A mental disorder is an illness of the mind that can affect the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of a person, preventing him or her from leading a happy, healthful and productive life. All mental disorders that can be diagnosed and begin in childhood (for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Tourette syndrome, behavior disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorders, substance use disorders, etc.). The child’s mental health involves the mental functioning and the way a child behaves and handles some instances of life. Exploring the physiological process, the neurology of a child and focusing on key areas like concentration, mind functioning, emotions, acuity, character and cognition to help properly diagnose the child.
Mental health issues can manifest at any time with varying degrees of significance on the emotional stability of a person. Symptoms of mental disorders usually start in early childhood, but some of the disorders may develop throughout the teenage years. The diagnosis is often made in the school years and sometimes earlier. Although some children with a mental disorder may not be recognized or diagnosed as having one. A variety of circumstances can evoke these mental health issues. Now imagine coping with these mental health issues and being expected to still be a normal student and conform to your peers around you.
Various mental disorders affect many children and families. Boys and girls of all ages, and ethnic or racial backgrounds, and any demographic, mental disorders do not discriminate. Many of the mental disorders are deeply rooted in our genetics and they also factor in our unbalanced modern day lifestyles. Children are also under copious amount of pressure to always succeed and be successful. Then that makes them too afraid to fail. We learn from our failings and we grow from them.
Teens especially, are at a position in their lives when they must face significant and sometimes difficult life transitions and peer pressures. They are simply just trying to identify with themselves and trying to figure out where there puzzle piece fits in society, all of which can show the way to behavioral and emotional changes. This is also a stage when families suffer from poor communication: teenagers often tend to keep their feelings and concerns to themselves away from their parents and other authority figures. Without communication, children typically get lost in their emotions and struggle with how to deal with them. Since children may not be able to describe what they are feeling, so they might show their feelings through behavior.
If the proper diagnosis is not formed during childhood, then the likelihood of the child carrying this well into adulthood is very high. In a recent article by parenting magazine states: “Nearly a third of all children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) continue to have ADHD into adulthood, according to an alarming new 20-year study that followed children with the disorder. The majority of those adults who still live with their childhood ADHD are subject to heightened risks of additional mental health issues and nearly five times the risk of suicide, according to the study.” (Bariker, n.d., para. 1)
Early diagnosis and appropriate services for children and their families can make a difference in the lives of children with mental disorders. Childhood mental disorders can be treated and managed throughout the child’s life. There are many treatment options, so parents and doctors should work closely with everyone involved in the child's treatment like teachers, coaches, therapists, or other family members. However, it is very essential that adolescents with mental illness like depression should get assistance on handling their problems. Taking advantage of all the resources available will help parents, health professionals and educators guide the child towards success.
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