The Role of Parents in Supporting Children with Anxiety and Depression
In today’s growing world, mental health problems are increasing rapidly in children. Before we thought only adults faced mental health challenges but now children are also facing these issues. According to stats, because of academic pressure and societal expectation 1.4% of adolescents (age 10-14) and 3.5% (age 15-19) are suffering from these issues. Parents can play their role in finding the best mental health expert for their children. Parents can support their children in improving mental health in some ways like understanding the signs, providing a nurturing environment, and helping in finding the best professional.
Recognizing the Signs of Anxiety and Depression in Children
People mostly search for the word anxiety meaning in Urdu, so in Urdu it is بے چینی. As a parent, the first step is to recognize the signs of anxiety and depression. Unlike adults, children can not express their feelings well. Symptoms often manifest differently in young individuals. To understand the symptoms patients should have to learn what exactly anxiety is. So they could see the exact signs of anxiety.
Anxiety can appear in the form of excessive worry about studies, exams, friendships, or performance in co-curricular activities. Children might also face physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, and trouble sleeping. Symptoms could also be recognized by behavioral changes like moodiness, control, and avoidance of certain situations.
The most easily recognized symptoms in children could be consistent sadness, withdrawal from previously enjoyed activities, and a decline in academic performance. Some children could become angry rather than sad which can make it difficult for parents to identify the signs. However, still, patients can still analyze signs like low energy levels, increased self-critical thoughts, and changes in appetite. Early recognition is crucial as untreated depression or anxiety can lead to long-term consequences.
Building a Supportive Home Environment
The most impact help from parents would be by creating a supportive environment, where children feel safe and can talk openly without any fear of judgment. Parents encourage their children to express their feelings and ask about how the day was spent, and what he/she learned today. This will not only make a strong bond between them but also help the child to share their feelings and experiences of daily activities.
Active listening will work like magic where parents will listen to their children’s words with full focus, understand their emotions, and foster trust and understanding,
Scheduled timetables and routines can also provide children with a sense of stability which is very beneficial for children dealing with anxiety. Consistent meal times, scheduled activities, and bedtime routines can create a predictable environment which will reduce the feeling of uncertain happenings. Allow children to express themselves and adapt to situations without any added pressure. Parents can also show healthy emotional behaviors where they can show empathy and demonstrate to children how to deal with anxiety and cope with depressing situations.
A positive home atmosphere where achievements are celebrated and mistakes are treated as learning opportunities can mainly boost a child’s self-esteem and confidence in taking new steps.
Encouraging Healthy Lifestyle Choices
There is a famous proverb “A healthy body has a healthy mind” which means mental health is deeply linked with physical health. Parents can maintain a healthy lifestyle with good habits to keep the child mentally positive and attractive with good vibes.
Parents should motivate their children to have fun in activities like biking, dancing, horse riding, and various types of sports.
Providing meals that are rich in protein, iron, and vitamins like fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, and milk can give energy to the body and make the mind active. Surgery and baking items should be avoided as they reduce energy and make them lazy.
Parents can limit screen time before bed and maintain consistent sleeping schedules so their child can get enough sleep and awake active and fresh.
Mindfulness and relaxation techniques are like yoga, and meditation can help effectively reduce anxiety. Parents can perform these techniques by themselves and ask the children to join them which will make their bonding strong and give them peace of mind.
Seeking Professional Help When Needed
Although parental support is necessary for a child’s better mental health we can’t ignore the importance of getting professional help from mental health experts. Parents can only understand the signs and take action accordingly by making changes in environment, diet, and routine.
On the other hand, a professional analyzes the root cause of the problem and provides a customized treatment that suits the child’s condition the most.
Parents should not hesitate to seek help from experts like psychologists, therapists, and psychiatrists. Patients can search on Google Therapist near me and find the best mental health expert. These experts have years of experience and know very well how to give the best possible treatment.
Experts mostly prefer CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) which helps children identify their negative thought patterns and replace them with positive and motivated thinking. They could recommend medications which relaxes the mind and give a brake from overthinking. Parents should discuss the risks and benefits of medication recommended to children.
Parents should remain active during the whole recovery period by attending the therapy sessions, collaborating with teachers to participate, and monitoring the progress. Early and consistent implementation of strategies can prevent frightful results.
