When it comes to mental health, there are hurdles to face at any age. Mental Health is not something that you just deal with once and then forget about. Being very young or old doesn’t mean you’re immune. Here are some of the mental health issues to be aware of at every age. Like I said in an earlier post, in retrospect, I can see my depression and symptoms started around age 7. That is really hard for some to swallow. Myself, included.

However, the reality of it all is that your life is your life at any age. Your own reality is all you know. So when something hinders it, it will cause a tidal wave. Let’s take a look at the different stages of life and how to take care of our mental health at any age.

How to take care of your mental health at any age

In Childhood

It’s a common misconception that children don’t suffer from mental health issues. But research has shown it’s far more common than we think- with around one in ten children having some form of mental health disorder. These can include depression, anxiety, and conduct disorders.

In many cases, mental health issues can be a direct response to what is happening in their lives, and so it’s important to take steps to ensure their mental health needs, as well as their physical needs, are being met.

This includes feeding them a healthy diet and ensuring they have regular exercise. Giving them the freedom to play, enjoying time in different environments both indoors and outdoors. They should socialize with family as well as peers and get used to being around new people- taking them to activities for children such as classes, sports and play groups can help with this.

Children need to be in a safe and relaxed environment, a family or school that’s very chaotic and is full of arguments and stress can lead to increased stress levels and mental health issues. No one is a  perfect parent and that’s fine- but we do need to do whatever we can to give our children a safe, secure and supported upbringing.

Being close to your children and letting them know that they can come to you with any problems can help to relieve stress, as opposed to them bottling up their feelings.

In Adulthood

In most cases, mental health issues will start in adolescence or adulthood. For people who are already prone to a mental health disorder (due to hereditary or brain chemical imbalances) such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder– it’s usually in adolescence that symptoms will appear. This is because it’s a time of growth and changes are happening in the brain and body. It might be a time when people start to try drugs or alcohol which can essentially tip a mental health problem over the edge. Due to the pressures of work, family, relationships, and money, lots of adults that are otherwise well can suffer from depression and anxiety. While most people struggle with this at one time or another, it’s definitely something that can be managed and even overcome with the right help.

In Elderly People

Any mental health issues people have suffered with during their adult lives can, of course, continue through to later in life. However, as we get older, we’re more prone to developing other issues such as dementia and Alzheimers. This can be upsetting for the patient as well as their family, but again the right care can make all the difference. Companies like Assisting Hands means that people can stay living in their own home as opposed to having to move into a nursing home. Regular visits from the family and maintaining hobbies and interests can help to prevent loneliness and keep the mind sharp.

Always reach out and ask for help if you need it, managing your condition allows you to enjoy life again and live it to the fullest.