Protecting Your Child's Mental Health

You have Band-Aids® for scuffed knees, acetaminophen for fevers and warm milk for sleepless nights. But what do you have for what you can't see - the rumblings of your child's mind?

Children and teens may not be able to express themselves in the same ways as adults, but they may be just as prone to such mental illnesses as bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders and depression. At least one in 10 children and teens in the United States has a mental illness, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Fewer than one in five is treated.

If left untreated, mental disorders can lead to trouble in school, drug abuse, violence and even suicide. In fact, many of these children will have mental illnesses as adults. Heading off mental disorders as quickly as possible is your best bet for helping your child succeed in school, develop socially and live life to its fullest.

Signs of mental illness in a child may not be obvious because your child or teen may not have the emotional development or verbal skills to be able to express his or her feelings.

Your child may show one or more of these signs:

• Frequent periods of sadness and hopelessness
• Anger and hostility
• Frequent crying
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Constant worrying or anxiety
• Obsession with physical problems or personal appearance
• Slipping grades
• Loss of interest in friends or other things once enjoyed
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Unexplained changes in eating habits
• Avoidance of family and friends
• Moodiness or mood swings
• Talk about harming oneself
• Nightmares

There's plenty you can do:

• Talk to your child's doctor. Make a list of symptoms or behaviors you have noticed in your child and bring this to your visit. Make note of the frequency of these symptoms.
• Ask your child about her feelings. How does she feel? When does she have these feelings? Why does she think she feels the way she does? Write this down and bring it to your doctor.
• If your child is talking about harming himself or hurting others, call 9-1-1.
• Talk to your child's school counselor to see how she can be helped at school. Speak with her teachers.
• Be your child's advocate. If you don't think the treatment your child's doctor is prescribing is helpful or right for him, speak up. If he doesn't like his doctor or if you think the problem is not being addressed, see someone else.
• Keep detailed records of medications and appointments.
• Look at the child's environment. Has there been a move to a new house? Did you have another baby recently? Has someone close to your child died? Make note of these things and discuss them with your child's doctor.
• Listen to your child. Spend time with her. Above all, just be there. While you didn't cause the mental illness, you can help treat it by being supportive and by listening. Give her plenty of hugs and kisses.

Never assume that your child's problems will go away on their own. Only a doctor can tell you what the problem may be.

Sources:

National Institute of Mental Health

National Mental Health Information Center

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.