The epidemic of poor mental health which has engulfed the Western world in the past years has left no continent untouched. From growing antidepressant use in the late 60s and suicide rates peaking in the early 40s,  50% of millennials reportedly left jobs due to mental health reasons. Now, children and adolescents are continuously manifesting symptoms of some serious mental disorders. Unfortunately, no group is immune anymore.

For most parents in the emirates, time is a valuable and usually rare commodity. Work, social responsibilities, and meetings make a severe dent on time spent with children at home. However, what most of us don’t appreciate is that the time we devote to our children, particularly in their young and adolescent stages, plays a significant role in analyzing the scope of mental health issues and then tackling them.

As the mental health issues are increasing among the children, so are the needs of the people to consult a psychologist in UAE. While there is no harm in consulting them, it’s always a good idea to take all the necessary precautions on your own. This article sheds light on some common health issues which parents should know about.

Background  

The past years have witnessed some drastic interest in the emotional stability and mental health of children. Across various countries, a large number of children and families are seeking services, classes and professional input for mental-health-related difficulties.

While it was once considered an orthodox practice, it is now a well-established fact that child mental-health problems are getting common with each passing day. As per the analysis of the World Health Organization (WHO), 10-20 percent of children and adolescents experience a certain mental health illness at some point before they reach their adulthood.

Risk Factors

There are some driving factors that can trigger mental health issues among children. For instance, children with long-term physical health needs, including physical disabilities or mental illness can accentuate the risk of mental health predicaments.

Kids with serious health issues can create extra difficulties in their daily life, among which isolation from their friends and family is the most obvious outcome. This can lead to low mood and other emotional complications in them.

This includes situations such as autism spectrum conditions or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). These diseases not only make it difficult for the children to manage the challenges they face in their daily life but also make them prone to emotional disturbances. This might manifest in the form of frequent tantrums or challenging behavior.

Other factors, such as problematic relationships with caregivers or their peers (e.g. abandonment, abusive relationships or mistreatment) can make them susceptible to developing attachment difficulties. According to a famous psychologist in Dubai, this situation gives rise to long-term mental health issues that affect their ability to form and sustain friendships and relationships.

Indications

There are a number of aberrations that children show in their behavior. Some of these include:

  • You may find them withdrawing from social gatherings and the activities which they once used to enjoy. Children may also show clear symbols of managing their behaviors such as bad temper or physical aggression. 
  • There are some children who like to put their focus on certain activities or routines but the mental issues and high levels of anxiety cause a continuous break to these practices.
  • Changes to a child’s sleeping patterns, for instance, having trouble getting off to sleep or staying asleep for a longer period can be a warning of emotional problems. Similarly, variations in eating such as skipping meals can be a symptom as well.

It is also important to notice as to whether there are activities that your child is unable to do, or finds it difficult to do while the children of their age find no problems to do them.

Approaches for Parents

Parents can also consult a psychiatrist doctor in Dubai if their child is showing symptoms of mental health disorders. Psychiatrists usually recommend parents to adopt different approaches to deal with the prevailing issues. The most notable ones include:

  • Integrating with children for at least 15 minutes of continuous one-to-one time on a daily basis is a good way to build a healthy relationship. The child might be playing but the parents should put away their gadgets and electronics and play along with them.
  • Another important strategy to cope with child mental illness is to become the expert of your child’s specific needs. Parents should try to anticipate what makes their child upset. This can help them analyze their approach or other things in the surroundings that are the cause of continuous disturbance for them.

Finally, children who are suffering from lots of fears or worries, there are some best psychiatrists in Dubai that advise the parents to encourage their kids in facing such fears and tackling them. If they find the task difficult to manage, help them in breaking down into easier and more manageable steps. This will ultimately increase their confidence and learning to endure anxiety.

In all, early intervention can enhance the chances of averting or lessening the consequences of mental illness, therefore allowing children and young people living satisfying lives.