Mental Health Medication for Children: Attitude is everything

Working with adult populations in addiction recovery I have heard several describe their childhood pharmacological treatment with extreme shame and guilt. Several have made statement such as "My mom (or Dad) couldn't handle me so she drugged me. I was too much for her and I made her life hard." The attitude of children needing to be medicated to alleviate burden and stress strongly contributed to the child's self-concept being rooted in shame.

When working with a child who requires mental health medication the attitude and attunement of the parent to be connected to the child during this process is critical for a balanced perspective of the mental health process. Children experience and exhibit disorders differently than adults and often are not aware of their body's reactions to stimuli, diet, or the side effects of medication. It falls on the shoulders of the parent to be attuned to their child and have conversations that create open dialogue around the purpose of each medication, mediation safety, and the effects of the medications prescribed. Incorporating mindfulness practices and routine check in's throughout the day and after meals can be helpful in this process. Using alternative coping strategies and behavior interventions can allow the child to build a sense of internal self-regulation. This is one of the most profound ways to incorporate essential oils with children with mental health concerns. Using sensory supports such as weighted blankets, compression clothing, systematic hot baths may also help reduce physical sensations accompanied with a balanced diet and appropriate amounts of sleep.

I have found that equal to the medication treatment plan for mental health disorders or other medical needs, it is the parent or caregivers responsibility to support the emotional well being of the child in the attitude they express throughout the care giving process. Learning to manage the conversations and attitudes we share with our children concerning their mental health is critical in shaping their self-concept and identity.

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