Many people wonder if children also suffer from mental illnesses. Learn in this article the most important information related to mental illnesses in children. The use of violence, wrong upbringing, and unhealthy surrounding environmental factors affect children psychologically. What are the most important mental illnesses in children?
Psychological diseases in children
Children suffer from mental illness just like adults, but in a different way. Here are the most important types of mental illness in children:
1. Anxiety disorders
Anxiety disorders affect children and cause them fear and stress when trying to participate in play or any social activities.
2. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Children with ADHD suffer from a lack of focus and hyperactivity when compared to their peers of the same age.
3. Autism spectrum disorder
Autism spectrum disorder is one of the neurological problems that appear in childhood before the age of three, and these children often face problems in communicating and communicating with others.
4. Eating disorders
Some children face the problem of eating disorders, which is largely related to how children think about reaching the ideal weight.
Some children with this disorder stop eating altogether, which causes them many health problems.
5. Binge eating disorder
Children with binge-eating disorder eat different foods, causing them many health problems.
6. Depression
Some children become depressed, which causes them to feel very sad and lose the desire to do many tasks and communicate with others.
7. Post-traumatic stress disorder
Some children suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder if they are exposed to violence, assault, or various accidents, which causes them stress, anxiety, and constant nightmares.
8. Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia causes a person to lose touch with reality, in addition to delusions and hallucinations that afflict a person.
Children often develop schizophrenia in their teens and late twenties.
What causes mental illness in children?
There is no single and clear reason why children suffer from mental illness, but this matter is sometimes linked to several factors, here are the most important of them:
Heredity: Children are more likely to develop mental illness if the disease is inherited in the family.
Human biology: Some mental illnesses result from an imbalance in the nerve impulses within the brain, which lead to children getting sick.
Neurological trauma: Some mental illnesses result in children as a result of their exposure to difficult and influential life situations, one of which is physical and emotional neglect.
Environmental conditions: Mental illness develops in children, especially when there is a susceptibility to this within a toxic and stressful environment.
Indicators of mental illness in children
The following are some of the symptoms that may appear in children and are an indication of mental illness, which requires a doctor''s review:
The child feels sad and isolated for two weeks or more.
The child tries to harm himself in any way or thinks about it.
Extreme sadness or fear for no reason, with an increased heartbeat and sometimes rapid breathing.
Getting into many problems with harming others, especially when using hurtful tools to do so.
Loss of self-control and self-harm.
Intentionally avoiding eating or vomiting.
Constant stress that interferes with daily tasks.
Difficulty concentrating, especially during the educational process.
Use of any prohibited substances or drugs.
Severe mood disturbances.
A sharp change in personality or behavior.
Can children be protected from mental illness?
The role of parents is very important in order to prevent their children from developing any mental illness. Here are the most important tips in this regard:
Protect children and keep them away from any source of violence around them.
Maintain healthy and deep family relationships and bonds.
Always support, encourage and protect children.
Seeking medical treatment in the event that parents suffer from any mental illness, as this helps in educating their children about this disease and protecting them from infection.
