Mental illness in children

Mental disorders in children are quite common and occur in about a quarter of this age group in a given year.
1. Mental disorders in children are quite common and occur in about a quarter of this age group in a given year.
  1. Children with mental health problems may have lower educational achievement, greater involvement in the criminal justice system, and fewer stable placements in the child welfare system than their peers.
    1. What are the most common types of mental illness in children?
      1. Mental disorders in children are quite common and sometimes serious. About a quarter of children and of children and adolescents experience some type of mental disorder in a given year, a third at some point in their lives. one-third at some point in their lives.
        The most common type of mental disorders are anxiety disorders , such as generalized anxiety disorder (formerly called childhood overanxiety disorder) or separation anxiety disorder . Other common types of childhood mental illnesses include behavioral disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mood disorders such as depression, and substance use disorders such as alcohol use disorders. .
        What are the symptoms and signs of mental illness in children?
        *Poor school performance; *Persistent boredom; *Frequent complaints of physical symptoms, *such as headaches and stomachaches; *Sleep and/or appetite problems such as sleeping too much or too little, nightmares or sleepwalking ; *Behaviors that revert to those of an earlier age (regression), *such as bed-wetting , *tantrums, or becoming clingy; *Noncompliant or aggressive behaviors; and Behaviors that are more risk-taking and/or showing less concern for their own safety.
        What are the causes and risk factors for mental illness in children?
        As with most mental health disorders at any age, these disorders in children do not have a single definitive cause. Rather, individuals with these illnesses tend to have a number of biological, psychological and environmental risk factors that contribute to their development. Biologically, mental illnesses tend to be associated with abnormal levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin or dopamine in the brain, a decrease in the size of some areas of the brain, as well as increased activity in other areas of the brain. Physicians are more likely to diagnose girls with mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, compared to boys, while disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism-spectrum disorders are more often assigned to boys.
        How do health professionals diagnose mental illness in children?
        Many health care professionals can help make the diagnosis of mental illness in children, including licensed mental health therapists, pediatricians or other primary care providers, emergency physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, physician assistants, and social workers. One of these professionals is likely to conduct an extensive medical interview and physical examination or refer the child for such evaluations as part of establishing the diagnosis.
        What is the treatment of mental illness in children?
        Psychotherapy
        Psychotherapy ("talk therapy") is a form of mental health counseling that involves working with a trained therapist to discover ways to solve problems and cope with childhood emotional disturbances. It can be a powerful intervention, including producing positive biochemical changes in the brain. Two main approaches treat childhood mental illnesses, interpersonal psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. In general, these therapies take several weeks or months to complete. Each is aimed at relieving symptoms. More intense psychotherapy may be needed for longer periods of time when treating a very severe mental illness.
        Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
        The first is to educate the child and family about the nature of their illness. The therapist will emphasize that depression is a common illness and that most people can get better with treatment. The second is to define problems (such as abnormal grief, interpersonal conflicts, or having significant anxiety about meeting new people). Once the problems are defined, the therapist can help set realistic goals for resolving these problems and work with the child and family using various treatment techniques to achieve these goals.
        Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT):
        It has been found to be effective as part of the treatment of childhood mental illness. This approach helps relieve depression, anxiety and some behavioral problems, and reduces the likelihood that symptoms will recur by helping the child change the way he or she thinks about or reacts to certain problems.
        Psychological risk factors for mental illness in children include low self-esteem, poor body image, a tendency to be highly self-critical, and feeling helpless when faced with negative events. Adolescent mental disorders are associated in some way with the stress of bodily changes, including the fluctuating hormones of puberty , as well as with adolescents' ambivalence toward greater independence and with changes in their relationships with parents, peers, and others. Adolescents who suffer from conduct disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), clinical anxiety, or who have cognitive and learning problems, as well as problems relating to others, have an increased risk of also developing a mental disorder.
2. The most common childhood mental disorders are anxiety disorders, depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  1. Although less common, developmental and psychotic disorders in children can have a lifelong impact on the child and family.

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Mental illness in children

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	Created by Kevin Guzmán over 1 year ago