Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Protecting Children with Mental Disorders

By Marion Jones

Who are the predators? Predators are Cyber Stalkers, serial killers/rapists, rapists, paedophiles, women beaters, child abusers, thieves and so on. Predators often have mental problems that keep them from behaving properly in normal society. Children with mental illnesses are often the prey of these predators, and sometimes children with mental disorders are the predators themselves. In fact, the creator of one of the most dangerous viruses online came from an eighteen-year old from England.

Dangers mental disorders: Not everyone with a mental illness is a threat to society. Generally, predators with mental illnesses are plagued with sociopathic, psychopathic and anti-social disorders, oppositional defiance, conduct control disorders, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorders (BPD), and psychosis. While there are a few other mental illnesses that pose threats to our society, this is a list of the most common potential dangers that lurk on the streets and on the Internet.

How to save a child with mental disorders from dangers : Never treat your child as if he/she has a mental illness. Treat your child as special, yet avoid treating the child as if he/she is mentally ill, since many mentally ill patients are extremely intelligent. Teach your child the same rules that other children abide by and stick to the rules. Do not leave room for leniency when danger is present. Teach your child respect by showing respect yourself.

Children with dangerous mental illnesses will often want to watch pornography, violent images, content, and so forth. This makes it difficult as a parent to defend your child. However, it is vital that you lay down the rules. Never put yourself in danger while enforcing these rules, since some children with dangerous problems can be violent.

If the child refuses to listen to you, bring the police in and make sure that they do their job to help you enforce the rules. You may pay court fees and go through headaches, but I promise you it will benefit you in the end. As a mother raising two boys with dangerous mental diseases, I can tell you it won't be simple, but it can be done.

Children with mental disorders often have brilliant minds that can usually get round any parental controls and will do so without you even knowing. Take more time than normal to monitor your child's behaviour online. Teach your child that divulging personal details is dangerous and encourage them to ask your permission when thinking about giving name, phone number or other information online.

Leave room for your child to take some responsibility and always encourage your child to participate in family discussions that involve them. Encourage the child to protect their safety by encouraging them to report any wrong committed against them.

One of the most difficult things you'll ever have to do while raising a child with mental health issues is encouraging him/her to avoid from violent images and pornography. It is almost impossible to keep them away from this rubbish. However, it can be done, if you set a good example for the child.

It is important that you keep talking and listening to your child. Allow your child to express concerns, opinions, ideals, theories and so forth without demeaning the child. You will be astounded at the knowledge children with certain mental illnesses have, if you will only listen to them.

The best advice I can give you for dealing with children with major mental illnesses, such as psychopathy, is to seek help and stand firm. For additional child safety tips for children with mental disorders seek advice from a qualified professional.

Remember: Children learn what they see and hear.

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