CHILDREN EMOTIONAL DISORDERS
Certain changes in the behavior of the child might be a sign of distress. Understanding the illness is important to support the mental health of the child.
Mental disorders:
It includes the serious changes which can lead to problems related to learning, emotions, and behaviors.
Recognition of the mental illness:
Parents or guardian must be aware of the routine of the child to diagnose the behavioral fluctuations at the early stage. Hormonal changes can be a factor but sudden changes in the eating habits, sleep schedule, daily routine are some potential warning signals.
Common mental disorders among children are discussed here.
ANXIETY:
Anxious child presents a fearful and worried look and is sometimes irritable and worried. Usual symptoms are insomnia, fatigue, headache etc. Some anxious children don’t open up to anyone and their symptoms can be missed.
DEPRESSION:
Depression is termed as a mood disorder. It makes the person feel sad, irritable, and hopeless. Children lose interest in their hobbies, games, studies. Many of the growing children face anxiety and depression side by side. It’s a highly treatable.
POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD):
Any traumatic event , such as car crash, abuse, war etc can cause PTSD. The affected child may have nightmares and flashbacks. A child gets scary thoughts of the event and find it terrifying both physically and emotionally. It can last 6 months or much longer throughout the life.
ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVE DISORDER (ADHD):
It is a neurodevelopmental disorder. Child with ADHD have trouble controlling impulsive behaviors. They are hyperactive in their behaviors and have trouble staying still. It is treatable, either with the help of behavioral therapy or medications. According to research, it was estimated that around 6.1 million children aged 3 to 17 years have been diagnosed with ADHD.