Children's health (35)
- Children and TV: Limiting your child's screen time
- Learning disorders: Know the signs, how to help
- Helping children cope: Tips for talking about tragedy
- see all in Children's health
- Child development: Know what's ahead
- Child sleep: Put preschool bedtime problems to rest
- Thumb sucking: Help your child break the habit
- see all in Preschoolers
Elementary students (12)
- Kindergarten readiness: Help your child prepare
- Staying healthy in school: Kid-friendly tips
- Bullying: Help your child handle a bully
- see all in Elementary students
Mental illness in children: Know the signs
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 doctor. Describe the behavior that concerns you. Consider talking to your child's teacher, close friends or loved ones, or other caregivers to see if they've noticed any changes in your child's behavior. Share this information with your child's doctor, too.
How do health care providers 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. There are no simple tests to determine if something is wrong. To make a diagnosis, your child's doctor might recommend that your child be evaluated by a specialist, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, psychiatric nurse, mental health counselor or behavioral therapist. Your child's doctor or mental health provider will work with your child to determine if he or she has a mental health condition based on criteria in The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) — a guide published by the American Psychiatric Association that explains the signs and symptoms that mark mental health conditions.
Your child's doctor or mental health provider will also look for other possible causes for your child's behavior, such as a history of medical conditions or trauma. He or she might ask you questions about your child's development, how long your child has been behaving this way, teachers' or caregivers' perceptions of the problem, and any family history of mental health conditions.
Diagnosing mental illness in children can be difficult because young children often have trouble expressing their feelings and normal development varies from child to child. Despite these challenges, a proper diagnosis is an essential part of guiding treatment.
How is mental illness in children treated?
Common treatment options for children who have mental health conditions include:
- Psychotherapy. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy or behavioral therapy, is a way to address mental health concerns by talking with a psychologist or other mental health provider. During psychotherapy, a child might learn about his or her condition, moods, feelings, thoughts and behaviors. Psychotherapy can help a child learn how to respond to challenging situations with healthy coping skills.
- Medication. Your child's doctor or mental health provider might recommend that your child take certain medications — such as stimulants, antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, antipsychotics or mood stabilizers — to treat his or her mental health condition.
Some children benefit from a combination of approaches. Consult your child's doctor or mental health provider to determine what might work best for your child, including the risks or benefits of specific medications.
How can I help my child cope with mental illness?
Your child needs your support now more than ever. Before a child is diagnosed with a mental health condition, parents and children commonly experience feelings of helplessness, anger and frustration. Ask your child's mental health provider for advice on how to change the way you interact with your child, as well as how to handle difficult behavior. Seek ways to relax and have fun with your child. Praise his or her strengths and abilities. Explore new stress management techniques, which might help you understand how to calmly respond to stressful situations. Consider seeking family counseling or the help of support groups, too. It's important for you and your loved ones to understand your child's illness and his or her feelings, as well as what all of you can do to help your child.
To help your child succeed in school, inform your child's teachers and the school counselor that your child has a mental health condition. If necessary, work with the school staff to develop an academic plan that meets your child's needs.
If you're concerned about your child's mental health, seek advice. Don't avoid getting help for your child out of shame or fear. With appropriate support, you can find out whether your child has a mental health condition and explore treatment options to help him or her thrive.Previous page
(2 of 2)
- Jensen PS, et al. Overlooked and underserved: "Action signs" for identifying children with unmet mental health needs. Pediatrics. 2011;128:970.
- Pescosolido BA, et al. Public knowledge and assessment of child mental health problems: Findings from the national stigma study-children. 2008;47:339.
- Heneghan A, et al. Pediatricians' role in providing mental health care for children and adolescents: Do pediatricians and child and adolescent psychiatrists agree? Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. 2008;29:262.
- Anxiety disorders in children and adolescents fact sheet. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders-in-children-and-adolescents/anxiety-disorders-in-children-and-adolescents.pdf. Accessed Dec. 6, 2011.
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-teens-fact-sheet/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder.shtml. Accessed Dec. 6, 2011.
- Bipolar disorder in children and adolescents fact sheet. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder-in-children-and-adolescents/index.shtml. Accessed Dec. 6, 2011.
- Depression in children and adolescents fact sheet. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-in-children-and-adolescents/index.shtml. Accessed Dec. 6, 2011.
- Treatment of children with mental illness: Frequently asked questions about the treatment of mental illness in children. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/treatment-of-children-with-mental-illness-fact-sheet/index.shtml. Accessed Dec. 6, 2011.
- Information about mental illness and the brain. National Institute of Mental Health. http://science.education.nih.gov/supplements/nih5/Mental/guide/info-mental-a.htm. Accessed Dec. 6, 2011.
- Autism and genes. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. http://www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/pubs/upload/autism_genes_2005.pdf. Accessed Dec. 8, 2011.
- Eating disorders. American Psychological Association. http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/eating.aspx. Accessed Dec. 8, 2011.
- Schizophrenia. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/schizophrenia/complete-publication.shtml. Accessed Dec. 8, 2011.
- Mood disorders. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Dec. 12, 2011.
- Merikangas KR, et al. Prevalence and treatment of mental disorders among US children in the 2001-2004 NHANES. Pediatrics. 2010;125:75.