When it comes to children experiencing anxiety and depression, he rarely thinks a parent’s own struggles with mental health are the direct cause. “We don’t blame someone for having diabetes.”Įli Lebowitz, director of the Yale Child Study Center’s Program for Anxiety Disorders, agreed. “Mental health issues should be considered like any other illness,” she said. Sometimes the anxious child can elicit less parental warmth or overprotection, as studies show.”īut no matter where and how mental illness starts - something that may be impossible to pinpoint with precision - Burstein wants parents to know that nobody is to blame. “The relationship between parent and child is bidirectional and complex. “This is a bit of a chicken-and-egg phenomenon,” Burstein said. Also, it’s not always something that is passed from parent to child a child’s behavior can impact their parent. It’s likely a combination of genetics, biology and environment, Burstein said. Why some kids are happier right now, and other unexpected effects of quarantine Murtadha Al-Sudani/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Often, these disorders appear in childhood or adolescence.Īn Iraqi father, Mustafa C., is seen with his children, Rukayye and Ali, who are painting to draw attention to the novel coronavirus during a day of quarantine in Baghdad, Iraq, on April 18, 2020. There is a long-established relationship between parent and child mental health problems, explained Marcy Burstein, a clinical psychologist and employee of the National Institute of Mental Health, who has researched this topic.Ĭhildren of parents with anxiety disorders are four to six times more likely to develop an anxiety disorder in their lifetime, and children of parents with depression are three to four times more likely to develop depression. ![]() The relationship between parent and children’s mental health This is the case whether it’s we parents or our kids experiencing anxiety or depression. What matters more than how unsettled we feel is how we deal with these unsettling feelings. Nor does a parent’s anxiety or depression mean the kid will inevitably experience anxiety or depression now, or in the future. The good news is that kids don’t need us to be pillars of strength amid the wreckage. Think about scheduling calls, FaceTime, texting, or sharing online calendars to stay connected about their activities and events.Got a stress headache? This 5-minute routine brings relief Some teens may feel more comfortable texting than talking face-to-face. Be supportive by offering encouragement in difficult times, helping your teen to brainstorm solutions, and offering your guidance.Building trust means respecting boundaries. Respect your teen's privacy-they may not want to share every detail of their thoughts, experiences, or feelings, and that is OK. ![]() Not only will this show your teen that you are willing to open up about vulnerable topics, but it will show them that they are not alone. Share experiences from your own teen years. ![]() ![]() Acknowledge and validate your teen's feelings even if you do not understand or agree with them.Instead of saying, "How was your day?" try something more specific like, "What was the most interesting part of your day?" This can be done by maintaining eye-contact, avoiding interruptions, avoiding dismissing concerns, giving your teen your undivided attention, and showing a genuine interest in what they have to say. Create a non-judgemental, safe space where your teen can feel comfortable talking freely about their experiences without fear of criticism or rejection.Establish a routine of checking in-like a weekly family meeting- to help set the expectation and create consistency.
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