Many young people in Hong Kong have symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders, both in primary school and secondary school. Mental health disorders not only harm the well-being of children and adolescents but also their mental health in the future.
Many clinicians are still reluctant to diagnose BPD in adolescents before they are 18. Stigma and misconceptions surrounding personality disorders cause clinicians to avoid the diagnosis, despite strong evidence that many young people show stable and persistent BPD symptoms. Instead, young people may be diagnosed with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, or psychotic disorders.
Bullying involves deliberate harmful actions from one person or group of people to another, where there is a power imbalance between those bullying and those being bullied. This power imbalance may be physical or social, based on characteristics like popularity, social group, or age.
Childhood trauma is one of the most important risk factors for the development of BPD. Many instances of childhood trauma happen within the family environment, through relationships and interactions between a child and their caregivers. These experiences can have a big impact on a young person’s emotional and social development, affecting the way they manage emotions and form relationships with others. Experts think these changes may underpin key traits and features of BPD.
Therapy can help a young child to understand what is going on in their life and inner world. It can also give them tools to cope with the difficult thoughts, emotions, and other challenges they may be facing.
There are probably around 100 trillion bacteria in the gut of every young person. These bacteria, known as the microbiota, exist in a symbiotic relationship with our bodies. They help us to digest food and receive nutrients that would otherwise be inaccessible, while our guts provide them with a rich and protected habitat.
Research has found a two-way relationship between procrastination and self-esteem. Low self-esteem causes young people to procrastinate more while procrastinating also decreases young people’s self-esteem (and vice-versa). This can lead to negative (or positive) cycles of self-esteem and procrastination.
Adolescence is a key period of development, growth, and change. This means that getting an adequate amount of sleep during this time is especially important. However, while scientists agree that adolescents need 8-10 hours of sleep to maintain proper health, many young people frequently sleep fewer hours.
Understanding the connection between childhood trauma and eating disorders helps to identify young people who are most at risk. It can also play a key role in the treatment and recovery process, addressing the underlying causes of thought patterns and behaviours that perpetuate eating disorders.
Have any questions or want to get started with the admissions process? Contact our friendly care team – they’ll be happy to answer any questions or concerns you might have and will walk you through how to prepare for your child’s stay at The Wave.
