While growing up is a challenging phase for children, things can be all the more difficult if any or both the parents are suffering from a mental illness. Children brought in such families often face problems that are complex for their age and understanding. Many a times they may have to take up higher roles and responsibilities in their family and may have to take complete care of their younger siblings as well.
In such situations, children may feel ignored and may not always get the care and affection they deserve. Children may not be able to understand the scenario and may get upset, terrified or dejected with the situation. These children may not understand their own requirements and feel lonely and separated from the rest of the world. This can broadly affect their personality and pose a threat to their future lives.
Problems faced by children
Some children with a mental parent at home can feel extremely responsible and may begin to work and behave like a parent themselves. Some may have to quit education to earn or some may have to sacrifice some other aspirations. In a way, there is a possibility that such children may miss their childhood and begin facing the problems of adulthood very early in life.
These children commonly face problems like relationship difficulties, difficulty in self control and balance, feeling of guilt and embarrassment, fear of relationships, performance and life as a whole. These children often fall prey to negative emotions and may feel depressed and develop a feeling of hopelessness.
In contrast to this, some children may become completely irresponsible and may want to get out of the daily difficulties faced at home. In such case, these children may begin seeking ways to find comfort in pleasures outside home and may start indulging in alcohol, drugs or other addictions.
You can help
As a child facing this situation, you can help yourself by the following tips;
- Understand your parents conditions and do not feel guilty or embarrassed about it
- Learn your limits and take up responsibilities accordingly
- Give time for yourself and your ambitions and make attempt to work in that direction
- Talk to some other family member, share feelings and responsibilities
- Take help from support groups working for a similar cause, if required