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 disorders that keep them from behaving properly in normal society. Children with mental disorders are often the prey of these predators, and sometimes children with mental disorders are the predators themselves. In fact, the distributor of one of the most dangerous viruses online came from an eighteen-year old from England.

Dangers mental disorders: Not everyone with a mental disorder is a danger 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 present a threat to our society, this is a list of the most common potential dangers that wait 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 many 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 disorders will often want to watch pornography, violent images, content, and so forth. This makes it harder as a parent to protect 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 serious problems may cause you harm.

If the child refuses to 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 be worth it 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 often get past any parental controls and will do so without you even knowing. Take extra time than normal to monitor your child's activity online. Teach your child that giving out personal information is dangerous and encourage them to request your permission when considering divulging 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 hardest things you'll ever have to do while raising a child with mental health problems is teaching him/her to stay away 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 et cetera without demeaning the child. You will be astounded at the wisdom children with certain mental illnesses have, if you will only listen.

The best advice I can give 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 seek advice from a qualified professional.

Remember: Children learn what they see and hear. - 30309

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