A mentally healthy child has a positive quality of life. Mental disorders among children are generally defined as disruptions in the ability of functioning. Warning signals of mental illness may vary from child to child .Factors effecting mental illness include heredity , brain chemistry or surrounding environment.
What is Mental Illness?
The overall wellness of how you think and regulate your feelings comes under mental health. A mental health disorder are patterns or changes in the overall functioning of your behaviour. It can cause distress or disrupt the ability to function properly. These problems may hinder day to day activities at homes, in schools or in other social situations.
Mental Health In Children
Mental health problems affect about 1 in 10 children. Such problems make changes in physical, mental and emotional well-being of children as they progress through their natural growth. Recognising the warning signals of mental illness is important for the treatment of your child.
Which Mental Health Conditions are Common in Children?
There are certain kinds of mental disorders which are quite common among children.
-
- Anxiety Disorders
Children with anxiety disorders respond differently to certain things. Physical signs of anxiety such as nervousness, rapid heartbeat and sweating are commonly found in children.
-
- Behaviour Disorders
Kids with these kinds of disorders tend to defy rules and are disruptive in structured environments.
-
- Eating Disorders
Eating disorders involve intense emotions and mood swings among kids. Their unusual behaviours are associated with weight and food.
-
- Learning and Communication Disorders
Such disorders may cause problems in storing and processing information as well as related to thoughts and ideas.
-
- Attention deficit/hyperactivity Disorder
Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity syndrome have difficulty with attention. They often suffer from impulsive behaviour or hyperactivity.
-
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
This neurological condition appears in early childhood. The severity of this disorder may vary and the child will have difficulty in communicating and interacting with others.
-
- Depression
It is one of the root causes of Mental Illness in Children. There is a feeling of sadness that can disrupt a child’s ability to function properly. Bipolar disorders result in extreme mood swings and are risky or unsafe.
Signs of Mental Illness among Children:
It is difficult to understand mental health disorders among children as symptoms may vary. The warning signals that a child may have in a mental health disorder includes:
- Persistent Sadness
- Avoiding social interactions
- Changes in eating habits or mood swings
- Difficulty in sleeping
- Talking about bad things or suicide
- Difficulty in concentration
- Out-of-control behaviour which may become harmful
- Drastic changes in personality
- Changes in the academic performance
Causes of Mental Illness
Research suggests that a combination of factors can contribute towards mental illness in children. These factors are:
-
- Heredity
Sometimes mental illness runs in families. It means likelihood to develop a mental order may pass from parents to children.
-
- Biology
Certain mental disorders are linked to special chemicals in the brain. Neurotransmitters are nerve cells in the brain that allow for proper communication. But if these chemicals are out of balance the message may not make it through the brain correctly. It can also cause injury to certain areas of the brain.
-
- Environmental Stress
Traumatic events can also trigger mental illness. These events are so impactful to harm the activities of the brain.
How to Diagnose Mental Illness?
Parents should not neglect warning signs, and changing behaviour . Behaviours like sadness, mood swings, anxiety, strange eating habits , resisting routine activities , resistance to get along with peers/family should be taken into strong consideration.
These symptoms can last for a long time and can occur at an unusual age. The doctor can evaluate the symptoms by physical /psychological examination ,and through medical history. There are no such lab tests to specifically diagnose mental disorders. However,Once diagnosis is psychological assessment through counseling sessions and medication it can be treated.
Things or Steps That Can Help Children to Stay Mentally Well Includes:
- To be active listener to child’s stories.
- Involve child into decision making tasks.
- Let the child be expressive about his/her likes & dislikes.
- Try to figure out child’s resisting behaviour then to force the child to behave in certain way.
- Don’t put too much rules on child’s earlier stage of development.
- Regular exercises and eating a balanced diet
- Taking part in local activities or participating in social gatherings
- Being part of the family and sharing problems with them
- A good physical health and eating a balanced diet
- Being hopeful and positive
- Having a sense of belongingness in family and community
- Accepting your strength and weaknesses
- Taking interest in life and seizing the opportunities to enjoy.
Amandeep Group of Hospital
Amandeep Group of Hospitals is one of the leading healthcare providers in North India. With the vision of Every Life is Important, the hospital aims at providing highest quality services. At Amandeep hospital, you can get expertise from highly qualified doctors with the track record of treating complicated cases.
The hospital is listed among the best neurology hospitals in India. The department of neurology is dedicated towards giving the best treatment at an affordable cost. Its dedicated department of Neurology has the best neuro specialists. Patients with various neurological disorders can get the best treatment under one roof.