Protecting Children with Mental Disorders
Thursday, June 25th, 2009Who are the predators? Predators are Cyber Stalkers, serial killers/rapists, rapists, paedophiles, women beaters, child abusers, thieves and so on. Predators very often have mental disorders that keep them from behaving correctly in normal society. Children with mental disorders are often the prey of these predators, and sometimes children with mental illnesses are the predators themselves. In fact, the creator of one of the most serious viruses online came from an eighteen-year old English boy.
Dangers mental disorders: Not everyone with a mental disorder is a danger to society. Generally, predators with mental disorders 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 disorder. Treat your child as special, yet avoid treating the child as if he/she is mentally ill, since a lot of mentally ill patients are extremely intelligent. Teach your child the same rules that other children have to live by and stick to the rules. Do not leave room for movement when danger is present. Teach your child respect by showing respect yourself.
Children with dangerous mental illnesses will often engage in pornography, violent images, content, and so forth. This makes it difficult as a parent to protect your child. It is important that you enforce the laws. Never put yourself in danger while enforcing these laws, since some children with dangerous problems may cause you harm.
If the child won’t listen to you, bring in the police and make sure that they do their job to help you enforce the rules. You may have to pay court fees and go through all sorts of rigmarole, but I can promise you that it will benefit you in the end. As a mother who is raising two boys with dangerous mental problems, I can tell you it won’t be easy but it can be done.
Children with mental illnesses often have brilliant minds that can usually get round any parental controls and will do so without you even knowing. Take extra time than normal to monitor your child’s behaviour online. Teach your child that giving out personal details is restricted and encourage them to ask your permission when considering 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 crime committed against them.
One of the most difficult things you’ll ever have to do while raising a child with mental health issues is teaching him/her to avoid from violent images and pornography. It is next to impossible to keep them clear of this trash. However, it can be done, if you set a good example for the child to follow.
It is important that you leave the channels of communication open. 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.
The best advice I can offer you for dealing with children with major mental disorders, such as psychopathy, is to seek help and stand firm. For additional child safety advice for children with mental disorders get advice from a qualified counsellor.
Note Well: Children learn what they see and hear.