It seems more children are struggling with mental health than ever before, and with every new generation, the numbers increase. Children's mental health has become a significant concern over the last couple of decades. More kids are showing signs and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other conditions than ever before.
It's difficult to pinpoint why this increase is occurring, though professionals have their theories. Rather than asking why, we should focus on what to do in response. Learning what we can do to treat and care for children struggling with mental health is vital.
Mental health treatment for children may bear similarities to adult treatment, but there are also specific factors to consider when treating young people. Nevertheless, seeking the proper treatment for a child is vital now and for their future. Parents who have concerns regarding the mental health of their children should speak with their doctor today. They can offer advice and resources for parents to utilize to improve their children's mental health.
No matter how you slice it, mental health conditions affect everyone differently and can severely impact their daily functioning. In children, these effects can be more severe, impact their development, and cause problems that carry into adulthood. It's difficult to predict with complete accuracy how a child will be affected by a mental health condition. At the same time, it can be hard to differentiate between mental illness and acting out.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) puts it this way: "Children are sad, anxious, irritable, or aggressive at times, or they occasionally find it challenging to sit still, pay attention, or interact with others." You may recognize these behaviors in your child, and it may very well be just a phase or typical part of development.
On average, many children get diagnosed with conditions that begin in childhood. That may include "anxiety disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, depression and other mood disorders, eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)." These are only a handful of the myriad disorders a child may develop. Fortunately, all these conditions are treatable.
As a parent, it can be hard to recognize the signs of these or other mental health conditions. The NIMH indicates that parents should seek help if their child:
These are only a few signs to look out for. If any parent has concerns regarding their child's mental health or safety, speak with their doctor immediately.
Similar to mental health conditions in adults, the exact cause of mental illness in children is unknown. Many factors can influence the likelihood of a child developing a mental health condition. Those factors include:
Treatment is vital for any child with a mental health condition. If untreated, mental illness can impact a child's ability to function at home and school, cause other disorders to develop, and lead to future problems. That may include an increased risk of self-harming behaviors, suicide, and legal trouble.
As previously mentioned, severely traumatic events during childhood can increase the chances of developing SUD during the adolescent or teenage years or later in life. This occurrence will require a child to seek mental health and addiction treatment in the future. Parents can try to prevent such problems from arising by seeking treatment for their children's mental health now.
Children's mental health treatment is similar to treatment for adults. According to the NIMH, children's mental health treatment may include:
These treatments may be effective in improving the mental health of one's child or children. Methods such as these are vital, especially when preventing further issues throughout their teenage years or adulthood.
Millions of people across the United States struggle with a number of mental health conditions every day. When we go out, it's almost expected that at least one other person we encounter is trying to manage symptoms of mental illness. However, we often forget that many children may also be struggling with mental illness. Children's mental health has been a growing concern for the past few decades because it appears more children are exhibiting symptoms of mental illness as time goes on. There are many theories as to why that might be, but as parents, focusing on getting them quality treatment is vital. Call NorthStar Transitions at (303) 558-6400 to learn more about children's mental health today.
