A Good Book for Parents of Children With Mental Health Problems

I don't often recommend books to people, in particular people I see through my practice. However, I have been reading a book over the last few days in preparation for a speech I have to make, and I am really impressed with it.

A straight-talking Introduction to Children's Mental Health Problems is a really good read and focuses on how many experts believe behavioral disorders, such as ADHD are over-diagnosed therefore taking valuable help away from those children who need it. It also explains childhood mental illness, explaining what is like from both a child's and a parent's point of view.

If you are a parent of a child with mental health problems, I would recommend you buy or borrow this book. It is written so the average person will understand it. I have no affiliations with this book and will not receive any payment from anyone if people do decide to buy it.

Happy Reading

Dr Maddie

Free Email Consultation

We are coming to the worse time of year for many people who suffer from mental health problems and depression. Christmas and all the celebrations that go with it can be hard to understand and accept if you are suffering from a mental health condition. The important thing to remember is to not ignore your condition, simply because you believe you should act a certain way.

I will be running a free email consultation service until January 1st and I welcome emails from anyone who is struggling to cope with a mental illness. I also encourage people who are suffering the negative effects of a past or present relationship to get in touch with me.

If you have a child who suffers from a mental health condition or behavioral problem, I can offer advice and support via email.

Interested parties can contact me at Madeline.Mahoney@yahoo.co.uk

Please allow 24-hours for a response.

Dr.Maddie

Facts on Childhood Asthma

Photo Credit: Phaitoon

Asthma is a condition that affects the airways of the lungs. The airways become extra sensitive to certain triggers, like infections, cigarette smoke and dust. The airways then become narrowed, making it difficult for the sufferer to breathe properly.

Childhood asthma is common and is usually diagnosed when the child is around 3-years-old. In many cases, the child will grow out of the condition before reaching adulthood. If your child is diagnosed with asthma, your doctor will prescribe medication to help prevent the attacks and help relieve symptoms should an attack occur. It is very important your child has these available at all times, so make sure he has supplies for school, nursery or any other carer.

Minimizing triggers can help so keep your house as dust-free as possible. Your child’s bed should also be free of toys, especially stuffed animals and other cuddly toys. You should wash your child’s bedding regularly, as this will get rid of dust mites. These are commonplace in bedding and not just restricted to dirty or unwashed bedding. Most importantly, you should enforce a no smoking policy in your home. Cigarette smoke is a major irritant and will only increase your child’s chances of having an asthma attack. Passive smoking means there are also other serious health implications if you or anyone else smokes around your child.

ADHD and Your Child

Courtesy of NayPong.

     

Raising a child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can be a challenging time for a family and it can be difficult to accept the child is not simply being naughty or badly behaved. A staggering 10-percent of school age children are thought to have ADHD, with boys three times more likely to suffer than girls. While it is completely normal for a child to be naughty at times, children with ADHD will behave this way for greater periods of time and in a number of different situations.

There is no defined test to diagnose a child with ADHD; instead, the child must undergo an indepth evaluation. This usually involves the child being evaluated by several different professionals, including pediatricians, doctors and psychologists. A child must meet a certain criteria before receiving a diagnosis of ADHD

1.       A child’s behavior must display a range of certain behaviors from predefined groups before the age of seven.

2.       These behaviors must not be age-specific and must be severe.

3.       The behavior must continue for a prolonged amount of time, usually at least 6-months.

4.       The behavior must have a negative impact on the child’s school and home life.

As well as meeting the above criteria, a doctor will also do standard tests on the child’s hearing and vision. This rules out other possible explanations for the child’s behavior. The doctor or psychologist will also ask the child’s parents about any issues at home or school. Other stresses, such as bullying, new sibling and any major changes to the child's routine must all be ruled out before an official ADHD diagnosis is made. A full school and educational evaluation is also carried out, this will uncover any underlying problems that could possibly explain the child’s behavior.

It is important for the parents of an ADHD child to realise that their child’s condition is not a result of a poor diet or most importantly, poor parenting. Although the causes of ADHD are unknown at this time, tests and studies indicate it could possibly be a genetic condition. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, with a combination of drug and counseling therapy there is no reason an ADHD child cannot lead a perfectly normal life. There is no cure for ADHD, but it is possible to successfully manage the condition.

Parents of ADHD children should seek the appropriate support and accept the help available, whether this is through family, the child’s school or specialist agencies. If you have a child with ADHD and you are finding it difficult to cope, please feel free to email me at Madeline.Mahoney@yahoo.co.uk