What are parents missing out on about their child’s mental health?

Teenage. A crucial time of a human's life when all sorts of mental and physical development occur. In the twentieth century, adolescence is supposed to be a golden time and a phase where life is full of colors. Unfortunately, in recent times the tables have turned, teenage life is not filled with colors and has rather become a pool of twisted tales. According to research from the World Health Organisation (WHO), Mental health conditions hold 16% of the global ratio of disease and injury in people aged 10-19 years.

However, the hurdle of Teenagers going through mental health issues is often disregarded by many parents, as they frame it as just a phase of life. They act disingenuously when light is shed upon this issue, simply because the signs do not match up to the typical symptoms or the environment of their house seems just stable to them. Fact says that teenage anxiety of today is equivalent to the mental situation of psychological patients. The symptoms of mental illness among teenagers vary from person to person. The change in eating patterns is often a common sign as Teenagers treat food as a comfort in hard times. Overeating often leads to overeating issues while reducing appetite may lead to malnutrition, each of them leaving its own effects.The feeling of blue or fatigue, when they have not done anything hectic for almost a long time can be one of the early symptoms. It may also arrive in the form of restlessness as in fidgety behavior.

If a Teenager goes through signs such as angry outbursts or mood swings, it may not be something to worry about. In contrast, if that turns into some unusual symptoms it is best if a doctor is consulted. One of the most distinguishable signs is the falling of grades and a change in eating habits. Typically, a student who receives straight A’s undergoes a lot of mental pressure due to the expectations that they have attached to them like a string. This often itself, is the reason for the stimulating anxiety as the fear of ‘What if I disappoint others?’ takes over, and at point, they give up resulting in decelerating grades. It should come to the notice of every parent to never force their child and set a goal for them to achieve and rather allow them to design their own goals. After all, not every day is a good day, so even at a time when they fail to achieve the expected mark, instead of being demeaned for their failure they should be appreciated for their success.

Another point that should be considered is to never compare a child to another, who is performing consistently. Teenage as we say is the stage of development, and at a phase like this insecurities rush in like a hive of bees toward honey. Constant comparison constructs pessimism which in the long turn instills the concept ‘I am not good enough’. As we talk more about teenage mental illness, depression is also something which had taken over in the last two decades dominatingly due to reasons such as peer pressure, and amidst the ongoing pandemic, the lack of social interaction had instigated it further. Furthermore, social phobia is also an example of mental illness in Teenagers, severe feelings of self-consciousness, and insecurity in social settings. A study from 2017 suggested that about 9.1% of the Teenage group were diagnosed with this particular disorder. This may be undercover with the title of simply being an introvert but parents should be informed that this can be a right in front of the eye cue for them to seek assistance from a doctor. This may include the fear of being judged, fluctuations in keeping friends, or even experiencing nausea around people in serious cases.

Therefore, it can be agreed that the problem of mental illness among children has mutated severely over the years and they do not follow any specific norm. Careful observation from parents is required to remain alert of their adolescent child’s mental health at all times. Many times parents fail to understand and let the roots spread p=out as it is, simply because they are in denial. The thought itself is excruciating that their child may be going through such a horrendous issue, but it is certainly more preferable if a step is gravitated to help these victims. Thus, a call out to all parents around who may be a witness of such evolution and to those who are moving towards the phase, if you find your child facing such issues please converse with them and clear your own doubts, research on the issue. For other ways, the option to get in touch with a doctor is always available. So, do not hold back as one initiative from you can improve your child’s health for a lifetime.