Common Childhood Disorders

For parents, the key to handling mental disorders of
children is to recognize the problem and seek
appropriate treatment. These disorders have specific
diagnostic criteria and treatments, and a complete
evaluation by a mental health provider can determine
whether a child needs help. Some of the mental
disorders commonly seen in children are depression,
ADHD, and conduct disorder.
Depression
As many as one in 10 children between ages six and 12
experience persistent feelings of sadness—the hallmark
of depression. Since children may not be able to
express or understand many of the core symptoms that
would indicate depression in adults, parents should be
aware of some key behaviors—in addition to changes
in eating or sleeping patterns—that may signal
depression in children:
A sudden drop in school performance
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
Outbursts of shouting, complaining, unexplained
irritability, or crying
Thoughts of death or suicide
Expressions of fear or anxiety
Aggression, refusal to cooperate, antisocial behavior
Use of alcohol or other drugs
Constant complaints of aching arms, legs, or stomach
with no apparent cause
Treatment is essential for children struggling with
depression so that they can be free to develop
necessary academic and social skills. Treatment
involves psychotherapy either alone or in combination
with medication. During psychotherapy, children learn
to express their feelings and to develop ways of coping
with their illness. Some children also respond to
antidepressant medications, but use of these
medications must be closely monitored. Psychiatric
medication should not be the only form of treatment,
but should be part of a comprehensive program.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD)
The main features of ADHD include hyperactivity,
impulsiveness, and an inability to sustain attention or
concentration. These symptoms occur at levels that
cause significant distress and impairment and are far
more severe than typically found in children of similar
ages and developmental levels. More common in boys
than in girls, this disorder often develops before age
seven, but is usually diagnosed between ages eight
and 10.
Children with ADHD:
Have difficulty finishing any activity that requires
concentration
Don’t seem to listen to anything said to them
Are excessively active—running or climbing at
inappropriate times, squirming in or jumping out of
their seats
Are very easily distracted
Talk incessantly, often blurting out responses before
questions are finished
Have serious difficulty waiting their turn in games or groups
May have specific learning disabilities
Treatment can include the use of medications,
psychotherapy and special educational programs to
help a child keep up academically. Between 70% and
80% of children with ADHD respond to medications,
which allow them a chance to improve their attention
span, perform tasks better, and control impulsive
behavior. Psychotherapy enables children to cope with
their disorder and the reaction of others to it. An
essential component of psychotherapy involves the
work of the child psychiatrist with both the child and
the parents to develop techniques for behavior
management.
Conduct Disorder
Children with conduct disorder exhibit behavior that
shows a persistent disregard for the norms and rules
of society. Conduct disorder is one of the most
frequently seen mental disorders in adolescents.
Because the symptoms are closely tied to socially
unacceptable or violent behavior, many people confuse
this illness with either juvenile delinquency or the
turmoil of the teen years. However, young people with
conduct disorder often have underlying problems that
have been missed or ignored, such as attention deficit
disorder, depression, epilepsy or a history of head and
facial injuries. Children who have demonstrated at
least three of the following behaviors over six months
should be evaluated for possible conduct disorder:
Stealing
Constantly lying
Deliberately setting fires
Skipping school
Breaking into homes, offices, or cars
Deliberately destroying others’ property
Displaying physical cruelty to animals or humans
Forcing others into sexual activity
Often starting fights
Using weapons in fights
Appropriate treatment for conduct disorder is
essential. Aimed at helping young people realize and
understand the effect their behavior has on others,
treatment includes behavior therapy and
psychotherapy, in either individual or group sessions.
For youngsters who have depression or ADHD, in
addition to conduct disorder, use of medications as
well as psychotherapy can lessen the symptoms