Giving Your Child the Head Start: Pay Attention to Their State of Mental/Emotional Health

A child’s psyche is an important element of their overall health. It has an intricate relationship with both their physical and social wellness, which influence their ability to thrive well in the school, neighborhood, and later, at work and in the larger society. The health of both the body and the mind are important in attaining developmental as well as emotional milestones. Healthy and well-adjusted children can function well and enjoy having a positive quality of life.

Psychiatric Conditions Respect No Boundaries

 Some children are as vulnerable to developing a psychiatric condition as an adult. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) “half of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14.” More studies are showing that a person may start developing a psychiatric order even earlier, even when no obvious symptoms appear. By having a deeper understanding of when and how fast certain brain structures mature, a number of psychiatric conditions may be prevented from developing later in life.

Common Childhood Conditions

 There are certain conditions that can begin in childhood. These affect the way they live their lives and the way they behave, learn and express their feelings. Some examples of these childhood conditions are: attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mood and anxiety disorders, behavior disorders, Tourette syndrome, and substance use disorder.

The Importance of Treating a Child’s Condition

 Treating a child’s condition is important because once it develops it can become a regular part of their behavior. According to the CDC, untreated psychiatric conditions may linger through the person’s lifetime, making it more challenging to treat. Without prompt diagnosis and proper, treatment, affected children are expected to encounter difficulty in handling situations and interacting with people at home, in school, and in the community. This and the fact that symptoms are not easy to discern in children are the reasons why many distressed children are not getting treated, even when the treatments of these conditions are available and have significantly advanced in the recent years.

Finding Professional Help

If you are worried about your child’s behavioral and emotional health, you can talk to your child’s primary care doctor about the child’s manifestations. You can also make an appt right now for an evaluation with Living Well Psychiatry in Cumberland County. If your suspicion is substantiated with your observations and feedback from your child’s school teachers, consult with Living Well Psychiatry at Raeford Road in Fayetteville, NC. Paying attention to your child’s symptoms, which can be a non-verbal plea for help, is important to be able to provide them the psychiatric help they need to improve their life.