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The Impact of Mental Health Problems on Children: Signs, Risk Factors, and Support

Books – Hossam Al-Shaqwiri Monday, November 06, 2023 04:00 AM

Does not affect problems Psychological health Not only does it affect adults, but it can also affect children, as it causes disturbances in thinking, emotions, mood, and behavior, which in turn leads to great suffering for all the individuals around them, according to what was published by the onlymyhealth website.

Mental health disorder in children

Anxiety disorders, phobias, social anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders, oppositional disorder, and eating disorders are common in children. These are complex conditions affected by a combination of genetic, environmental and individual factors.

Risk factors for mental health problems in children

Family history: A family history of mental health disorders can increase the risk due to genetics

Adverse childhood experiences: such as abuse and neglect during childhood

Chronic medical conditions: such as chronic pain, cancer, and neurological disorders

Chronic stress: represented by high levels of constant stress

Substance abuse: Experimenting with drugs, alcohol and tobacco at an early stage

Childhood conditions: Such as ADHD, poor academic performance, and autism increase the risk of developing mental health problems

Symptoms of mental health problems in children

These symptoms manifest as changes in mood, behavior, school performance, relationships, and even physical health, and parents should remain vigilant and seek professional guidance when these symptoms persist for more than a few weeks without improvement.

The main signs that you should pay attention to

Persistent negative feelings: Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, guilt, worthlessness, or frequent mood swings.

Excessive anxiety: Excessive worry and irrational fears or phobias

Differences in eating and sleeping habits: Changes in eating behaviors (overeating or undereating, leading to weight fluctuations) and sleep disturbances

Loss of interest: Decreased enthusiasm for activities you previously enjoyed

Aggressive behavior: Aggressive behavior or irritability and frequent outbursts of anger

Unexplained physical complaints: Frequent complaints of headaches, stomach pain, changes in appetite, or unexplained weight loss.

Academic Decline: A sudden drop in academic performance or refusal to enroll in school

Fatigue: Suffering from low energy or chronic fatigue

Social Avoidance: Avoiding social situations

Self-harm behaviors: Actions that lead to self-harm, including cutting oneself, discussing self-harm, or thinking about suicide

Regression: Regressive behaviors, such as bed-wetting or thumb-sucking

Inability to concentrate or think clearly

Hair pulling behaviors

Neglecting personal hygiene

Child support

To reduce the risk of developing mental health disorders, several preventive factors can be helpful. Here are some tips recommended by experts:

Strong social network: Build supportive friendships, family relationships, and nurture interactions between friends

Healthy family relationships: Positive, nurturing, and stable relationships within the family and among peers

Coping Strategies: Learn and practice effective coping strategies, such as problem solving, stress management, and emotional regulation skills.

Physical Health: Maintain physical health through a balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep

-Education and skills development: Access to education and skills development

-Financial stability: Taking the necessary steps to ensure financial stability

-Community participation: Participation in community activities and volunteer work

-Timely health care: Seek help and health care when needed

2023-11-06 02:00:00

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