Your children are your number one priority and, as a parent, you want only the best for them. That’s why you should be aware of the symptoms that may indicate your child is suffering from a mental illness.
Did you know that an alarming number of adolescents and children are diagnosed with conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), behavioral disorders, anxiety and depression each year?
In many cases, there are warning signs that parents can be watching in order to respond quickly if they are present.
Consider these statistics:
- One in four people will experience a mental health condition.
- Half of the mental health issues begin before age 14.
- One in six children aged 2-8 has some kind of mental, behavioral or developmental disorder.
- Depression and anxiety diagnoses increase as kids age.
- One in five young people has a mental illness.
By being able to recognize and identify the symptoms of mental illness, you will be better able to care for and support your kids.
If your son or daughter is exhibiting behaviors such as aggression, frequent nightmares, extreme weight loss or gain, thoughts of suicide, insomnia, loss of interest in friends or activities, or difficulties separating from a parent, it could mean that it’s time to seek out professional help.
See the attached resource for a full list of symptoms, as well as tips about what parents or caregivers can do to help — from listening to their child and letting them talk through their problems to checking in with teachers and school counselors.
About The Author:
Bijan Farhangui is the founder and CEO of SAMI-Aid, an online healthcare company that offers virtual urgent care services in the form of affordable phone and video calls with board-certified physicians. He used his knowledge and experience of business and healthcare to bring efficiency to the healthcare marketplace.
Mental Health Wellness Guide created by Sami-Aid
