As a parent, it’s only natural to be concerned about your child’s mental health. With recent statistics pointing to a rise in mental health issues among children in England, it is more than ever that there is a need to identify the signs and seek support early enough. This blog focuses on the present scenario regarding the mental health of children in England, the significance of early intervention, and how private child psychiatrist can positively intervene to find solutions for these issues.
Mental Health Landscape for Children in England
Recently, the NHS reported that the mental health of children and young people is an increasingly growing cause for concern. Studies in 2020 showed a probable mental disorder among one in six children in England aged between 5-16 years. This was a huge increase from three years earlier at one in nine. Factors such as COVID-19, social isolation, and pressures of academics have all contributed to this rise. While some children might have short-term emotional problems, others may develop chronic forms of mental health disorders that require professional treatment.
What Are the Common Childhood Mental Health Problems?
Children can experience a wide range of mental health issues. Some of the most common are:
Anxiety Disorder: If they worry constantly and excessively about school, friendships, or other areas of life and will engage in avoidance behaviors or somatic complaints such as headaches or stomach aches.
Depression: Feeling sad, irritable, or not interested in activities for days or weeks, or even months.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): An inability to pay attention, control impulses, or sit still for extended periods.
Behavioral Disorders: These include Oppositional Defiant Disorder, ODD, and Conduct Disorder. Children or adolescents who have a Behavioral Disorder usually exhibit defiant or aggressive behavior.
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): Children who have Autism Spectrum Disorders may have difficulties in communication or social interactions or exhibit repetitive behaviors.
When Should You Seek Help for Your Child?
As a parent, It becomes really tough to figure out at what stage a child’s behavior or feelings require professional attention. In case your child displays some of the following signs for a more extended period, it might be time to seek a psychiatric evaluation.
- Extreme sadness or isolation from social activities
- Sudden changes in school performance and/or interest in studies
- Extreme changes in mood with irritability
- Sleeping, eating, and concentrating disorder
- Subjective complaints without apparent cause, such as head or abdominal pain
- Self-injury or threats to commit self-harm
Why Choose a Private Child Psychiatrist?
Although the NHS must be considered to establish first priority mental health treatment, many go to private care facilities because they would receive treatment much faster and plan tailored only to their situation. A private child psychiatrist has many benefits:
Personalized care: Can spend more time with a child, therefore understand them, their personal needs and problems.
Shorter waiting times: Private care tends to have short waiting lists compared to that of public care such as the NHS; thus, the mental health diagnosis and treatments are easily available.
Flexible appointments: Some private psychiatrists offer flexible time-tables; they will make appointments available at evenings or at the weekend to be able to fit around really hectic family lifestyles.
It is also crucial for parents searching for “private psychiatrists near me,”to find the right Psychiatrist who specializes in the mental health of children and offers a compassionate approach.
What Does a Private Psychiatric Assessment Involve?
A private psychiatric assessment is a general and comprehensive evaluation based on your child’s emotional, social, and developmental history. It typically includes:
Initial Consultation: The psychiatrist evaluates the child along with interviewing parents to discuss concerns and reviews medical history.
Observation and Assessment: The psychiatrist could use a questionnaire or interview to assess the child’s emotional state, behavior, and coping mechanism.
Feedback and Treatment Plan: Here, a psychiatrist in consultation with the parents decides the possible diagnosis and course of treatment, perhaps therapy, medication, or strategies by which to manage emotions at home and school.
A private psychiatric assessment will clarify and guide you to understand your child’s mental health requirements and facilitate connecting your child with proper care.
Supporting Your Child After Diagnosis
After your child has been diagnosed, long-term support is crucial. Parents can play a key role in the treatment process by:
- Maintaining open communication with your child about their feelings and experiences.
- Encouraging active participation in therapy and other treatment options.
- Facilitate a home environment that promotes emotional well-being.
- Keep in regular contact with the psychiatrist to monitor how the child is progressing and make adjustments in treatment plan accordingly.
Conclusion
It is natural to care about your child’s mental health — these problems are very real and deserve attention. The best thing to do in such a scenario is to intervene early, and to know when to seek professional help. If you’re surfing over the internet, continuously searching with prompts like ‘best psychiatrists’ or ‘private psychiatrists near me’ – help is closer than you may think. Dr. Rashmi Chakraborty, based in Oxford offers compassionate and expert care. Reach out today for a consultation and take the first step towards supporting your child’s mental well-being.