Mental Illness Treatments for Children

Mental illness among kids these days is now widespread. Here are the main Mental Illness Treatments that you can do for your children.

All of our professional sources agreed that these treatments are especially beneficial for youngsters who are suffering from mental illness.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a treatment for children with abnormal thinking processes. Counselors work with depressed children by encouraging them to evaluate a negative thought (“I have no friends”), guiding them toward a more realistic attitude (“I have two friends, but I’d like more”), and offering advice on how to cope (inviting someone new to play).

For anxious children, acknowledging one’s fears in small doses and developing coping mechanisms are suggested.

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)

Parent-child play sessions with the help of a therapist teach parents how to reward good conduct with lots of praise and how to deal with outbursts with mild but consistent consequences. Around the age of 2, PCIT can benefit children with DMDD, ADHD, and other behavioral disorders. Depression may be helped with PCIT Emotion Development (PCIT-ED).

Medication

When it comes to treating young children, pharmaceuticals aren’t the first thing that should be considered. Even yet, some medicines are regarded as safe for children as young as eighth grade.

Stimulants like Ritalin (methylphenidate) and Prozac (fluoxetine) are FDA-approved for the treatment of ADHD and depression in children ages eight and up.