Emotions in Children and Teens

Like adults, children and adolescents can have mental health issues that interfere with the way they think, feel, and act. When untreated, mental health disorders can lead to school failure, family conflicts, drug abuse, violence, and even suicide.

Emotional Disturbances for children and adolescents refers to the disruption in daily functioning at home, school, or community. It is reported that emotional disturbances affect 1 in every 10 young people at any given time.

The Causes May Include

* Exposure to environmental toxins, such as high levels of lead;
* Exposure to violence, such as witnessing or being the victim of physical or sexual abuse, drive-by shootings, muggings, or other traumas;
* Stress related to chronic poverty, discrimination, or other serious hardships; and
* The loss of important people through death, divorce, or broken relationships.

Always moody. Easily agitated. Sleeps in. Says, "Nobody cares." Sounds like a typical teen? Not always.

Did you know that depression now strikes one out of 20 teens? What's more, the rates of childhood depression are not only increasing but are also impacting younger kids. A kid today is ten times more likely to be seriously depressed compared to a child born in the first third of this century.

Depressed youngsters are almost four times more likely to have drug or alcohol problems by their mid-20s. Nearly one in ten kids who develop major depression prior to their puberty commit suicide; and suicide rates for kids and teens have tripled in three decades.

With early diagnosis and proper treatment , kids almost always can be helped and feel better. Every kid feels sad and moody from time to time, but this kind of behavior should have a time limit.

A few characteristics of depression that should not be overlooked

A sudden, or intense change. Something is markedly different about your child's personality, temperament, or normal behavior that is unsettling.

An increase in physical ailments. Headaches, stomachaches, nausea, sweaty palms, sleeplessness or always sleeping that don't lessen with over-the-counter medication and rest.

Preoccupation with death or feelings of hopelessness. He/she is drawing, writing or asking about death, giving away personal belongings, or saying "What's the use?" or "It doesn't matter"

Others who know your child well express concern. Listen as they may be seeing something that you are not.

Your child tells you something is wrong and wants help. Trust him/her.

Trust your instincts. Chances are you're right!

If the problem seems to accelerate out of control and your child is saying scary things, or you have any thought that your child is suicidal, DO NOT WAIT. Call the USA National Suicide hotline: 800-784-2433 or 800-273-8255 and take him/her to the nearest emergency room.

TEENS

If you are a teen reading this and need help, you can call the hotline above or 911 if you're feeling suicidal - I know it feels like these feelings will never end but they do, trust me I was there and I made it out the other side. Not suicidal but really struggling? It is important to ask for help! That's what I did and it changed my life.

It tends to be more severe than a temporary anger reaction lasting only a few minutes. With anger overload, the child becomes totally consumed by his angry thoughts and feelings. Example: He or she is unable to stop screaming, or in some cases, acting out physically, even when parents try to distract the child or try to enforce limits and consequences. The individual tends to be a risk taker, like taking more chances in playground games or in the classroom.

Could a learning disability be involved?
Yes, look for avoiding of assignments where their deficits can be exposed, an explosive angry reaction to pushing for assignment completion may be a clue.

How can I motivate my child?

Try positive reinforcement by commenting on your child's behavior when it is good

Don't just tell your child what not to do; tell them what they should/ or could do

Practice making time to sit and "listen", this does not involve instructing, scolding, judging or minimizing

Try Ignoring inappropriate behavior (whenever, wherever possible)

Consider saying "NO!" only as needed then, consistently enforce and explain limits. Be sure to say "yes" when it is appropriate and point out why that moment is appropriate.

Physical movement is important, if your child is not physically active, start out slow. You may want to go with your child for a walk in the park, or on the beach and look for shells, a couple of times a week.

What you do with your anger and frustration communicates to your children THIS IS HOW TO DO ANGER

If you need to update your own coping strategies, don't delay in asking for help from a professional.

In Ventura County, California (805) 204-7315

Pay attention if a child or adolescent you know has any of these warning signs:

Almost always anxious or worried

Experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Recurrent, ongoing nightmares.

Sad and hopeless for no reason and these feelings are persistent.

Angry, crying a lot or overreacting to things.

Expresses feeling worthless or guilty

Very fearful or having unexplained fears.

Overly focused on physical appearance or problems .

Worry about being harmed, hurting others, or doing something "bad".

Obsessive behaviors or thoughts

Racing thoughts that are almost too fast to follow.

Setting fires.

Doing things that can be life threatening.

Intentionally harming or killing animals.

In Ventura County, California (805) 204-7315

Teenagers can be moody creatures

I know I was, how about you?

I have had a several kids from my clinic involved with "sexting." This is where a child send provocative messages or revealing pictures of themselves to another (sometimes random) person. Not only does it put the child in danger but it can result in one or both of the people being arrested. Learn more about this new social problem from CommonsenseMedia.com:

Kids Send Nude or Revealing Images:

22% of teen girls and 20% of teen boys have sent nude or semi-nude photos of themselves
22% of teens admit that technology makes them personally more forward and aggressive
38% say exchanging sexy content makes dating or hooking up with others more likely
29% believe those exchanging sexy content are "expected" to date or hook up
Revealing photos can be resent to a vast audience
Sending a sexual image to a minor is illegal

There have been some high profile cases of sexting - including High School Musical star Vanessa Hudgens, who sent a nude picture to her co-star/boyfriend, Zac Efron, that ended up all over the Internet and made headlines. And in July 2008, Cincinnati teen Jesse Logan committed suicide after a nude photo she'd sent to a boyfriend was circulated widely around her high school, resulting in harassment from her classmates.

Why It Matters

In a technology world where anything can be copied, sent, posted, and seen by huge audiences, there's no such thing as being able to control images. Even if a photo was taken and sent as a token of love, the intention doesn't matter - the technology makes it possible for everyone to see your child's most intimate self. And in the hands of teenagers, when revealing photos are made public the subject almost always becomes the object of ridicule and name calling. Furthermore, sending sexual images to minors is against the law, and some states have begun prosecuting kids for child pornography or felony obscenity.

Advice for Parents

Don't wait for an incident to happen to your child or your child's friend before you talk to your kids about the consequences of sexting. Sure, talking about sex or dating with teens can be really uncomfortable, but better to have the talk before the fact.

Remind them that once an image is sent, it can never be retrieved - and they will lose control of it. Ask teens how they would feel if their teachers, parents, or the entire school saw the picture, because it happens all the time.

Talk about pressures to send revealing photos. Let teens know that you understand that they can be pushed or dared into sending something. Tell them that no matter how big the social pressure is, the potential social humiliation will be hundreds of

To continue reading please go to
http://parentingtoolbox.wordpress.com/2009/03/24/talking-about-sexting/

When parents are faced with relocation issues, it can be a stressful time for both you and your child.

Some suggestions to help your child through the transition

Help your kids feel like they're involved and part of this big life-changing event by assuring them that they can come talk and ask questions like; "Are we taking our dog?"; "Why are we moving?". To help your child feel confident in this decision to move, answer honestly and as complete (detailed) as possible.

Help your child make a 'contact' list: names, emails, phone numbers of their friends, teachers, etc

Help plan their good-byes, a going away party may be a good way to go for all their soccer buddies and neighborhood friends.

Talk about what they can expect in terms of their new room, maybe a new theme would help to make it something to look forward to.

Will there be a new school? Talk about the new school and together explore ways of making new friends.

Antisocial Behavior or Antisocial Personality Disorder?

Do you suspect someone you know or are raising is a sociopath? Here are a few common attributes -

No guilt

Unable to form meaningful relationships

Superficially charming

No responsibility for actions

A proper diagnosis can be obtained through a mental health profession.

Find out now!

Megan's Law - California Residents:
http://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/

Megan's Law - National Registry:
http://www.registeredoffenderslist.org/megans-law.htm

Jessica's Law - California Residents:
http://gov.ca.gov/index.php?/fact-sheet/4967/

What is Jessica's Law?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica%27s_Law#Jessica_Lunsford_Act

Emotional upset including stress often results from significant life events that might lead to problems with behavior, mood, sleep, appetite, and academic or social functioning.

If you feel your child might have an emotional or behavioral problem or needs help coping with a difficult situation past or present, trust your instincts and seek support.

Additional signs that your child may benefit from seeing a therapist include:

* biting, kicking, or hitting
* anger, acting out inappropriately, resuming bed wetting
* victim of bullying or being a bullying to others
* victim of abuse
* difficulties adjusting to separation, divorce, or relocation

If you are in the Ventura County, CA area, you may contact me at (805) 204-7315
Outside Ventura County you may try dialing 211 - this is a free social service call in many areas. Your pediatrician, local social services office or health insurance company may also be able to provide you with a referral!

Warm Regards,
Ashley Bretting, M.S.