Spotting mental illness in children is difficult, which makes the problem all the more complicated. The result is that many children for whom treatment may have beneficial don’t get the help that they need. Before you dash off to a psychiatrist louisville ky residents should know how to spot mental illness warning signs in children and the best way to take to help them. When you suspect that your child has a mental health problem, you should know which therapists louisville ky to go to. In this article, we go all out to tell you everything you need to know about mental health problems in children. Read on to learn more.
What is Mental Illness in Children?
Children’s mental health problems can be described as disruptions or delays in developing age-appropriate thinking, social skills, or regulating emotions. More often than not, the problems cause distress to children and can impair their ability to function properly in school, at home, or in other social situations.
Common mental health problems in children
- Depression– Depression is today more prevalent in children and young adults than was the case a few decades ago. The situation is more likely to affect teenagers than children.
- Self-harm-It’s a common problem, especially in young people. There are people who believe that harming themselves through burning or cutting, for instance, helps them to deal with intense emotional pain.
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder or GAD- It causes young adults to become highly worried. Children starting or changing school may experience separation anxiety.
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder- PTSD occurs in people who have been through sexual or physical abuse, or those that have witnessed a traumatizing or frightening event. It can also affect a child that was the victim of severe bullying or violence.
- ADHD- Constantly impulsive and overacting children, and those that have difficulty remaining attentive, may have ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)
- Eating disorders– these usually start in a child’s teenage years and tend to affect girls more than boys. While eating disorders are rare in young people, they can severely impact a child’s development and physical health.
What should you do?
If you are worried about your child’s mental health condition, you should see a psychiatrist louisville ky right away. However, to spot the problem, guardians or parents are advised to listen to their young children and take their feelings seriously. Sometimes, all a child may want is a hug. Or, your child may want you to help them to change something, or even require practical help.
Negative feelings in young people and children usually pass. Still, it is advisable to seek the help of therapists louisville ky if the child suffers from distress for a long time. Also, if these feelings are interfering with their lives or disrupting family life, seek help ASAP.
If the child has problems at school, the best person to contact for help is their teacher, educational psychologist, school counselor, or school nurse. Otherwise, consult your primary health physician or talk to a health expert. They will assess the child and refer them to a specialist psychiatrist louisville ky where necessary.
Do not hesitate to seek help if your child of 25 years and below shows signs of mental health problems. Many organizations are ready to offer emotional support, advice, and other services. As a leading mental health provider, Kentucky Medical Health Clinic has trained and experienced therapists louisville ky residents can count on.
Warning Signs of Mental Illness in Children
There are warning signs of a child with mental health problems. Some of the things to look out for include:
- Never-ending sadness that persists for two weeks or longer
- Avoiding social interactions or withdrawing from them.
- Talking about hurting themselves or actually hurting themselves
- Talk of suicide or death
- Extreme irritability or outbursts
- Their eating habits change
- They have difficulty sleeping
- They miss or avoid school
- They struggle to concentrate
- They complain of frequent stomachaches or headaches
- Unexplained loss of weight
- Behavior is out of control and maybe harmful
- A decline in academic performance
- Missing school or avoiding it
Challenges to Treating Mental Health Disorders in Children
What makes it even more difficult to understand childhood mental health disorders is that normal development in children involves change. Also, the symptoms of mental disorders in children may vary based on their age. Additionally, children may be unable to explain their feelings or why they behave in a certain manner.
Some challenges faced in the treatment of childhood mental disorders include stigma linked with mental illnesses, logistical challenges, the use of medications, and the cost of treatment. These may stop a parent or guardian from getting help for a mental illness case. That is why you need to consult a psychiatrist louisville ky immediately after you learn that your child has a mental problem.
Mental Illness Effect on Children
A child’s mental health is critical to their overall health and wellbeing. Since mental disorders last long and rarely go away completely, they can continue through a person’s lifespan. When not diagnosed and treated early, children that have mental disorders end up having problems in school, at home, and also in their social life. These disorders can affect the healthy development of a child, which can cause problems that go well into adulthood.
Risk Factors of Mental Illness
Some risk factors can put some young people and children at a greater likelihood of experiencing mental health illness than others. But this does not mean that a child will definitely be diagnosed with mental problems.
Some risk factors include the following:
- Suffering from a chronic physical illness
- When a child is born of parents that had alcohol problems, mental health issues, or one that has had troubles with the law
- Losing a person close to you
- Homelessness or poverty
- Experiencing discrimination
- A child of separated or divorced parents
- Long-lasting difficulties at school
Conclusion
Mental illness in children is made all the more complicated by the fact that it’s not easy for parents to spot them early enough and seek treatment. To make it worse, these are usually conditions that can have a long-lasting impact on children, affecting them well into adulthood. The importance of early diagnosis and treatment cannot be overemphasized. It goes without saying that you should choose qualified therapists louisville ky residents can trust.