Mental Illness and Children
In the US mental illness has become a hot topic and for good reason. More and more people are being diagnosed with a mental illness and need to be treated.
However, mental illness is not just for adults, children may be affected as well. For this reason don’t dismiss your kids feelings, instead really listen to how they feel. It is especially important during the adolescence age (11, 12, 13) because that’s when their hormones can really set off mental disorders.
No matter how your kid feels due to hormones or mental disorder, listen to them and validate their feelings. Be persistent with it. If the feelings are persistent and their behaviors are persistent it could be a disorder.
In the end you know your child best. The key is to be aware of their feelings and behaviour. See how they act around others, monitor their social media usage, and be involved in their everyday activities.
If you feel your child may have a mental illness, the first step is to talk to a pediatrician to make sure their is no physical disorder. The pediatrician is the best person to say where to go and what to do next.
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