They are little bodies of energy. Curious minds full of questions about everything. Testing limits and seeing no barriers. We were once these creatures. And many of us have our own set of little beings. These creatures are our children. So young and pure. Simple minds trying to figure out how the world is made. So how can someone so young be faced with mental health issues? We as adults have a hard enough time. How can we help our children?
The Age
When I went online to research the youngest mental health case, the number of sites that came up was astounding. I was seeing articles about 19-year-olds, 14-year-olds, 7-year-olds, and 5-year-olds. This made me so sad to see. These young kids are finding themselves with a different way of thinking and feeling that not only do they not understand, but the adults don’t either. How is this even possible?
ADHD
I look at my son. He is 9 years old and learning all about who he is. What he has found so far is that he is very imaginative, loves numbers and math, and (recently) diagnosed with ADHD. Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a type of neurodevelopmental disorder and is commonly diagnosed in childhood. Neurodevelopmental disorders are like a mental health disorder, but the difference is that a neurodevelopmental disorder is a lifelong disorder, even with treatment. However, you should also be aware that neurodevelopmental disorders can also lead or bring forth mental health disorders.
Tools
As I am learning more about ADHD and researching tools to help my son through each day, I am finding how closely this impacts his mental health. There are a few different versions of ADHD, but with my son, he lives each day as if he has 100 computer screens open and visible all at the same time. Plus, he sees, hears, and knows what is playing on each one. This type of mental ability makes it difficult to concentrate on homework, pay attention to a parent that is giving them instructions, and even choosing what to do first. It is hard enough to get any kid to clean their room. Put a child with ADHD in front of the pile and they will be so confused where to start or how to do anything, it just won’t get done.
Dark Side
There is a dark side to ADHD. One that I am finding out more and more. Children with ADHD can have a hard time understanding why they are not like other kids. For my son, he cannot understand why he has a hard time listening to me. He would be sitting here playing with the dog and I would tell him it was time for bed. His mind will follow the dopamine and continue playing with the dog or do whatever he can to not do what I am telling him. Sounds like just an average kid, right? Except, he knows and wants to listen to me. To him, it is as if he has no control over his body. But it gets worse.
Recently, he has been getting more and more upset as to why he just cannot seem to listen to me. To his dad, he has no problem. What is the problem, is that he gets mad at himself. His thoughts of anger start to turn into himself, and I struggle to help him through it. Because isn’t that what all parents want? Their kids to grow up happy and healthy?
Children with Mental Health
Our children are looking to us for guidance. They are just beginning to learn who they are and what they want. Mental health illnesses can hit a person early in life. Recognizing that your child may need some extra help is not failing as a parent. It is the ultimate sign that you care for and love them. You are willing to do what you can to get them the help you might not be able to give them right now. Because there is one more thing to think about. By giving them the care now as children, gives them each a better outlook in adult life. I don’t think you want to know what life could be like if they don’t get help now. They need us to be strong for them and give them the best childhood we can.
Enjoy this video.
With great warmth,
