| It can be difficult to diagnose a mental | | | | already listed, a child may start refusing to |
| health or anxiety problem in a child, simply | | | | go to school, or get up in the morning or go |
| because their changing moods and behaviour | | | | to bed at night. They may say they dont want |
| can often be attributed to a normal part of | | | | to attend weekly clubs and activities they |
| the growing up process, however, there are | | | | used to frequent, or they may not wish to see |
| certain signs and symptoms that might | | | | their friends anymore. They can fall behind |
| indicate a child is suffering more than what | | | | with schoolwork, become violent and display |
| would be considered normal and they may need | | | | other unsociable and or strange behaviours; |
| some sort of help to get back to their old | | | | they may also hold unusual beliefs, feel |
| self again. | | | | paranoid or in severe cases may suffer from |
| | | | hallucinations and or delusions. |
| It is perfectly natural for a child to feel | | | | |
| anxious at times, for example, when facing | | | | These are just a few of the ways that mental |
| exams or particularly difficult situations, | | | | illness can manifest itself in the behaviour |
| but when the anxiety is persistent and severe | | | | of a child who is suffering mental distress |
| enough to affect the childs day to day life | | | | and anxiety, the important thing is to |
| and normal routines then the child could be | | | | understand that the child is really in need |
| suffering from an underlying mental health | | | | of proper treatment, understanding and |
| problem that requires some kind of | | | | support as they cant help their actions. |
| intervention. | | | | |
| | | | Mental illness affects how we think, feel and |
| What to look out for | | | | understand ourselves and how we fit into the |
| | | | world around us, as such it can alter a |
| Recognising the symptoms of persistent | | | | childs behaviour and damage their |
| anxiety and mental distress and doing | | | | relationships and their education. It wont |
| something about it is vital if the child is | | | | just go away and without help, the child can |
| to get the kind of help he or she needs. Some | | | | suffer needlessly for months or years as well |
| signs and symptoms to look out for that could | | | | as increasing the risk of attempted suicide |
| indicate the onset of an anxiety or | | | | or even death. |
| depression related disorder include the | | | | |
| following: | | | | So what causes mental illness in children? |
| | | | |
| Feelings of sadness, despair and hopelessness | | | | There is no single identifiable reason why a |
| | | | child becomes overly anxious or develops a |
| Often fearful and scared for no particular | | | | mental health problem but there are some |
| reason | | | | factors that appear to increase the risk of |
| | | | suffering from some form of mental health |
| Unable to think clearly or make decisions, | | | | problem. |
| confusion | | | | |
| | | | Genetics , mental illness can be handed down |
| Showing signs of extreme anger and hostility | | | | in the genes so if there is a history of |
| towards others | | | | mental illness in the family then there is an |
| | | | increased risk of a child suffering from |
| Feeling guilty and worthy of blame and | | | | mental illness too |
| punishment | | | | |
| | | | Stress , sometimes if there are other events |
| Thinking they are unloved and unlovable | | | | going on in their lives, for example, |
| | | | divorce, physical illness, death of a loved |
| Appearing anxious, fidgety, and irritable a | | | | one, money problems, bullying at school etc. |
| lot of the time | | | | then the stress can become too much to cope |
| | | | with and can trigger a mental illness |
| Seeming to be tired all the time | | | | |
| | | | Diet, research indicates that if the diet is |
| Sleeping too much or not sleeping at all | | | | too rich in Omega 6 and there is not enough |
| | | | Omega 3 in the form of oily fish or fish oil |
| Holding strange beliefs or displaying unusual | | | | then the imbalance of fatty acids in the |
| or compulsive behaviours | | | | brain can influence brain function and |
| | | | increase the risk of depression, ADHD, and |
| Disinterested in activities they used to | | | | other mood and behaviour disorders |
| enjoy | | | | |
| | | | Environment , abuse, neglect and feeling |
| Thinking or talking about death and suicide | | | | unloved and uncared for can lead to anxiety |
| | | | and mental distress |
| It is of course perfectly normal for a child | | | | |
| to experience one or more of these symptoms | | | | Conclusion |
| in a mild form from time to time, however, in | | | | |
| mental illness the symptoms can become so | | | | If your child is displaying signs of anxiety |
| severe and so overwhelming for the child to | | | | or mental illness, talk to your child and |
| the extent that they may feel unable to cope | | | | encourage them to explore their feelings and |
| with their lives. If excessive anxiety and/or | | | | of course, speak to your doctor in order to |
| other symptoms appear to be interfering with | | | | obtain a correct diagnoses and possible |
| your childs ability to carry out their day to | | | | treatment options as it is vital that these |
| day routines and other normal activities then | | | | symptoms are addressed. With proper help and |
| you should speak to your doctor. | | | | support, most children will go on to make a |
| | | | full recovery and will be able to enjoy their |
| For example, as well as some of the symptoms | | | | lives once again. |