If you’re a parent, you know the struggle of upbringing your kids. Now imagine life as a parent struggling with a severe mental disorder such as depression or generalized anxiety. The kids can be a source of nagging, which can further intensify the symptoms of a mental illness.
On the other hand, parents’ bad mental health can also impact their children’s emotional and social lives. Let’s find out how.
What are the common mental health conditions that can affect parenting?
When mental health experts look at the relationship between the mental well-being of parents and their children, they largely consider the following diagnosable mental illnesses:
- Personality disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
The severity of these mental health issues and their impact on the children’s growth can vary depending on the individual circumstances and the presence or absence of social support.
What are the impacts of parent’s mental health on children?
Many parents may try to minimize the impact of mental health conditions on their children if they are aware of its negative consequences. However, sometimes they might find it challenging to overcome the symptoms of mental illnesses as a parent.
Neglecting children’s emotional needs
During the early stages of development, a child needs constant emotional support and attention from their parents. If they don’t have open communication with their parents, they might have difficulty meeting their emotional needs. As a result, it can suppress their feelings which can lead to mental health issues in their later life stages.
Physical and emotional abuse
Parents struggling with bipolar disorders can have a volatile relationship with their children. When combined with work stress and financial burdens, they can channel their negative emotions onto their children and which can often lead to emotional and physical abuse.
Coping with challenges
Mental disorders can severely impact a person’s ability to cope with life challenges. As a result, parents with mental health issues may find it challenging to transfer any useful life skills that will help their children cope with stressful life situations.
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