Everyone has a mental health, in the same respect that everyone has a physical health. There are times that each of us has a physical ailment and likewise, everyone at times experiences mental stress, overwhelm, challenges with coping with daily stress and expectations placed upon us.
Mental Illnesses (or mental health conditions) range in type and in severity. Below are some categories that can affect children, adolescents, and young adults. Click on the links to learn more:
(1) Anxiety Disorders – phobias, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and generalized anxiety disorder.
(2) Mood Disorders – clinical or major depression, dysthymia and bipolar disorder (formerly referred to as manic-depression).
(3) Schizophrenia and Psychotic Disorders – schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.
(4) Eating Disorders – anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.
(5) Personality Disorders – borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, avoidant personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, schizoid and paranoid personality disorders are among many in this type of condition.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: While we tend to seek a specific “diagnosis” or singular reason for our child’s struggles so that we can develop a “solution” or know how to “treat,” oftentimes, a simple or straightforward “answer” is not available. Your child may be experiencing signs and symptoms that cross the borders of the boxes we label as learning disability, mental health condition, developmental disability, addictions and substance abuse, or physical disability and taking a wider approach to your response is both wise and compassionate.