By Mayo Clinic Staff
Mental illness in children can be hard for parents to identify. As a
result, many children who could benefit from treatment don't get the
help they need. Understand the warning signs of mental illness in
children and how you can help your child cope.
Why is it hard for parents to identify mental illness in children?
It's typically up to the adults in a child's life to identify whetherthe child has a mental health concern. Unfortunately, many parents don't
know the signs and symptoms of mental illness in children. Even if you
know the red flags, it can be difficult to distinguish signs of a
problem from normal childhood behavior. You might reason that every
child displays some of these signs at some point. Concerns about the
stigma associated with mental illness, the use of certain medications
and the cost of treatment might also prevent parents from seeking care
for a child who has a suspected mental illness.
What mental health conditions affect children?
Children can experience a range of mental health conditions, including:- Anxiety disorders. Children who have anxiety
disorders — such as obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress
disorder, social phobia and generalized anxiety disorder — experience
anxiety as a persistent problem that interferes with their daily
activities. - Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
This condition typically includes a combination of issues, such as
difficulty sustaining attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. - Autism. Autism is one of a group of serious
developmental problems called autism spectrum disorders that appear in
early childhood — usually before age 3. Though symptoms and severity
vary, all autism disorders affect a child's ability to communicate and
interact with others. - Eating disorders. Eating disorders — such as
anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder — are
serious conditions. Children can become so preoccupied with food and
weight that they focus on little else. - Mood disorders. Mood disorders — such as
depression and bipolar disorder — can cause a child to feel persistent
feelings of sadness or extreme mood swings. - Schizophrenia. This chronic mental illness causes a child to lose touch with reality (psychosis).
What are the warning signs of mental illness in children?
Warning signs that your child might have a mental health condition include:- Mood changes. Look for feelings of sadness or
withdrawal that last at least two weeks or severe mood swings that cause
problems in relationships at home or school. - Intense feelings. Be aware of feelings of
overwhelming fear for no reason — sometimes with a racing heart or fast
breathing — or worries or fears intense enough to interfere with daily
activities. - Behavior changes. This includes drastic changes in
behavior or personality, as well as dangerous or out-of-control
behavior. Fighting frequently, using weapons or expressing a desire to
badly hurt others also are warning signs. - Difficulty concentrating. Look for signs of trouble focusing or sitting still, both of which might lead to poor performance in school.
- Unexplained weight loss. A sudden loss of appetite, frequent vomiting or use of laxatives might indicate an eating disorder.
- Physical harm. Sometimes a mental health condition leads to suicidal thoughts or actual attempts at self-harm or suicide.
- Substance abuse. Some kids use drugs or alcohol to try to cope with their feelings.
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