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Below this first paragraph is an excerpt from When Something's Wrong Handbook: Ideas for Families (PDF format), which can be downloaded for free from the Canadian Psychiatric Research Foundation. Just click on the image with the same title at this link HERE to continue with the wonderful suggestions in this segment, Managing Problem Behaviour in Children, of the handbook. The handbook includes many other topics such as suicide, Tourette Syndrome, Borderline Personality Disorder, Mood Disorders, Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders, Schizophrenia, Eating Disorders, Anxiety Disorders and Working With Your Health Practitioner.
Research shows that one in five children have a mental health problem and that this number may be even higher due to underreporting. Many children exhibit difficulties both at home and in school, showing problems with mood, behaviour, or thinking. It?s important to highlight that some children with these difficulties may have a brain dysfunction, and/or a language or learning disability for which effective treatment is available.
Early identification and treatment is vitally important, since rapid attention can dramatically improve outcomes and reduce the stress levels for all people involved in the situation.
The onset of mental health difficulties can vary with the condition, and they are often hard to diagnose. For example, clinical depression has been seen in children under the age of five. It is not uncommon for some children to be diagnosed first with one condition and then another condition, as symptoms more clearly emerge. Sometimes two or more conditions exist together. Again, the expertise of experienced health practitioners is essential for proper assessment and treatment.
Don?t be afraid to get a second or third opinion. The more you can find out, the more information you will have to help your child. And remember, don?t forget to seek support from family and friends for yourself, as you embark on this journey of seeking answers and appropriate treatment for your child.
There are often no ?quick fixes.? Of course, children may also exhibit normal but problematic behaviours temporarily, during stressful periods such as divorce, the death/illness of a loved one, or moving to a new city or school. In addition, difficulties may arise from problems with schoolwork or social interactions with others. These behaviours may not necessarily be an indication of a disorder. As a parent, you may be able to deal with these problems on your own, but you may also want to seek assistance from a health practitioner to make sure that they do not reflect more severe conditions.
In summary, then, many behaviours that appear in children and adolescents may be of short duration and quite normal for their age and stage of development, while others of longer duration and intensity need professional intervention.
Research shows that one in five children have a mental health problem and that this number may be even higher due to underreporting. Many children exhibit difficulties both at home and in school, showing problems with mood, behaviour, or thinking. It?s important to highlight that some children with these difficulties may have a brain dysfunction, and/or a language or learning disability for which effective treatment is available.
Early identification and treatment is vitally important, since rapid attention can dramatically improve outcomes and reduce the stress levels for all people involved in the situation.
The onset of mental health difficulties can vary with the condition, and they are often hard to diagnose. For example, clinical depression has been seen in children under the age of five. It is not uncommon for some children to be diagnosed first with one condition and then another condition, as symptoms more clearly emerge. Sometimes two or more conditions exist together. Again, the expertise of experienced health practitioners is essential for proper assessment and treatment.
Don?t be afraid to get a second or third opinion. The more you can find out, the more information you will have to help your child. And remember, don?t forget to seek support from family and friends for yourself, as you embark on this journey of seeking answers and appropriate treatment for your child.
There are often no ?quick fixes.? Of course, children may also exhibit normal but problematic behaviours temporarily, during stressful periods such as divorce, the death/illness of a loved one, or moving to a new city or school. In addition, difficulties may arise from problems with schoolwork or social interactions with others. These behaviours may not necessarily be an indication of a disorder. As a parent, you may be able to deal with these problems on your own, but you may also want to seek assistance from a health practitioner to make sure that they do not reflect more severe conditions.
In summary, then, many behaviours that appear in children and adolescents may be of short duration and quite normal for their age and stage of development, while others of longer duration and intensity need professional intervention.
