There is a dark epidemic which parents sincerely need to become increasingly aware of, a plague that is tormenting children across the world. Anxiety disorders come in many different varieties; obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety, and various other forms. Often people can have a mixture of these disorders, making it difficult for parents to identify the problem. Children are specifically vulnerable to the horrors of mental illness, simply by virtue of the fact that they get highly confused and rarely understand that they have an illness. So if you are a parent, this message is directed primarily towards you. Don’t let your child suffer silently; if you notice significant abnormalities, do not hesitate to mention it to a family doctor or psychiatrist.
Parents who know little of such illnesses tend to write their child’s eccentric behavior off as ‘weirdness’ or beat themselves up for not raising them correctly. It is important to note that mental disorders do have genetic roots, and as such should not be solely attributed to environment. If you’re a parent, there are many actions you can take to identify and treat these disorders.
Children with anxiety disorders often exhibit irregular thought processes; repetitive behaviors, depression, and powerful waves of anxiety are not uncommon. The child may also report stomachaches, or various other medical issues. Symptoms of anxiety disorders frequently vary with each particular disorder, but as a parent you can become suspicious if your child exhibits behavior that centers around irrational fears or frightening thoughts. To a child, these fears are profoundly real, regardless of how silly they may seem to the parent.
If you notice that your child is experiencing these difficulties, calmly and kindly question him or her about it. Ask thoughtful questions, in order to understand your child’s thought processes. Never harass or cause the child to feel abnormal in any way. Afterword, you should contact a medical professional with advice on how to proceed with your child. Medication can often help, as well as sessions with a therapist. With proper professional assistance, your child could potentially resolve many of the mental demons tormenting them day and night.
References
National Institute of Mental Health. December 19th, 2011. National Institutes of Health.
December 19th, 2011. .