Many great parents go above and beyond for their children. Even if you’re already giving your kids everything in a physical sense, one particular area that you should give attention to is your child’s emotional health. If your child deals with an emotional disorder, they’re not alone. The CDC reports that one in six children between the ages of one and eight have some type of behavioral or mental disorder. If your little one falls into this category, you want to find simple interventions that will help your child cope and succeed. Here are a few ideas to make things easier for you and your child.
Understand common disorders.
To best help your child, you need to understand the most common emotional and behavioral disorders that affect children. When it comes to their mental health, many young children experience anxiety. However, there are also many little ones or adolescents who suffer from more severe anxiety disorders and other mental health disorders. If you notice excessive worry, panic episodes, or hyperventilating, your child may be suffering from an anxiety disorder.
On the other hand, there are plenty of more common and manageable behavioral disorders as well, like ADHD. Common symptoms of ADHD include disruptive behavior, impulsivity through behavior, irritability, and general inattention. Of course, you should take note that not every child experiences the same emotional or physical symptoms, so it’s best to work with a mental health professional to intervene so that your child’s symptoms are accurately assessed. ADHD is common and very manageable, once kids or adolescents are receiving the right guidance.
Reach out for professional help.
Emotional disorders in children are nothing to ignore, as they deserve to receive professional help for relief from any exhausting symptoms too. As their parent, you want to help your child manage their challenges, and sometimes that means reaching out to mental health professionals for a diagnosis. Professional psychologists or psychiatrists will know how to accurately diagnose and manage your child’s emotional disorder.
Healthcare professionals will work with both you and your child to come up with different coping skills and tactics. If your child is old enough, they may consider cognitive behavioral therapy to assist in breaking down complex anxiety disorders like PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) or OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder). No matter the behavioral problems or emotional disturbance, you can trust that mental healthcare professionals will be of great benefit. By relying on their expertise, you’re leading your children or adolescents into an adulthood wherein they’ll know how to more easily manage and address their symptoms.
Create space for quality-time.
Don’t feel discouraged if it feels like you don’t know what to do to aid your child when they’re struggling. When it comes to little things that you can do as a parent, just remember that being there by their side is one of the most critical components. You’re an advocate for your kid, but that doesn’t mean you should only focus on getting them professional help. Never forget the power of spending time with your child so that they feel supported. There are many ways to show interest in your child and spend the quality time that keeps you both feelings loved and grounded.
For example, if your child shows interest in certain activities, like doing their nails, surprise them with a custom nail decal kit. These fun stick-on manicures are a stylish and mess-free way to spend time with your little one that will keep them smiling from ear-to-ear. If your child is more of the outdoorsy type, spend time outdoors together blowing off steam. Go for walks at a local nature preserve, play catch together, or start a garden together. Any of these options spent outside are enriching activities that keep you and your child active and curious even when things feel overwhelming and out of control.
At the end of the day, as a parent, you’re the ultimate caregiver. Through interventions like understanding potential emotional disorders, reaching out for professional help, and spending quality time, you’re committing to caring for your child so that they will be able to effectively manage their symptoms.