Mental Illness in Children: How to Tell If Your Child Needs Professional Help

Go into any classroom, and you are sure to find at least a handful of kids that have been diagnosed (not necessarily by a qualified professional) with ADD or ADHD. You will also probably find a child who suffers from depression, anxiety, or another disorder. Children everywhere are being labeled as having these illnesses, while many children that do need help are overlooked. In this article I will discuss 3 of the most common mental disorders found in children.

Depression

Once thought of as an adolescent or adult condition, more and more children are coming up being clinically depressed. In fact, up to 3 percent of children and 8 percent of adolescents are afflicted with this disorder (www.childhooddisorders.com). Depression in children is presented in slightly different ways than in adults, which may be one reason it is often overlooked.

Children suffering from depression may: pretend to be sick, want to stay home from school, cling to a parent, misbehave in school, experience a loss in appetite, or have changes in sleep patterns (www.mentalhealth.com). These are only some of the more common symptoms, and as is true with any of these disorders, a child may exhibit some or all of these symptoms, but this does not warrant a diagnosis by the parent.

If you are concerned that your child may be suffering from mental illness, seek medical or psychological help as soon as possible.

Treatment for depression may include psychotherapy, individual counseling, family counseling, or possibly medication, such as an anti-depressant. Many of these medications are not approved for children under 12, however. Only your doctor can make this determination.

ADD/ADHD

The most publicized mental disorder in children is ADD/ADHD, Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder. This condition is over diagnosed in the United States. Conversely, many children who do suffer from this disorder go ignored because they do not fit the "typical" ADD mold. ADD is said to affect 3-5% of American children (www.childhooddisorders.com).

Many people think of depression as an "adult's illness," however, many children suffer as well.

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