Myths About Mental Health Disorders in Children

How often have you heard that your trauma is not valid because you do not have to cross the Niles to reach school? How often have you heard you cannot focus because you are too inattentive? While the world around us is slowly growing patient with mental health in general children have been suffering from a lack of acceptance.

Shrugging off children's mental health disorders just because they are too young to experience trauma is what makes a dysfunctional adult barely holding on to a thread. It is a dangerous misconception and a highly ignorant way of thinking. Just like physical health, mental health is a continuum, and children are susceptible to a range of emotional and behavioral challenges as they grow up.

It's time to dispel this myth and prioritise the mental well-being of our young ones so they can safely grow up into functioning members of our community!

Now, we all know that children's brains are constantly developing, making them particularly vulnerable to emotional and psychological stressors. Having authority figures who don't understand how these stressors may develop into psychiatric disorders in children is one of the first rejections they face from the world. So a lot of these issues end up having them buttheads with authority figures, especially teachers.

Mental health challenges in children can manifest in various ways, including:

• Mood Disorders: Depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder can affect children and adolescents.

• Eating Disorders: These can develop at a young age and have severe consequences for physical and mental health.

• Trauma and Stress-Related Disorders: Being exposed to traumatic events may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other conditions as a coping mechanism.

If you've been on any social media at all, you might know something about ADHD and autism. But would you believe it if we say that the signs for these neurodevelopmental disorders show way earlier than anyone can imagine?

Yes! Neurodivergence is simply a fancy way of saying that the brain functions differently from what is considered ‘typical’. Surprise, surprise, children with attentive and better-informed parents get diagnosed early in life as they exhibit symptoms that are more visible in schools and other communal spaces. They also, in colloquial terms, are maskless since the environment has room for them to express themselves as they are.

While it's important to avoid labelling children, understanding the spectrum of neurodivergence can help parents, educators, and doctors give the kids all the support they need. Mental health diagnosis for kids is their right, and it must not be denied. Because neurodivergence manifests uniquely in each child, it's essential to know and tailor the medical support plans to them.

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): They struggle with social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviours. The hidden rules of society confound them. They often have their own rulebook for how things must be done to lessen the constant agitation because of living in a world that's not accessible to them.

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Involves difficulties with focus, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.

• Learning Disabilities: Taare Zameen Par did a better job of creating awareness about learning disabilities than most PSAs. It essentially deals with disorders that affect a child's ability to acquire and process information. A few well-known ones are dyslexia, dyscalculia, or dysgraphia.

• Even disorders like OCD and Bipolar can manifest early while only showing extreme symptoms later in life.

Other Neurodivergent Conditions

And, of course, there are some that are neither here nor there but do interfere with basic functioning. While not always categorised as neurodevelopmental disorders, these conditions can also impact a child's brain function and behaviour:

• Tourette Syndrome: Beyond what the movies might say, Tourette is often painful and easily ostracised. Characterised by involuntary movements and vocalisations called tics, this also manifests early on in a child's life.

• Dyspraxia is a condition affecting a child's motor skills and coordination.

• Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is difficulty processing sensory information from the environment. It could significantly affect a child's still-developing understanding of pain.

At this point, it becomes redundant to say children don't suffer from mental health issues. It leads to ignorance, which often leads to less preventive care.

Crying is a universal sign of distress. That's why children cry when they can't verbalise or even conceptualise what they're feeling. Even when they don't know what it is, they know it's not good and want you as their caretakers to fix it.

Recognising your child's needs is one of the most essential roles of a parent and caretaker. Especially for neurodivergent kids or children suffering from mental health issues, crying is not the only way they express that something's wrong. Some common red flags include:

• Changes in mood or behaviour: We know children have fleeting emotions, but persistent sadness, irritability, or withdrawn behaviour must be examined closely.

• Difficulty concentrating or focusing: Struggling with schoolwork or completing tasks.

• Changes in sleep or appetite: as kids, eating and sleeping are significant indicators of whether they're feeling alright or not. Continuous disruptions in their usual sleep patterns or eating habits can tell you they need help.

• Social withdrawal: Social isolation is rarely voluntary. Either because of bullying, which a lot of neurodivergent kids go through, or through loss of interest in activities or friends, it's still better to talk to them about it. Especially with India having the highest rate of cyberbullying at 85%.

• Self-harm or suicidal thoughts: These are severe signs that require immediate attention.

Many of these symptoms can be treated with early intervention and make a significant difference in a child's life. Even with neurodivergence, getting an early mental health diagnosis for the kids can help them be on the fast track to understand their needs and self-manage their symptoms to live a fulfilling life.

Child psychiatrists have a deep understanding of child development, behaviour, and the complexities of childhood mental health. The field has grown to accommodate diverse community needs and has given way to doctors who put the well-being of the children first. They work with the understanding that many mental disorders require a more accessible environment and an accepting community. However, they also prepare the child to manage their symptoms in the absence of one or both of those support systems.

First, they conduct thorough evaluations. From assessing a child's emotional, behavioural, and even developmental functioning through interviews, observations, and, if needed, psychological testing, they make sure to leave no box unturned.

After assessing, they identify the mental health conditions and make treatment plans that fit the child best. They prescribe appropriate medications and monitor their effectiveness if there is a need. After the mental health diagnosis for the kid, they continually extend therapy and counselling to the kid's families to make sure the news of the diagnosis and the continuous care of the child is not remiss. As the child grows, they work closely with parents, teachers, and other doctors to make a solid support system where the child can feel safe.

Sadly, many don't do what they're actually supposed to. Even the DSM is still being updated to be inclusive regarding gender disparity because it's woefully unsurprising to know that there is a severe lack of research on how neurodivergence manifests in young girls, women and people of colour.

The harsh reality of the matter when it comes to mental health issues is that they are lifestyle diseases. With children's mental health disorders being a susceptible subject, it must be handled with the utmost care. The responsibilities of a caretaker do not stop at helping the kids grow to manage their symptoms better; it also extends to teaching them to live freely and demand their right to accessibility.

Most of all, the kids need an environment that helps them flourish. Like adults, children deserve to have open and honest conversations about mental health. Reducing the stigma surrounding these issues can create a more supportive environment for young people to come forward.

By understanding their needs, observing their actions, and relieving them of the distresses in their lives, a caretaker can successfully give a child a solid childhood.