Childhood and Adolescent Help
Maybe they don’t like the sound of their voice or the way their hair is. Or maybe they feel like they just can’t do anything right, no matter how hard they try.
One of the most challenging times for children and adults alike is going through growing up. Childhood and teenage- hood are difficult by presumption; and it is becoming ever more difficult with the requirements and restrictions of recent times. Family situations, social issues, moving, changing schools, social isolation, have all created an increased risk in early childhood disorders and problematic adolescent years.
Mental disorders among children can vary from slight behavioral concerns to serious changes in the way children typically learn, behave, or handle their emotions, causing distress for them and their families. Often in our busy daily lives we do not notice changes in our children’s behaviour. Children and young adolescents can be under tremendous stress without giving much of a sign for what they are experiencing. It is hard for most children to share, they can feel confused, stuck and scared.
Among the more common mental disorders that can be diagnosed in childhood are attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and behaviour disorders.
The mental disorders in children and adolescents have increased and so has the seeking of help for them. According to CDC one in six U.S. children aged 2–8 years (17.4%) had a diagnosed mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder. Diagnoses of depression and anxiety are more common with increased age while behavior problems are more common among children aged 6–11 years old.
Early identification and timely treatment can change the course of a person’s entire life. If you notice unusual changes in your child’s behavior, if they have academic or relational problems in school or with peers, if they have learning difficulties, talk to a therapist and see how therapy can help.
Talk therapy is a safe and suitable therapy for children and adolescents. Naturally prone to communicating, children and adolescents respond very well to talk therapy and being listened to. While it might be hard to open up your teen, giving them personal space to talk to someone else, who is interested in what they have to say, can encourage them to safely express their concerns, which they might be uncomfortable voicing out in family or in school.
Special concern is given to dyslexia in children, adolescents as well as young adults.