Common Mental Health Issues in Child Psychiatry

Children who have mental health issues need a psychiatrist to get better. Kids who suffer from these problems experience a drastic change in their emotions or behavior. This can cause problems as the child tries to get through the day. It may even cause distress. If you want to know the common mental health issues in children, here are the details from a psychiatrist.

Depression

It is normal for children to feel hopeless or sad sometimes. But this feeling should pass after a short while. Some children feel sad for long periods. This causes disinterest in things they used to love doing. These children become hopeless even in correctible situations. A psychiatrist can detect if this ailment is serious.

Persistent sadness may be a sign of depression. Parents often become worried about this change. Kids also experience changes in patterns of daily living. Below are some of the common behaviors in children with depression:

• Feeling guilty and useless
• Refuses to enjoy doing fun activities
• Injuring oneself
• Irritability
• Sluggishness
• Restlessness
• Sleeping more or less than usual
• Eating more or less than usual
• Inability to pay attention

Anxiety

Childhood worries are natural. These fears may begin to interfere with playing and learning. The stress can even prevent proper interactions with family and friends. The child can be afraid of being away from the parents. Fear of insects, dogs, doctors, dentists, or school can set in. The child can also be very afraid of bad things happening or places packed with people.

Experiencing dizziness, irregular breathing, and shakiness is also common in children with anxiety. The child may also develop fatigue, stomachaches, and headaches. Some children show these symptoms and signs. Others do not. Many of them do not even look sad at all. This is when a psychiatrist can help.

Depression may cause a child to lose motivation. This often leads to troublemaking. Most adults fail to see the depression. The unnoticed disorder is often mistaken as laziness or mischief. Bringing the child to a psychiatrist can help the child achieve a better quality of life.

CD (conduct disorder)

CD is a continuous pattern of aggression toward animals and other people. The child also violates social norms and rules. As the child grows up, these minor violations become law-breaking, which ends up in arrests. Kids with CD often have injuries most of the time.

ODD (oppositional defiant disorder)

This problem manifests as acting out in a persistent way. ODD usually starts when the child turns eight. It does not begin after 12 years old. ODD children oppose those they know well. Losing one’s temper, arguing with adults, and blaming others for one’s mistakes are common signs of ODD. Being spiteful and easily annoyed are also common symptoms. A psychiatrist can check the child and treat ODD right away.

ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)

Many children suffer from this common neurodevelopmental disorder. This is often first detected during childhood. It then lasts even when the child reaches adulthood. A child with ADHD has trouble paying attention. Hyperactivity and impulsiveness may also manifest. Here are other signs of ADHD in kids:

• Cannot resist temptation
• Frequent daydreaming
• Loses things and forgets most of the time
• Takes unnecessary risks
• Talks too much

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A psychiatrist can catch and treat common mental issues in children

It may be difficult to notice significant changes in children with mental issues. Each child is different and may manifest symptoms in a different way as well. A psychiatrist can help diagnose your child with proper techniques. Treatment will follow to help maintain the child’s general health.

Request an appointment or call NYC Psychiatric Associates at 917-391-0076 for an appointment in our New York office.