Mental health
Not all health problems are physical so it is important that parents listen and talk to their children.
Mental health problems such as depression, schizophrenia and eating disorders can affect young people in the same way as adults so if you notice a significant change in your child’s behaviour, try talking to them and seek advice from your GP.
Find out more about the following mental health conditions:
Eating disorders
According to The Royal College of Psychiatrists, worries about weight, shape and eating are common, especially among teenage girls but it can affect boys too. But it is when these worries become an obsession that it can turn into a serious eating disorder.
The two most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.
- Anorexia nervosa sufferers worry all the time about being fat (even if they are thin) and eat very little. They lose a lot of weight and their periods stop.
- Bulimia nervosa sufferers also worry about their weight but they alternate between eating hardly anything to binging and gorging themselves. They vomit or take laxatives to control their weight.
What are the signs of anorexia or bulimia?
- Weight loss or unusual weight changes
- Periods being irregular or stopping
- Missing meals, eating very little and avoiding ‘fattening’ foods
- Avoiding eating in public, secret eating
- Large amounts of food disappearing from the cupboards
- Believing they are fat when underweight
- Exercising excessively
- Becoming preoccupied with food, cooking for other people
- Going to the bathroom or toilet immediately after meals
- Using laxatives and vomiting to control weight
What are the causes?
Eating disorders can be caused by a number of different things such as worry and stress or an upsetting event such as bereavement, separation in the family or bullying and abuse. If a young person is vulnerable, eating disorders can also be triggered by a teasing remark or school exams.
I think my child is developing an eating disorder. What should I do?
Some young people may not want you to interfere, but don’t be afraid to ask them if they are worried about anything. Explain the effects of eating disorders such as poor health, loss of periods and risk of infertility and suggest healthy eating plans and exercise classes that you can do together.
If meal times become more stressful, it is important that you seek professional advice. Your GP or health professional will advise you what specialist help is available.
Depression
Children and young people can suffer depression in the same way an adult can. It has no obvious cause, but in some cases it can be triggered by stressful or traumatic events and situations such as:
- a bereavement
- an illness
- a divorce or separation
- problems at school, such as bullying
Some types of depression such as manic depression (also known as bipolar disorder) require medication. In children and young people, depression is usually treated with counselling or therapy (talking therapies) sessions arranged by your GP. Medication may be prescribed in more severe circumstances to complement counselling or therapy sessions to assist the child or young person initially until they can fully benefit from the talking therapies.
If you are worried that your child has become withdrawn or you have noticed a substantial change in their behaviour, ask them if they have anything on their mind and give them plenty of opportunity to open up and talk to you.
Symptoms of depression can include:
- feeling down
- teary
- loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy
- not laughing at things they once found amusing
- constant tiredness
- interrupted sleep patterns
- no motivation
- suicidal thoughts
Don’t brush off their feelings or fears as silliness as this won’t help them. Listen to your child and let them know that you are there for them.
As with all medical issues, you should consult your GP or health professional for further advice.
Schizophrenia
The Royal College of Psychiatrists suggest that schizophrenia is rare before puberty. It is most likely to start between the ages of 15 and 35 years, but can occur in younger children.
Symptoms
- Delusions - The young person may believe that they are someone different, for example, the President of the USA or they may believe that other people are ‘out to get them’. They will believe this despite what you say.
- Thought disorder – The young person may not think straight and you may find it hard to make sense of what they’re saying.
- Hallucinations – The young person may see, hear, smell or feel something that isn’t really there. The most common is hearing voices. Hallucinations are totally real to the person having them and can sometimes be very frightening.
- Negative symptoms – The young person suffering from schizophrenia may become withdrawn and appear unemotional. They may lose interest, stop washing regularly and spend a lot of time on their own. Concentrating on work or study can sometimes become impossible.
Causes
Because of differences of opinion about schizophrenia, it's not easy to identify what might cause it as there isn’t one single causal explanation. The following can contribute to the onset of schizophrenia but it’s also important to note that the presence of one or more of the following doesn’t mean schizophrenia will automatically follow:
- Excess of dopamine. This is a chemical which carry messages between brain cells.
- Inheriting a combination of certain genes.
- Family experiences and personality, although the idea that a particular type of family contributes to the development of schizophrenia is generally dismissed.
- Stressful life events i.e. being homeless, living in poverty, having no job, losing someone close, suffering physical, emotional or sexual abuse.
- Drug abuse. Studies have revealed that some people may develop symptoms as a result of using cannabis or other street drugs. It’s already been established that using cannabis, cocaine and amphetamines makes the problem worse.
Treatments
When treated properly, with a combination of medicine, family support and advice and support from mental health experts, many young people with schizophrenia can go on to lead a life that is enjoyable and fulfilling.
If you are worried about your child, you must see your GP, even if your child will not go with you. It is likely they will refer you to a psychiatrist.
Self harm
For many people, self harming is a way of releasing stress or pressure. It can also be a sign of an underlying problem such as:
- sexual abuse
- neglect
- emotional or physical abuse
- loss or separation
- parental mental health problems
- parental substance misuse
- exams and revision
- bullying and other problems at school
- severe personal stress.
In these cases, the problem would need to be addressed by specialist practitioners.
It is more common for young people to self harm from around the age of thirteen and is more common in girls than boys during the teenage years. Signs that may indicate that someone is self-harming include:
- poor functioning at school
- unexplained and frequent injuries
- wearing long sleeves and trousers in warm weather
- lonely, isolated and withdrawn
- low self-esteem
- difficulty handling emotions and feelings
- secretive about injuries
- major change in behaviour of any kind
- carrying sharp objects, lighters or razors that aren’t normally needed.
What to do
Telling your child to stop self harming doesn’t work. Talk and listen to them and acknowledge their distress. Ask them what help they would like and suggest visiting your GP together for further advice.
Suicide
Suicidal thoughts can be a sign of conditions such as:
- schizophrenia or other mental illness
- severe depression
- drug or alcohol abuse.
Research suggests that there is a growing rate of self harm and suicide amongst young people and we’ve heard stories on the news about young people who have committed suicide due to bullying and exam stress.
When your child becomes a teenager they go through physical and emotional changes, as well as having to cope with starting a new school and making new friends.
Give them your support and make sure you take an interest in what’s happening in their life. Be approachable and don’t dismiss their problems. If you don’t take them seriously, why should they trust anyone else?
Stress
You might stress about work, paying the bills and running the household but you shouldn’t forget that your children can be stressed out by things happening in their lives too.
Young people can get stressed out about:
- exams and revision
- parents divorcing or separating
- problems at school
- peer pressure
- problems at home
- bereavement.
Nobody knows your child better than you and it’s important that you keep talking to them and show an interest in what’s happening at school and with friends to make sure everything is ok.
If they begin acting out of character, for example, withdrawn when they’re usually vibrant and full of energy, then it’s important to let them know you’re there for them.
If you are going through a divorce or separation and you have children, it’s stressful enough as it is but be sensitive to the needs of your children and explain that no matter what, you will both always love and be there for them.
Don’t shrug their problems off as silliness – just because it may not seem like much to you, it is obviously a big issue to them.