[The following is an article I wrote for a client while working as a Content/Technical Writer for Flint Analytics in 2021]
How Does Mental Health Affect Child Development?
As a child’s body develops, their brain is developing too. Just as the food your child eats lays the groundwork for their physical health, childhood experiences lay the foundation for mental health. During childhood, they learn how to relate to others and how to regulate their emotions. Any disruption in this developmental process can have consequences that may last a lifetime.
The construction of the human brain and mind begins at birth. Experiences are like bricks that form a structure in the mind. One by one these bricks form a sound foundation of mental health. Mental problems occur when an experience destabilizes that foundation. Many mental problems begin during childhood.
How Emotional Experiences and Stressors Affect Child Development
Mental disorders can be categorized based on how a child responds to stress and trauma. A child’s first experiences happen with their family. Thus, any stress or trauma that occurs in the family can threaten a child’s mental health.
“Stress-inducing experiences early in life can lay an unstable foundation for mental health that endures well into the adult years. Toxic stress can damage brain architecture and increase the likelihood that significant mental health problems will emerge either quickly or years later.” (Harvard)
Toxic stress affects not only brain development and mental health but also other organ systems, school readiness, and academic achievement.
The following toxic stressors threaten the psychological well-being of children:
- The separation or divorce of parents.
- Persistent poverty or homelessness.
- The death of a close loved one or child friend.
- Physical or sexual abuse
- Chronic neglect
- Parent incarceration
- Domestic violence
- Parental mental disorders and/or substance abuse
- School bullying
- Experiencing racial, gender, sexuality, or religious discrimination.
Healthy family functioning, relationships, and interactions can reduce the risk of developing mental disorders. If reducing these stressors proves too difficult to overcome, this could be an indication that the family may require professional help.
Early Detection of Childhood Mental Disorders
Children can suffer the same mental disorders as adults. Early detection is key because children can fully recover from mental health issues with appropriate intervention.
According to a Harvard study, these disorders can be difficult to detect because children process and react to stress and emotional experiences differently than adults. It is also difficult to distinguish between normal childhood behavior and symptoms of mental disturbance.
Parents and teachers are the first lines of defense. Therefore, they must be aware of the signs of mental health conditions.
10 Warning Signs of Common Child Mental Health Conditions
Children may react to stressors, such as those previously described, in a maladaptive manner characterized by the following warning signs:
1. Mood changes
Look for feelings of sadness, withdrawal, or severe mood swings that are causing relationship problems at home or school. Mood disorders such as Depression and Bipolar Disorder can cause a child to experience persistent feelings of sadness or extreme mood swings.
2. Intense feelings
Feelings of overwhelming fear for no reason may include a racing heartbeat or fast breathing.
If worries or fears are intense enough to interfere with daily life, this may indicate Anxiety Disorders such as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Social Phobia, or Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
However, worrying and anxiety are normal experiences of childhood as children change from one developmental stage to the next.
3. Behavior changes
These include drastic changes in behavior or personality, as well as dangerous or out-of-control behavior. Fighting frequently, using weapons, and expressing a desire to hurt others are warning signs of Conduct Disorder.
4. Difficulty concentrating
Signs of trouble focusing or sitting still associated with poor performance in school may be a sign of Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This condition typically includes difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity, or impulsive behavior.
5. Unexplained drastic weight loss
A sudden loss of appetite, frequent vomiting, preoccupation with food and weight, or use of laxatives might indicate an eating disorder such as Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, or Binge-Eating Disorder. These are serious, life-threatening conditions.
6. Physical symptoms
Unlike adults, children with a mental health condition might complain about headaches and stomachaches rather than specifically expressing sadness or anxiety.
7. Self-harm
A child who deliberately harms themselves by cutting or burning may be suffering from a mental health condition. In severe cases, children with this type of mental health condition may express suicidal thoughts or attempt suicide.
8. Substance use
Like adults, kids may use drugs or alcohol to cope with their feelings. This could easily turn into addiction in the absence of intervention.
9. Out of touch with reality
If it seems that your child is losing touch with reality, it may be a case of psychosis. Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder that most often appears in the late teens and early 20s.
10. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
If you notice your baby’s ability to communicate and interact with others is unusual, it may be a sign of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD is a serious developmental disorder that appears in early childhood (usually before age 3). The symptoms can vary.
Again, it is important to note that children may display some of these behaviors as part of normal development. The key is to observe the behavior over time. If the behavior persists or worsens beyond two months and interferes with normal daily functioning, then it may be cause for concern.
What If Your Child Displays Signs of Mental Illness?
Children sometimes behave differently in varying situations and with different people. Before judging the behavior you have observed, ask your child's teacher, close friends, loved ones, or other caregivers if they have noticed any changes in your child's behavior.
Approximately, 1 in 10 children and young people are affected by mental illness. Alarmingly, 70% of children and young people with a mental health issue have not had professional intervention.
Consult your pediatrician if you suspect your child may be suffering from a mental illness. Share this information with your child's doctor. If your doctor is concerned, they can refer you to a specialist.
What to do to ensure the mental health of your child
Caring for a child’s mental health is just as important as their physical health. Children need caregivers and guardians to ensure their well-being so they can develop into healthy, well-rounded adults who can cope with life’s stresses.
- Provide a balanced diet.
- Exercise with them regularly and let them play outdoors in the sun. Sunlight is essential to child development.
- Help your child adjust to changes in family circumstances, such as divorce or changing schools.
- Make your child feel loved and secure by regularly interacting with them in healthy ways and by providing a structured routine.
If you believe your child is experiencing a mental health issue, reach out to us. At Simple Intervention, our goal is to provide coordinated, supportive, responsive, and effective mental health services.
