Wendel Abel
MY 14-YEAR-OLD child, who passed his GSAT examinations, has been showing a decline in his academic performance. His grades have fallen badly and he appears to have lost interest in his school work.
My daughter was previously an active and vibrant child. She has suddenly become lethargic and withdrawn.
My son has started to smoke ganja. He has become rebellious and angry.
These are some voices. The voices of mothers in pain.
These children may very well be displaying the early signs of mental illness. Research has shown that most adults who develop full-blown mental illness later in life, start showing signs of mental disorders as children and adolescents. A diagnosis of mental disorder is not a death sentence and very often early treatment and intervention may alter the course of the disease.
What are some early signs of mental disorders?
Early signs of mental disorders may include the following:
1 - Change in behaviour: A child who was previously active may become withdrawn and quiet. Other children may begin to display rebellious and oppositional behaviour.
2 - Change in academic performance: This is a common and subtle sign. Children who develop signs of mental illness may start displaying a change in their academic performance.
3 - Drug use: Drug use, such as ganja use, may often be due to an underlying mental disorder. Many youngsters who are experiencing features of mental disorders use drugs such as ganja to self-medicate some of the symptoms they may be experiencing.
4 - Mood changes: Early signs may be depressed mood, irritability, feelings of worthlessness, and suicidal ideas.
5 - Other features: Some children may report that they feel others are constantly watching them or talking about them and in other situations they may report that they are hearing voices and seeing strange things (hallucinations). If your child has become very suspicious of others and is afraid of others you may need to have this investigated.
These features listed above may be associated with mental disorders although they may also be seen in children experiencing stress or going through major adjustment problems associated with separation from parents, changes in the family's economic status or problems at home.
If your child is displaying any of the above:
1 - Avoid denial: Many parents turn a blind eye either hoping the situation will improve or they simply refuse to accept that their child may be ill. It is often very painful accepting this reality.
2 - Overcome the stigma: We live in a society in which there are many attitudes associated with mental disorders. Many persons have great difficulty accepting this diagnosis. Mental disorders are common and they are like any other illness.
3 - Seek professional help: You may have to discuss your child's condition with the guidance counsellor at school or seek help from a mental health professional.
4 - Do not be afraid to see a mental health professional. These include counsellors, psychologists and psychiatrists.
5 - Do not be afraid to see a psychiatrist: Many persons are afraid to see a psychiatrist as it is commonly felt that psychiatrists only treat persons who are "mad". Pychiatrists treat normal persons with normal problems.
6 - Do not be an enabler: Many mothers enable dysfunctional behaviour in their children by covering up their weaknesses instead of taking action. This is especially so for the child who is on drugs. Do not enable your child's behaviour.
7 - Seek treatment for yourself: Many parents are affected by the possibility that their child may be diagnosed with a mental disorder. This often is associated with great pain and grieving. Family members may themselves need to receive counselling to better understand the nature of the illness, how to deal with it and how to ensure that they secure the best treatment outcome for their child.
I encourage guidance counsellors, teachers and persons working with children to circulate this article.
Dr. Wendel Abel is a consultant psychiatrist and senior lecturer, University of the West Indies; phone: 922-3216; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.
