It seems like every day we hear another story about some whacked out nut case blowing up something or going on a shooting rampage. There’s the Colorado theater shooter,Sandy Hook Elementary slaying,Boston Marathon bombers and now the bus driver kidnapper. These people have serious mental issues. Mental issues that,in every case,surfaced prior to any plans of committing their despicable acts.
We can lock them up and throw away the key or give them the death penalty. We can talk about how they should be shown no mercy,that they’re ‘monsters’,evil and deserve no compassion. How though,did innocent children grow up and turn into these infamous lunatics?
No one wants to think that their child eventually do something sinister and terrorizing. Why would anyone want to believe their child could be capable. The fact is that the number of mentally ill children in the US
According to the CDC in their first ever report on mental illness,children as young as 3 are being diagnosed with:
* ADHD (6.8%)
* Behavioral or conduct problems (3.5%)
* Anxiety (3.0%)
* Depression (2.1%)
* Autism spectrum disorders (1.1%)
* Tourette syndrome (0.2%) (among children aged 6–17 years)
If you spot any of the following in your preschool child,seek medical help:
* Temper tantrums
* Excessive nightmares
* Behavior problems at school
* Aggressiveness or cruelty
* Trouble sleeping
* Hyperactivity
* Very fearful,cries a lot or worries
* Disobedience
* Repeated separation anxiety
The above symptoms are a red flag for mental illness but could also signal other serious medical conditions. Hopefully the behavior is temporary and nothing to worry about. Still,it’s better to be safe than sorry. Take action now so you can help if your child has a problem. Years from now it may be too late. You don’t want to be sitting around at that time wondering what went wrong or beat yourself up for not reaching out.
