The COVID pandemic has introduced new sources of stress into children’s lives. At the same time, social distancing restrictions have limited people’s access to social support. This makes children more vulnerable to mental illness.
Be attentive to your child’s behavior. Look for signs of stress, frustration, or negative emotions. Some anxiety, emotion, or difficulty adjusting is normal when school starts. Severe or persistent problems that cause distress could indicate mental illness.
Once they can do something they will continue to do it on their own because it creates a sense of accomplishment.
Dennis Delois
Mental Health Problems During Childhood
A child that experiences frequent, distressing anxiety could have an anxiety disorder.
If a specific event, location, or situation triggers anxiety, this could indicate Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Children with PTSD might experience nightmares, emotional outbursts, hypervigilance, or other signs of fear and withdrawal.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) involves difficulty understanding the thoughts and emotions of others. Children with ASD might exhibit unusual behaviors or have difficulty playing or socializing with others.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) involves difficulty following instructions or staying on task. This could lead to frustration with schoolwork and emotional outbursts.
Children may develop eating disorders. They might become fixated on losing weight. As a result, they could develop a negative body image and have difficulty controlling their eating habits.
Schizophrenia can sometimes develop in later childhood or early adulthood. Signs of schizophrenia include delusions or false beliefs and disorganized thinking.
What should you do if your child shows symptoms of mental illness?
- Listen to your child.
- Encourage your child to express their feelings.
- Talk to teachers and others to understand your child’s behavior.
- Talk to your child’s doctor and consult a mental health professional.
Don’t wait for your child to “get over” or “grow out of” mental health problems. At RevUp, we empower children in the Jupiter, FL, community to help them succeed. Take the first steps today to improve your child’s state of mind. Call today at 561-358-7730.