Mental health is the overall wellness of how you think, regulate your feelings and behave. A mental illness, or mental health disorder, is defined as patterns or changes in thinking, feeling or behaving that cause distress or disrupt a person’s ability to function. Mental health disorders in children are generally defined as delays or disruptions in developing age-appropriate thinking, behaviors, social skills or regulation of emotions. These problems are distressing to children and disrupt their ability to function well at home, in school or in other social situations. Parents may find it challenging to recognize a child’s mental condition. Recognize the symptoms of childhood mental illness and learn how to support your child. Because typical childhood development is a changing process, it might be challenging to comprehend mental health concerns in children. Additionally, a child’s age may affect the symptoms of a condition, and children may not be able to articulate their feelings or the reasons behind their actions. Parents may be discouraged from getting treatment for a kid who has a suspected mental disorder for a variety of reasons. Parents, for instance, could worry about the stigma associated with mental illness, the use of medications, and the cost or logistical challenges of treatment. While some of the problems such as, anxiety disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), eating disorders, depression and other mood disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and schizophrenia should not be ignored. Mental health conditions in children are diagnosed and treated based on signs and symptoms and how the condition affects a child’s daily life. Diagnosing mental illness in children can take time because young children may have trouble understanding or expressing their feelings, and normal development varies. Your child’s health care provider may change or refine a diagnosis over time.
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