Children of mentally ill parents

About 3 million children in Germany grow up with a mentally ill parent. This situation is challenging for the children: they cannot understand their parents' behavior, find themselves in loyalty conflicts, or are excluded outside the family. They have a significantly increased risk of developing health issues: about two-thirds of children with mentally ill parents develop a mental disorder themselves. It is important to address the problems and behavioral issues of children with mentally ill parents early on. Angela Plass and Silke Wiegand-Grefe explain how problematic situations can manifest within the family, where the dangers for affected children lie, and how therapy and counseling can help mitigate these issues. The authors pay special attention to the individual differences among the children and their unique relationship with their parents.