6 Signs Your Child Might Have A Mental Illness

Mental illness can impact anyone, regardless of age, gender or socioeconomic background. In fact, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five Americans will experience a diagnosable mental illness at some point in their lifetime. Unfortunately, many parents don’t recognize the signs and symptoms of mental illness in their children until it’s too late. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that suicide is the third leading cause of death among young adults aged 15 to 29, making it extremely important for parents to be aware of the red flags associated with various types of mental illnesses.

What Is Mental Illness?

Mental illness is a condition that affects a person’s mental health and ability to function normally. It can be caused by a variety of factors, from genetics and biology to psychological issues such as stress and relationship problems. The illness may also be triggered by a medical condition, traumatic event or substance abuse. Bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia and eating disorders are just a few examples of mental illnesses that may affect children. If you notice any of the following signs of mental illness in your child, you should seek professional help right away. This is particularly important if your child is experiencing multiple signs.

Depression in Children

As with adults, children can experience several different types of depression. The type of depression your child has depends on the severity of their symptoms. - Clinical depression: Clinical depression is a persistent mental illness that causes feelings of sadness and loss of interest in daily activities. While everyone feels down from time to time, clinical depression is different from normal sadness in that it lasts much longer (greater than two weeks) and impairs everyday functioning. - Post-traumatic stress disorder: Some children who experience a traumatic event go on to develop PTSD. Signs of this type of depression include re-experiencing the trauma through nightmares or flashbacks, avoiding situations that remind a child of the traumatic event and feeling hypervigilant or having trouble concentrating. - Seasonal affective disorder: This type of depression is related to changes in the seasons. It is most common in autumn and winter, and it affects more women than men. - Bipolar disorder: Some children who experience bipolar disorder also have depression. If your child’s mood swings are accompanied by other symptoms of bipolar disorder, such as impulsive behavior, they must get treatment to prevent a full-blown episode.

Bipolar Disorder in Children

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes extreme shifts in a person’s mood, energy and ability to think clearly. When a person has bipolar disorder, they go through periods of depression and periods of mania, which are very different from the ups and downs of daily life. Bipolar disorder in children may be hard for parents to spot because it can look different from how it presents in adults. There are three types of bipolar disorder that children can experience: - Bipolar I Disorder: Bipolar I disorder is the most severe type of bipolar disorder. Children with this type of bipolar disorder may experience a sudden and dramatic increase in mood and energy levels which is known as a manic episode. Bipolar I can also manifest as a depressive episode followed by a period of hypomania, or mild mania. - Bipolar II Disorder: Bipolar II disorder is less severe than Bipolar I disorder, but still requires treatment. Symptoms of bipolar II include depressive episodes and periods of hypomania, which is similar to mania but less intense. - Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (BP-NOS): This type of bipolar disorder is less severe than Bipolar I or Bipolar II, but it still requires treatment to prevent it from becoming more severe over time.

Anxiety in Children

Some children experience anxiety that is short-lived and not severe enough to be diagnosed as an anxiety disorder. Other children experience more serious anxiety that can lead to anxiety disorders. What can help differentiate normal anxiety from a disorder? Anxiety that lasts for several weeks or months and gets in the way of daily activities is likely a disorder. - Separation anxiety disorder: This disorder affects children who experience extreme anxiety when their parent(s) leaves them. This is a normal part of development for some kids, but if it interferes with their daily activities and continues for several weeks, it may be separation anxiety disorder or another type of anxiety disorder. - Social anxiety disorder: This disorder is characterized by extreme fear and avoidance of social situations, such as school and friends. - Generalized anxiety disorder: This disorder causes children to worry excessively and have the unrealistic worry that doesn’t have a specific focus. - Panic disorder: This disorder is characterized by sudden moments of intense anxiety, often accompanied by physical symptoms such as racing heart and dizziness. - Obsessive-compulsive disorder: This disorder causes children to have repetitive thoughts and behaviors that they can’t control.

Eating Disorders in Children

Eating disorders can have devastating health consequences that can last a lifetime, including damage to the heart, kidneys and brain. While some eating disorders are linked to genetics, eating disorders are often triggered by an event or stressful situation. Eating disorders in children include: - Anorexia: Anorexia is an eating disorder in which a child significantly restricts their intake of food. With anorexia, children may be normal weight, underweight or have an altered perception of their body weight and shape. - Bulimia: Bulimia is an eating disorder in which a child regularly binges on large amounts of food, followed by self-induced vomiting or use of laxatives to undo the damage the food has done to their body. - Binge eating disorder: Binge eating disorder is an eating disorder in which a child regularly binges on large amounts of food, but doesn’t purge after eating.

Schizophrenia in Children

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that often begins in adolescence or early adulthood. While schizophrenia presents differently in children than it does in adults, parents need to know the signs of this disorder. Schizophrenia in children can manifest in several ways, including delusions and hallucinations. Delusions are false beliefs, such as thinking that a child is a famous person or the parent is trying to hurt them. Schizophrenia in children can also be signified by disorganized speech and behavior, such as talking to themselves or behaving inappropriately in public.

Conclusion

Mental illness is a real and serious issue that impacts millions of people each year. While some mental illnesses start in adulthood, many develop in childhood. Parents can help prevent mental illness in their kids by getting them the emotional support they need early on. If you notice any signs of mental illness in your child, don’t hesitate to seek help. If you’d like to learn more about mental illness, NAMI is a great resource for parents and caregivers. NAMI hosts workshops and other events for parents, caregivers, teachers and teens about how to recognize the symptoms of mental illness.