Parents are faced with multiple tasks in raising and protecting their children. While it is not often a popular subject, mental and behavioral health problems are a reality that affects children as young as elementary ages through high school students. Taking away the stigma of a mental illness diagnosis or disorder can be done by facing it head-on and realizing that solutions are often natural and effective with consistent care and support.
Learn the Basics about Mental Health Issues that Affect Children
Common diagnoses in children range from eating and mood disorders, depression, Autism spectrum disorder, addiction, anxiety disorders, and attention deficit disorders. Some of these results from birth and some are combinations of environment, social experiences, previous or current trauma, and coping skills. The good news is that parents can take proactive steps through obtaining more education on these issues to help their child overcome a diagnosis, or to reduce symptoms and live a high-quality life filled with joy and maximum potential.
Examples of Dual Diagnosis
Some normal examples of dual diagnosis include addiction and mood disorders. Attention deficit disorders and eating disorders also run hand-in-hand frequently. A diagnosis of epilepsy can lead to regularly occurring seizures that are not always visibly noticeable. Parents who take their children in for regular check-ups and who express behavior or physical concerns to primary care providers are taking a positive step forward in addressing any potential mental or emotional health issue their child may face.
Learn How to Take Mental Illness Seriously
Taking these issues seriously can be done by finding the right mental care professional to diagnose and treat a child. Holistic treatment that covers potential addictions, fears, anxieties, environmental stressors, and life skills are important. Additionally, treatments for behavioral issues should always be in partnership with physical health exams to rule out any possible physical cause for expressed concerns. It is frequent that mental health issues overlap with drug addiction in youth, often times mental health issues can cause teens to become addicted to things easily. Finding programs in your area to help youth overcome these addictions may be necessary. For example, if you live by Los Angeles, or in the SoCal area, you may need to find a rehab in Southern California that has experience dealing with people that have mental health disorders coupled with an addiction. By making an appointment with a primary care provider, you’re taking the best action to protect your child’s safety and future.
Taking problems children may face seriously can also look like reducing screen time for children. Screen time fosters addictive behaviors, leads to increased anxiety and sleeplessness, and affects a child’s ability to have healthy relationship-building skills. Each of these things is important to the health and well-being of a child, and being proactive about it is a significant way to help youth overcome a potential disorder or behavioral issue.
Everyday Routines that Make a Difference
While getting your child help and support through professional care is essential if you suspect there is a legitimate medical or behavioral concern, there are also simple steps you can take at home to assist your loved one in entering a stage of restoration. Restoration means recovering from a challenge, illness, trauma, or burden. Getting children outside for plenty of exercise is an ideal first action. Another action is to ensure there are regular family meals around the dinner table. These familial interactions provide valuable support and strengthen the family bond, something that is essential to a child’s well-being. In addition to these great steps, you can also begin a fun yoga class with your youth to help them learn how to relax and reduce stress. If yoga is not something you can get your child to go for, consider replacing it with hiking, an art class, or a dance class. Each of these things, when done for fun, contribute to an active and healthy lifestyle, and helping a child to refocus on positive interactions. to an active and healthy lifestyle, and helping a child to refocus on positive interactions.
