How To Help Children And Youth Suffering From Isolation
This is a very complicated issue. Isolation is dangerous for children & youth. Children & youth learn how to learn and love and get along with others through interaction and conversation with other children, youth and adults. Children & youth learn self control, language and communication skills through interaction with others, particularly with other children & youth. Isolation can prevent them from learning what is real and what is not.
Without help, isolation can damage a child or youth intellectually, emotionally, spiritually and physically. Lifelong inappropriate habits can develop. If the child or youth voluntarily isolates, it can be a sign of trouble; depression, mental illness, abuse, social difficulties, drug or alcohol involvement, exposure to confusing information, and cruising the Internet without supervision. Isolation can also be due to parental anxiety, often focused on unsafe neighborhoods and inappropriate playmates. It can also be due to the child or youth having a prolonged illness. When children or youth isolate themselves it can be due to and complicated by a combination of: family patterns; lack of communication skills; genetics; prolonged stress; unresolved abuse; nutritional imbalances; exposure to environmental pollutants; depression or other mental illnesses; low self-esteem; gender confusion.
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First, We Would Investigate |
Second, We Would Investigate |
For Long Term Support |
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On Our Own We Would Try: • Less or No TV, Movies, Video/Computer Games • Pets • Bedtime Stories and Chats • Wholesome Pleasures • Nature • Replace sodas, juices, sugars, fats, fast foods with water, veggies, whole grains, nuts, protein, fruit, slow food • Long Walks/Hikes • Back Rubs and Foot Massages |
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For Parents: • Pressuring the child or youth to just “get friends” or “do something” is not advised. This tends to create more anxiety and pressure. If they could, they would. • Find in yourself the faith that the child or youth will be okay. • Follow the child or youth’s quirks and interests. • To start, you may have to bring the world into your home rather than taking your child or youth into the world. Having tutors, teachers, come to the home may cost more; however, the child or youth may, with their help, develop enough confidence, interests and social connection to venture into the world. |