Children with Disabilities

Emotional Disorders

Studies have shown that 12 million children throughout the US suffer from a psychological disorder, and less than 20 percent of them are prescribed the correct treatment to cure the illness. It is often assumed that depression and anxiety are not disorders that affect children because they should not be consumed by emotions. However, children can experience emotional troubles very early in life, and they typically have more difficulty overcoming traumatizing situations.

Depression, which affects as many as one out of every 33 children, is a very serious mental health problem. The symptoms of depression, which are similar regardless of age, include grief, vulnerability, exhaustion, and low self-image.

Warning signs

If you notice any of the following signs, you child may be experiencing depression:

• Recurrent bouts of sadness, tears, or bawling
• Feelings of desperation
• Seclusion from friends and socialization
• Lack of drive
• Lack of energy
• Odd eating and sleeping schedules
• Increased irritability, agitation, rage, or aggression
• Repeated grumbling about headaches, stomachaches, etc.
• Indecisiveness or lack of focus
• Low self-esteem or extreme shame
• Susceptibility to rejection or disappointment
• Frequent dark thoughts illuminated by drawings or paintings
• Horseplay that involves hostility towards oneself or others
• Continual conversations about death or self-destructiveness

If your child has been attempting to deal with any combination of these symptoms for more than 14 days, make an appointment with a physician or mental health expert. As a parent, you need to pay close attention to your child's moods and behavior because it may be difficult for them to express how they feel. Although a child may be experiencing a particular symptom, certain concepts to are too abstract for a child to explain. This is the primary reason so many children with depression never undergo treatment.

Depression is treatable, but catching it in its early stages really eases the entire process. A youngster who demonstrates signs of depression should be referred and assessed by a psychological child health professional. The entire procedure may involve appointments with a psychiatrist for psychological testing and other exams that may rule out the existence of any underlying ailments that could be the cause of the symptoms. If it is determined that the child is depressed, they must receive therapeutic treatment because it will teach them how to put their feelings into words and get a better handle on their environment.

Treatment for depression can be costly. If you have been paying for your child's therapy, and it has become a financial burden, there may be a way to lighten the load. Discuss your situation with a Florida social security disability lawyer to determine what you can do.