Overview of Mental Health Disorders in Children

Depression

Anxiety and other stress disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Eating disorders

Other mental health disorders affect mainly children and teens:

Conduct disorder

Oppositional defiant disorder

Separation anxiety disorder

Mental health disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder rarely affect children, although they
sometimes start during adolescence.

All mental health disorders make it hard for your child to have relationships with others, learn in school,
and enjoy daily life. Mental health disorders cause your child to suffer.

What causes mental health disorders in children?

Some mental health disorders are caused by abnormal brain development or abnormal brain chemistry.
Sometimes these abnormalities are inherited. But doctors aren't sure what causes most mental health
disorders.

What are the symptoms of mental health disorders in children?

Symptoms of common mental health disorders in children are often similar to the feelings every child
has, such as sadness, fear, worry, anger, excitement, withdrawal, and loneliness. However, children with
a mental health disorder have feelings so intense that the feelings:

Interfere with their daily life

Cause them to suffer

How do doctors tell if my child has a mental health disorder?

To tell if your child has a mental health disorder, doctors will usually:

Ask you and your child's teachers about your child’s behaviors and any physical symptoms

Talk with your child and watch how he or she acts

Sometimes, do blood tests to see if a physical health problem is causing your child's symptoms

To make the diagnosis, doctors may need to send your child to a therapist who specializes in mental
health disorders.

How do doctors treat mental health disorders in children?

Treatment depends on what type of mental health disorder your child has and your child's age. Doctors
treat mental health disorders with:

Behavior therapy

Medicine