Mental health disorders are common in children, with about one in five children (ages 3 to 17) in the U.S. having been diagnosed with a mental, emotional, or behavioral condition in 2021. As a parent, it’s important to recognize the signs of mental health issues in your child so that you can get them the appropriate pediatric mental health support.
Common Mental Health Disorders in Children
Mental health disorders that affect children are similar to those that occur in adults. Often, mental health disorders that onset in childhood will need to be treated in adulthood as well. Common mental health disorders in children include:
- Anxiety disorders: Characterized by persistent fear or worry that disrupts the child’s ability to function normally. The anxiety disorder may be generalized anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, or social anxiety disorder.
- Depression: Persistent sadness with a loss of interest in normal activities.
- Bipolar disorder: Characterized by extreme mood swings, from severe depression to “highs” that may result in risky behavior.
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Difficulty paying attention, impulsive behavior, excessive activity.
- Eating disorders: Excessive focus on an ideal body type and weight loss leading to unsafe eating habits.
- Post traumatic stress disorder: Characterized by excessive worry, nightmares, bad memories, and acting out. Occurs due to a traumatic experience, abuse, or injury.
- Schizophrenia: Loss of touch with reality, hallucinations, and strange thoughts and behaviors.
Signs of Mental Health Disorders in Children
Each mental health disorder has different symptoms. Signs to watch for include:
- Sadness that lasts more than two weeks
- Moodiness
- Behavior problems at home or school
- Sudden changes in personality or behavior
- Persistent worry
- Changes in eating habits
- Loss of weight
- Changes in sleep habits
- Difficulty concentrating
- Poor school performance
- Avoidance of social situations
- Self-harm (which they may hide with clothing like long sleeves)
- Talk of death or suicide
Diagnosing Mental Health Disorders in Children
If you suspect that your child may have a mental health disorder, you should first document all the symptoms that you see. You should also speak with their teachers or other caregivers to get information about their observations. Then visit your child’s primary care doctor to discuss your concerns. They will likely perform a full medical exam and then refer you to a mental health professional who will assess and diagnose your child.
Assessing your child will involve:
- Reviewing their medical history
- Reviewing family medical history including history of mental health disorders
- Discussing any history of trauma
- Review of all symptoms observed and mental health questionnaires for both the child and the parents
- Talking to the child and observing their behavior
Based on their assessment, they will make a diagnosis, although this diagnosis may change as they work with the child and learn more about them.
Treating Mental Health Disorders in Children
Treating mental health disorders in children will include talk therapy and potentially medication.
Talk therapy for young children will involve games or other types of play with the therapist to make them comfortable so that they will discuss their thoughts and feelings when prompted. The therapist will help them to learn how to manage their thoughts, feelings, and behavior.
Similarly, adolescents in therapy will learn how to cope with their thoughts, emotions, and worries, and how to change negative thoughts and behaviors.
Medications may include anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medications, antipsychotic medications, or mood stabilizers.
What Can You Do to Help Your Child?
In addition to getting your child professional pediatric mental health support, you can do several things to help them on a day-to-day basis.
- Take care of your own mental health
If you struggle as well, take care of your own mental health so you can be a role model to your child. If you use healthy coping mechanisms, they will learn from you.
- Be your child’s safe space to talk
Let your child know that you are always there for them if they need to talk about their emotions, fears, or anything that they’re struggling with. Always listen without judgment.
- Give them your time
Spending time with your child lets them know that they are loved and accepted, and that you are their greatest source of support.
- Don’t be afraid to talk about mental health
Instead of avoiding talking about mental health, look for opportunities to discuss it to create teaching moments. For example, if they have an issue with someone at school who is giving them a hard time, talk about what that person may be going through to make them behave that way. This can help them develop empathy.
- Control your reactions to your child’s behavior
When mental health issues in children come with behavioral issues, it can be hard to not to get angry. It’s important to stay calm and to provide unconditional love.
- Use positive reinforcement
Always positively reinforce good behavior and using healthy coping skills. Praise them or offer small rewards.
- Keep your household healthy
Physical health and mental health are related, so encourage healthy eating, exercise, and regular sleep schedules.
- Encourage social connection
Social connection is important for mental health, so encourage play dates for young children, and social activities for older children.
In Closing
Recognizing the signs of a mental health disorder in your child is key to getting them the support they need quickly. Mental health disorders are manageable with treatment. At Health Service Alliance, our pediatric mental health professionals are here to help. We are dedicated to providing compassionate, personalized, and accessible care for your child regardless of your ability to pay. Reach out today to learn more.
