While mental health professionals and other experts continue to fight stigma around adult mental health, childhood mental health disorders are even more underreported and less acknowledged publicly than adult mental disorders. This can be a real problem, as early intervention in childhood mental health disorders can be key to effective treatment.
First, let's take a look at what defines a mental health disorder. A mental health disorder (also commonly known as mental illness or a mental health condition) is a condition that affects a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Common mental health disorders in children include anxiety disorders or depressive disorders.
Mental health disorders can be diagnosed and treated by a mental health professional, but for many the challenge is seeking help. This can be especially true in children, as many parents feel social stigma around mental disorders and either don't acknowledge the problem or try to hide it.
Many mental health disorders in children can be effectively treated with medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. Mood and anxiety disorders in children and adolescents can be difficult to spot. Identifying mental disorders in children can be tricky due to their unique physical, mental, and emotional changes during growth and development. In addition, children can have more than one mental disorder.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common mental health disorder in children, affecting about 9% of youth under 17 years old. Symptoms of ADHD include inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
Diagnosis for ADHD requires a proper assessment from a health care provider. Many children and adolescents are evaluated and diagnosed because of behaviors noticed in a school setting, and schools will often offer services to help manage symptoms and ensure academic success. Treatment options for ADHD include counseling, medications, and behavior therapy.
Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disorder that may be more commonly diagnosed in children than other disorders as it can impact development and academic success. Autism and ADHD can share similar symptoms and, in some cases, may overlap.
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorders in adolescents. At any given time, one in eight adolescents meets clinical criteria for an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders can include social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and specific phobia. Symptoms of anxiety disorders include excessive worry, fear, and avoidance behaviors. Treatment options for anxiety disorders include counseling, psychotherapy, and medication.
Major depressive disorder is a common mental health disorder in children, affecting 3% of children and 13.3% of young adults aged 12 to 17. This is a serious mental illness that can impact both physical and mental health. Symptoms of depression include persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and changes in appetite or sleep patterns. Treatment options for mood disorders like depression include cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, and medication.
According to the Mental Health Services Administration (MHSA), eating disorders most commonly occur in younger people, typically adolescents with some children and young adults also in the mix. Eating disorders are behavioral conditions with unhealthy eating habits.
Two main types of eating disorders often begin in childhood and carry into adulthood: anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Warning signs of eating disorders include restrictive eating, binge eating, and purging behaviors. Treatment options for eating disorders include psychotherapy, medication, and nutrition counseling. Because this is a complex mental illness, typically a team approach is used, and hospitalization may be necessary in some cases.
One of the mood disorders, bipolar disorder, is a mental illness that affects approximately 2% of the population. Symptoms of bipolar disorder include extreme mania followed by depression. There are several different types of bipolar disorder, and the complexity of symptoms can make it difficult to diagnose and treat. Treatment options for bipolar disorder include medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes.
Mental health disorders in children can be difficult to detect because typical childhood growth is a process that involves change.
The symptoms of a condition may depend on a child’s age, and young children may not be able to express how they feel or explain why they are behaving a certain way.
Warning signs that your child may have a mental health disorder include changes in behavior, mood, or appetite, as well as difficulty sleeping or concentrating. Other signs may include social withdrawal, irritability, or difficulty controlling emotions. Substance abuse can be a common issue for children and adolescents experiencing mental disorders, as some may use it as a coping mechanism or for self-medication.
Mental health conditions in children are diagnosed and treated based on symptoms and how the condition affects a child’s daily life. Healthcare professionals may use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) or the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) to make a diagnosis.
Diagnosing mental illness in children can take time, and healthcare professionals may change or adjust a diagnosis over time. Many mental disorders occur simultaneously, and this can complicate the diagnosis of certain mental illnesses.
Mental illnesses require ongoing treatment, similar to medical disorders like diabetes or heart disease. Treatment options for children include medication and psychotherapy, with different dosing and side effects. For almost every mental illness, the best treatment results occur when the disorder is diagnosed early. It's imperative as a parent to observe your child's behavior and be ready to acknowledge symptoms and seek help as soon as you notice them.
Common treatments for children who have mental health conditions include therapy, medication, or a combination of both. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is commonly used to treat depression and anxiety disorders in children.
Medication may be prescribed to reduce symptoms but should be part of a treatment plan that includes counseling with a mental health professional.
Family plays a huge role in supporting a child’s treatment plan and can help them cope by being supportive, understanding, and patient. Encourage your child to express their feelings and concerns, and help them develop healthy coping mechanisms, such as exercise, mindfulness, or creative activities.
Mental health disorders can have a profound impact on peer and family relationships, educational attainment, and behavior. Risk factors for mental health disorders include family history, trauma, and substance abuse.
Mental disorders rarely have a single cause; rather, they typically develop as a result of several contributing factors. Some common risk factors for mental disorders in children and adolescents include:
Early treatment can help prevent or minimize the effects of a mental disorder. Research is ongoing to identify risk factors, develop effective treatments, and prevent mental disorders in children, but in the meantime, you can help by addressing known risk factors. Encourage healthy habits, such as regular exercise, healthy eating, and adequate sleep, and provide a supportive and nurturing environment for your child.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), mental health disorders in children are a significant public health concern in the United States. Early identification, prompt referral, and care coordination can help reduce morbidity and mortality associated with mental health disorders in children. Mental health services can be key to protecting and improving children's mental health.
At Williamsburg Therapy Group, our team of doctoral-level Austin psychotherapists allows you to work with a trained professional that can create a treatment plan, offering a variety of practical strategies, healthy coping skills, and techniques that will allow you to reduce the symptoms of mental illness in your child and help them experience a greater quality of life.
Never ignore or minimize signs of mental illness. With the right support, it’s possible to successfully treat a wide variety of mental illnesses and improve overall well-being. If you have been thinking about seeking help, reach out to our customer service coordinator to get matched with a professional who can offer tools and strategies to manage symptoms and help your child feel better.