Mental illness in children: Know the
signs
來自梅約診所的資訊
Children can develop the same mental health conditions as
adults, but their symptoms may be different. Know what to watch for and how you
can help.
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 how to recognize warning signs of mental illness in children
and how you can help your child.
# What is a mental illness?
Mental health is the overall wellness of how you think, regulate your
feelings and behave. A mental illness, or mental health disorder, is defined as
patterns or changes in thinking, feeling or behaving that cause distress or
disrupt a person's ability to function.
Mental health disorders in children are generally defined as delays or
disruptions in developing age-appropriate thinking, behaviors, social skills or
regulation of emotions. These problems are distressing to children and disrupt
their ability to function well at home, in school or in other social
situations.
# Barriers to treating childhood
mental health disorders
It can be difficult to understand mental health disorders in children
because normal childhood development is a process that involves change.
Additionally, the symptoms of a disorder may differ depending on a child's age,
and children may not be able to explain how they feel or why they are behaving
a certain way.
Other factors might also prevent parents from seeking care for a child who
has a suspected mental illness. For example, parents might be concerned about
the stigma associated with mental illness, the use of medications, and the cost
or logistical challenges of treatment.
# Common disorders among children
Mental health disorders in children — or developmental disorders that are
addressed by mental health professionals — may include the following:
·
Anxiety disorders. Anxiety
disorders in children are persistent fears, worries or anxiety that disrupt
their ability to participate in play, school or typical age-appropriate social
situations. Diagnoses include social anxiety, generalized anxiety and obsessive-compulsive
disorders.
·
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD). Compared with most children of the same age, children
with ADHD have difficulty with attention, impulsive behaviors,
hyperactivity or some combination of these problems.
·
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Autism
spectrum disorder is a neurological condition that appears in early childhood —
usually before age 3. Although the severity of ASD varies, a child
with this disorder has difficulty communicating and interacting with others.
·
Eating disorders. Eating
disorders are defined as a preoccupation with an ideal body type, disordered
thinking about weight and weight loss, and unsafe eating and dieting habits.
Eating disorders — such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating
disorder — can result in emotional and social dysfunction and life-threatening
physical complications.
·
Depression and other mood disorders. Depression
is persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest that disrupt a child's
ability to function in school and interact with others. Bipolar disorder
results in extreme mood swings between depression and extreme emotional or
behavioral highs that may be unguarded, risky or unsafe.
·
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is
prolonged emotional distress, anxiety, distressing memories, nightmares and
disruptive behaviors in response to violence, abuse, injury or other traumatic
events.
·
Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a disorder in
perceptions and thoughts that cause a person to lose touch with reality
(psychosis). Most often appearing in the late teens through the 20s,
schizophrenia results in hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking and
behaviors.
# What are the warning signs of mental
illness in children?
Warning signs that your child may have a mental health disorder include:
·
Persistent sadness that lasts two weeks or more
·
Withdrawing from or avoiding social interactions
·
Hurting oneself or talking about hurting oneself
·
Talking about death or suicide
·
Outbursts or extreme irritability
·
Out-of-control behavior that can be harmful
·
Drastic changes in mood, behavior or personality
·
Changes in eating habits
·
Loss of weight
·
Difficulty sleeping
·
Frequent headaches or stomachaches
·
Difficulty concentrating
·
Changes in academic performance
·
Avoiding or missing school
# What should I do if I suspect my
child has a mental health condition?
If you're concerned about your child's mental health, consult your child's
health care provider. Describe the behaviors that concern you. Talk to your
child's teacher, close friends, relatives or other caregivers to see if they've
noticed changes in your child's behavior. Share this information with your
child's health care provider.
# How do health care professionals
diagnose mental illness in children?
Mental health conditions in children are diagnosed and treated based on
signs and symptoms and how the condition affects a child's daily life. To make
a diagnosis, your child's health care provider might recommend that your child
be evaluated by a specialist, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, clinical
social worker, psychiatric nurse or other mental health care professional. The
evaluation might include:
·
Complete medical exam
·
Medical history
·
History of physical or emotional trauma
·
Family history of physical and mental health
·
Review of symptoms and general concerns with parents
·
Timeline of child's developmental progress
·
Academic history
·
Interview with parents
·
Conversations with and observations of the child
·
Standardized assessments and questionnaires for child and
parents
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), a guide
published by the American Psychiatric Association, provides criteria for making
a diagnosis based on the nature, duration and impact of signs and symptoms. Another
commonly used diagnostic guideline is the International Classification of
Diseases (ICD) from the World Health Organization.
Diagnosing mental illness in children can take time because young children
may have trouble understanding or expressing their feelings, and normal
development varies. Your child's health care provider may change or refine a
diagnosis over time.
# How is mental illness in children
treated?
Common treatment options for children who have mental health conditions
include:
·
Psychotherapy. Psychotherapy is also known as
talk therapy or behavior therapy. Psychotherapy is a way to address mental
health concerns by talking with a psychologist or other mental health
professional. With young children, psychotherapy may include play time or
games, as well as talk about what happens while playing. During psychotherapy,
children and adolescents learn how to talk about thoughts and feelings, how to
respond to them, and how to learn new behaviors and coping skills.
·
Medication. Your child's health care
provider or mental health professional may recommend a medication — such as a
stimulant, antidepressant, anti-anxiety medication, antipsychotic or mood
stabilizer — as part of the treatment plan. Your child's provider will explain
risks, side effects and benefits of drug treatments.
# How can I help my child cope with
mental illness?
You will play an important role in supporting your child's treatment plan.
To care for yourself and your child:
·
Learn about the illness.
·
Consider family counseling that treats all members as
partners in the treatment plan.
·
Ask your child's mental health professional for advice on
how to respond to your child and handle difficult behavior.
·
Enroll in parent training programs, particularly those designed
for parents of children with a mental illness.
·
Explore stress management techniques to help you respond
calmly.
·
Seek ways to relax and have fun with your child.
·
Praise your child's strengths and abilities.
·
Work with your child's school to secure necessary
support.