Information on mental health in young people part four.

Information on mental health in young people

What can cause stress and anxiety in children’s young people?

Moving home can become stressful and bring on anxiety due to the nature of the move and not being familiar with the new surroundings.

A death of a family member, a loved one or a friend can bring in a child or hound persons thoughts and fear of dying them self or fear the loss of another person that they know.

Changes within their social settings such as a change of schools could bring in fear of the unknown

Having more responsibility due to an illness which could be physical or mental illness can bring on unwanted stresses and anxiety

If the child or young person witness family break ups and arguments that bring on a change within their family setting can also bring on anxiety and stress.

Witnessing or being involved with a traumatic event can also bring on stress and anxiety this could be a flood, a fire, or a car crash.

An Important ways to help young people and children to deal with Stress and anxiety is to sit them down listen to them and talk to them in a calm and reassuring manor, let them know that you hear and understand what they have told you and that your only intentions are to help them.

You can explain what anxiety and the effects and coping methods available which could help them. Instructing your child or young people the signs and symptoms of stress and anxiety can be beneficial in that they could recognise it within them self and ask for help at an earlier stage or they could recognise it within someone else.

Stress in children can be lowered by keeping to the same routines where possible.

When’s child is particularly worried about something in particular it is helpful to find ways that can encourage them and help them to find ways to deal through that problem. This will encourage them to partake in similar situations later in life if they can build resilience at a younger age.

There are books that can help a child or young person to deal with certain things that brings on stress and anxiety such as a bereavement or a family breakup that can help deal with the understanding of what they are feeling. When changes happen like a change in schools or a home move then communicating with them to help them prepare for the change in advance will be greatly be beneficial. Look at the positive like getting a better room, decorating their room.

Childhood stress can happen when changes has been made or a child or young person has to adapt.

Children and young people feel fear and they become overwhelmed when they cannot adapt to situations quickly.

Good and bad stress

They can feel bad stresses when a dangerous situation occurs, and depending on their resilience they have built, from past events can determine how bad their stress can be and how they deal with it

Good stress is that accompanies excitements, this is normally an increase in adrenaline without the feeling of fear.

Good stress is also known as eustress this is the type of stress you may feel if you were to get a new bike to ride or staring an original activity.

Good stress can also be positive if it is seen as a good task to uptake or even a good challenge this can bring on confidence and build resilience.

Gaining confidence and remembering past success, can help children and young people to confront more challenging situations with less stress and worries

Being better at dealing with and preparing for stressful situations can increase the body’s ability and willingness to attack and solve problems such as taking part in sports day and solving different problems which would normally be more stressful.

The more successful they are the more confidence they will have, and they will feel they have more control

Recognising signs of stress and anxiety

There are signs of stress and anxiety that can be seen in children and young people they include, crying, withdrawing from social events, constant worrying, being fearful, becoming overly clingy, along with changes in their eating and sleeping patron, and becoming moody and irritability and restlessness.

Sings of anxiety

In children and young people this could include include finding it hard to concentrate this could be at home or in school, having bad dreams and waking up throughout the night, not eating as regular as they used to or a change with their eating Patton, becoming angry and irritable quickly, using the bathroom more often, becoming tense or fidgety. Noticing they feel fearful, an increased heart rate

Depression is when you have abnormally low mood that last for an exceptionally long time. This can affect every day live

Having a mild form of depression can mean that the person is experiencing having a low sprit, they may have a loss of interest in activities that they once enjoyed. But with a mild form of depression people can still lead a very normal life. But task may seem less worthwhile, and they may find things harder to do.

Severe depression

Can become life threatening as it can make a person feel suicidal and they can become withdrawn from everything. Having increased irritability, trouble concentrating and can have problems with their sleep hygiene.

It is important with children and young adults to seek help from early intervention as soon as they feel depression is building this is because the longer depression is carried with a person the more likely it is to continue into later life. This can bring on anxiety, drug, and alcohol misuse, smoking and stress.

Anyone can suffer from depression and depression can happen at any age and affects girls and boys although girls are twice as likely to be affected, it effects all races, and people of all financial and educational backgrounds.

Signs of depression includes a change of eating patterns, feeling sad, lack of interest, behavioural problems at school, having low energy, becoming irritable and having sudden mood change

Low mood is commonly associated with anxious feelings, low mood and low self-esteem, tiredness and frustration.

When changes are made by either parent or child than this can change and can last for just a short time. This can be done by talking about any problems or feelings that can be affecting the child or young person.

When a low mood persists then the feeling of anxiety, feeling lonely, or stressed can start to affect a person ability to live a normal life.

If this does not change and becomes worse, then it becomes a clinical depression and mental health condition which needs to be addressed

Recognising the signs of depression.

Depression can be triggered when sudden life changes happen this can be a change of schools, nursery, a separation between parents or bereavement.

Being bullied can also be a caused of depression this can take place within a school setting, outside of school, or even in the home setting.

Abuse can cause depression and can happen in the home setting by another member of the family, a family friend or someone of trust. This is not just limited to sexual abuse but emotional and physical abuse.

It can also be brought on when there is a family history of depression, this can happen directly or indirectly and can be caused by other members of the family having other Metal health issues.

Social depression can affect how a child interact with their family and friends. It can stop them from enjoying social events including effecting their school, hobbies, and sports.

Depression in children can affect their eating pattern, this can have a detrimental Effect on their growth and depression as they may be missing vital nutrients, needed for growth, repair and development.

Long term depression can lead to self-harm and even suicidal thoughts Children and young people who develop depression may demonstrate increased irritability

Specific mental health conditions for children and young people and the impact it can have.

Self-harm

When a person cause harm towards them self on purpose. This is done as a coping mechanism in dealing with distress or overwhelming feeling and or experience. It is not just when a person cut them self but can include pulling out those hair, punching or head butting a wall, burning, or scratching, as well as becoming more serious in taking an overdose. Self-harm can be done when a person feels numb, so they cause self-harm to feel something. It can also be done as looking after a wound can be looked at a form of care that was not there.

Substance misuse

is when a child or young person consume prescription or non-prescription drugs, abuses alcohol and may be dependent on these. And use them on a daily yet excessive behaviour. It can include painkillers, cannabis, and other illegal substances. It normally starts as once off and gradually builds to daily consumption. This can be looked at as another form of self-harm and can lead to risky behaviour.

Conduct disorders

This is when the behaviour of a person goes beyond being occasionally naughty, difficult, stubborn, or even aggressive behaviour it is diagnosed when an ongoing pattern towards others which shows serious violations of the rules and social norms. Runic could be in a school, home, or social setting.

ADHD

Stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder this is a condition that affects a person behaviour it can make them feel restless, it can cause concentration problems, and can sometimes people act on impulse which can cause interruptions towards others. And can cause hyperactivity which is a constant motion of running climbing and inability to stay still for a period of time. It can also cause problems with sleep hygiene and anxiety.

Eating disorder

The two most common eating disorder are anorexia and bulimia nervous. These may be associated with general anxiety and depression. It can cause anxiety around certain foods, meal skipping, weight fluctuations, strict routines around eating patterns it can bring on a feeling of shame and guilt when certain foods have been consumed.

OCD

This stands for osessive compulsive disorder in children can include symptoms such as doubts over if a door is shut, interfering thoughts, prolonged periods of time counting or touching things having an extreme obsession with germs or dirt. OCD can occur when a child has experienced a stressful situation or a traumatic event, or when a family member has anxiety. It can affect everyday livening, as time may be spent putting things in order.

Psychosis

Is a condition where you can lose touch with reality, due to thoughts becoming very disturbing, hearing voices, having a sense that people are watching them and may even see things that are not there. And can also include paranoid thoughts psychosis is a serious condition that is very disturbing and should be treated as early as possible.

Recognising mental health in children.

Withdrawal, changes in behaviour, problems sleeping, and showing a lack of interest.

They may try to self-medicate, they could develop a drug, alcohol addiction, may accept smoking, steeling. They can develop an inappropriate sexual behaviour or signs of depression.

Eating disorder affects more girls than boys and can affect a person individual mentally as well as physically and can in some case lead to death. Anorexia in girls can affect their person along with other health problems.

More than children and young people will not realise they have a problem which is why it is important for adults, parents, and guardians to know the signs and once recognised to seek medical advice via a professional body.

Mental health crisis can appear different to all individuals, everyone is different. A crisis is an emergency that may impact a direct and immediate threat to physical or emotional well-being.

Calling 999 or going to A& should be the first point of call when a crisis is identified.

Losing a friend or family member can upset and make changes that can disrupt a child or young person life which can bring on anxiety and depression leading to other mental health forms such as eating disorder behaviour problems.