child to have an unstoppable appetite is a huge problem.
Teens struggling with an eating disorder may deny hunger, refuse to eat, and often exercise to exhaustion. They might also consume a lot of food in a short length of time, say during a few hours.
In adolescence and the early 20s, eating disorders are “much more common,” according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
It’s crucial to note that while girls are more likely to suffer from an eating disorder, boys are often left untreated.
The following are some crucial CDC data:
When parents, teachers, and kids are aware of how prevalent mental illnesses are, it becomes simpler for everyone to be open about problems that may be affecting their life – and If someone has symptoms, they can seek the support they need.
Are you looking for additional information about children and teens’ mental health? You may find our best-selling book “The Art of Parenting Children With Mental Health Challenges” helpful.
Nuwan Samarapathi
www.dreamarrows.com
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