Introduction
Health is the most important thing in our lives. We can have a mansion, a dozen cars, a million dollars in the bank and travel all over the world but none of that would matter if we didn’t have our health to enjoy it all. Many people work hard every day to maintain their health as long as possible by exercising, eating healthy, taking vitamins, reducing stress and giving up bad habits such as smoking. With all this concern about our physical health, we often forget that there is another aspect of health that is often forgotten about and considered too taboo to discuss and that is mental health. It is very important to keep our minds and brains sharp and be aware of the symptoms of some mental disorders that can affect people. Although some adults do develop mental health problems as they age, it is more common these problems to begin either at birth or at a very young age.
Child mental health is often hard to diagnose and tend to because it is hard to detect mental problems in children but there are signs to look out for and there are signs to look out for in adults who may have had a condition their whole lives but symptoms may only present themselves noticeable as they get older. Below are some of the early signs of child mental health problems and some things you can do if you suspect your child may have something wrong or you can do for yourself as an adult who may be experiencing some of these symptoms.
History
If you notice anything unusual or out-of-sorts with your child, that should always be a sign that something may be wrong and should be watched carefully even though most times it will only be something minor. Some symptoms that could indicate a child mental health problem are:
1) Change in eating habits
2) Change in mood and personality
3) A quiet child may all of a sudden become loud or a loud child may start to clam up more often.
4) Violent behavior towards other family members and peers
5) Disruptive in class
6) Impulsiveness and reckless behavior
7) Forgets things easily
8) Has trouble adjusting to new surroundings
9) Seems depressed or actually comes out and says they are depressed
10) Self-injury
11) Drug or alcohol use
12) Trouble sleeping
13) Temper tantrums
Features
In adults who may have had an underlying child mental health problem, symptoms that that problem could be manifesting later in life include:
1) Sudden depression
2) Loss of appetite
3) Unable to get along with other people
4) Physical health problems
5) Unable to cope with stress
6) Substance abuse
7) Sleep problems
8) Confused thinking
9) Social withdrawal
10) Hallucinations
Tips and comments
Some child mental health disorders that can develop in childhood include schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, personality disorders and social disorders. Other less serious and more common disorders including the developmental of phobias and withdrawal from peers and sometimes a child or adult may develop depression at one time or several times over the course of their lives but never develop an actual condition.
