Mental health disorders affect people of all ages, even children. In fact, a 2016 National Survey on Children’s Health found that as many as 1 in 6 children between the ages of 6 and 17 have some type of mental health disorder. Like adults, kids respond well to therapy and medications. Yet, the National Survey showed that nearly half of them don’t get the mental health services that could help them manage their condition and enjoy a better quality of life. 

Kids and mental health disorders 

Recognizing a mental health disorder in a child can be challenging. It’s easy to dismiss certain signs as immaturity, stubbornness, or just quirks of being a kid. But mental health disorders cause significant, persistent changes in how a child learns, behaves, or manages emotions. 

These changes may cause problems at home, school, and socially with friends. A child with a mental health disorder won’t outgrow a behavior as they age. But they can get better with the help of therapy, medications, or both. If you suspect your child has a mental health disorder, here’s what you need to know about getting a diagnosis and seeking treatment.

From the community: “I have been suffering from anxiety my whole life. As a child, in my schooling days, due to lack of awareness about mental illness, i never paid any attention to it. In my college days, I did realise for the first time that something was wrong with me when I started sweating in middle of my final exams and my heart started pounding very loudly, my brain stopped working. I got scared of the time running out and the fear of not completing the exam on time made me panic and my brain got numb. Outside the exam hall, when i heard from my fellow mates that it was a very easy exam, I was speechless as I was an A grade student. But, since it happened for the first time I just though it was weird and ignored it. And after that everything has just gone downhill. In my college days, any event or competition or any fest I participated in, I used to either quit it in middle or lose in it. This is how i wasted my next 4 years of my life. I just became under confident, never studied, stopped talking to people (due to the fear of getting laughed at or judged) and had 0 motivation in life. Basically, I quit every possible thing in my life which brought anxiety. But, as we know that running from problems is never a solution…” – Inspire member 

What causes a mental disorder in a child?

Medical experts aren’t sure why some children develop mental health disorders while others do not. Often, a variety of factors contribute to a condition. While there isn’t one particular cause, genetics, or a family history of a mental illness, seems to play a role. For instance, 3 out of 4 children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have a family member with the condition.

Other potential risk factors include:

• chemical imbalances in the brain or brain injuries

• exposure to toxins while in the womb or during early childhood

• substance abuse

• traumatic events, such as abuse, accidents, and loss of a loved one 

What mental disorders commonly affect children?

There are more than 200 different forms of mental illness. Certain ones are more likely to appear during childhood, like:

• ADHD

• anxiety disorders

• depression 

• eating disorders

ADHD

As many as 1 in every 20 children has ADHD, making it a common reason that parents seek mental health services for their child. Of course, most children have a lot of energy and may struggle to focus from time to time. Many children receive an ADHD diagnosis after they start school, when their behaviors become more disruptive and noticeable in the classroom. Your child’s pediatrician can perform an evaluation and refer you to a mental health professional who specializes in ADHD. 

There are three main types of ADHD that cause different symptoms:

• Hyperactive or impulsive: A child is fidgety and can’t sit still, interrupts people and talks too much, is always on the go, and can’t seem to wait for their turn.

• Inattentive: A child makes careless mistakes, has trouble focusing in class, is easily distracted, has difficulties finishing tasks, and tends to lose items.

• Combination: A child shows signs of being inattentive, hyperactive, and impulsive.

Nearly all kids with ADHD — 9 out of 10 — see an improvement in behaviors after taking medication. Behavioral therapy, including parental education and training, also helps.

From the community: “My teen daughter was in a life threatening situation last year that has caused a lot of residual trauma, PTSD, and more. We started with one psychologist and then we were swayed to move to a therapist specializing in Trauma/EMDR versus talk therapy. Now this therapist is barely doing any EMDR, just talk so I'm frustrated we moved her once. She said my daughter displays "some" personality disorder traits stemming from the trauma or some ADHD too. She ref'd me to a Psychiatrist for clinical evaluation. That doctor said she doesn't test for personality disorders and I need to go to a Neuropsychologist. I asked her why does her website say BPD, and she said she can treat BPD with meds but can't diagnose it??? When I looked up Neuropsychologist, their websites read more along brain injury and other things. I'm so confused and frustrated. Why can't a regular psychologist or psychiatrist test for BPD, it's all over many of their websites. I just need to stop wasting time and get the right diagnosis and right doctors because after 6 months, being bumped all around and spending thousands out of pocket and seeing no improvement is tiring for both of us.” – Inspire member

Anxiety disorders

An estimated 1 in 8 children has an anxiety disorder. They’re one of the most common mental illnesses affecting Americans of all ages. While it’s natural for a child to have some fears and worries, anxiety disorders cause extreme feelings of distress and apprehension that affect a child’s ability to participate in typical childhood activities like playing with friends, going to school, or enjoying a social outing.

There are different types of anxiety disorders like:

• Generalized anxiety disorders: Chronic worrying about grades, friends, family, or natural disasters causes fatigue, sleeplessness, irritability, and trouble concentrating.

• Obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD): Repetitive, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) lead to repeated rituals (compulsions). For example, a child obsessed with dirt and germs may compulsively wash their hands. 

• Panic disorders: A child experiences panic attacks (sudden, unexplained feelings of terror) that cause rapid heart rate, chest pain, trembling, and a fear of dying or losing control.

• Phobias: A child develops an irrational fear of something that is unlikely to cause serious harm. These fears may include a fear of needles (trypanophobia) or a fear of dogs (cynophobia).

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): A child who experiences a traumatic event like the loss of a parent, a violent assault, or a natural disaster may develop PTSD. Symptoms like panic attacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance can occur months or years after the trauma took place. 

• Selective mutism: A child refuses to talk in situations where they don’t feel safe or comfortable. In addition to remaining silent, they may chew or twirl their hair, stand motionless, and avoid eye contact.

• Separation anxiety disorder: About 4% of kids ages 7 to 9 develop separation anxiety disorder. They become excessively upset and anxious when they have to spend time apart from a parent. They may worry that something will happen to a parent while they’re apart.

• Social anxiety disorder: A child develops an intense fear of engaging with other people (including peers) or speaking in class. This fear affects the ability to attend school and participate in social functions. 

Children with anxiety disorders often improve with the aid of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). A mental health professional teaches your child techniques that help them overcome anxieties. Research indicates that combining CBT with antidepressants works better than therapy alone for kids with anxiety disorders. 

From the community: “MY DAUGHTER has an OCD and anxiety in severe that she can't even go to school, don't like to be around other children. She thinks kids are sticky and dirty. She has been taking Zyprexa 5mg. since she stayed in … hospital supposed to help her but they didn't do nothing but force her to group therapy. She can't be around children which are eating and drinking during the sessions or visits. They din't provide individual therapy either. I have been looking doctors and therapists almost a year now but i can't found one that accepts our … insurance. I don't understand who pays out of pocket to cover treatments, if you are rich your child gets help but if you don't have money or your insurance not accepted which your child suffers. Why i can't found a place to get help for my daughter, she is only 13 and she was an A+ student before this Ocd took power of her and our life over.” – Inspire member 

Depression 

About 3 million youths ages 12 to 17 suffer from depression. The mental health disorder can increase a child’s risk of self-injury like cutting, as well as suicidal thoughts. Many of these kids also struggle with anxiety. 

About 3% of youths develop bipolar disorder, a different type of mood disorder. They experience periods of extreme lows (depression) mixed with extreme highs (mania).

A child with depression may:

• cry more than usual, or appear extremely sad, unhappy, or even grouchy

• express self-critical thoughts like “I can’t do anything right” or “I’m worthless”

• give up activities they once loved like sports, hobbies, or time with friends

• have more headaches, stomachaches, or other health complaints than usual

• sleep too much or have trouble sleeping

• overeat or eat too little

• seem to tire more easily, or give up without putting forth much effort

Mental health professionals often use a combination of therapy (often CBT) and antidepressants to help children experiencing depression. 

Eating disorders

Eating disorders — an unhealthy relationship with food as it relates to a person’s body weight — can start as early as age 12 (sometimes sooner). Girls are more likely to develop an eating disorder, but boys get them, too. Eating disorders can affect a child’s physical and mental health. 

Younger children may develop avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). A child with ARFID is unable to eat certain foods due to issues with texture, taste, or a combination. This aversion leads to nutritional deficiencies and unhealthy weight loss.

Adolescents may develop anorexia nervosa (self-starvation), bulimia nervosa (binging and then purging), or binge eating disorder (overeating even when full).

Sources

• Childhood depression: What parents need to know. Nemours. September 2021.

• Study: One in six U.S. children has a mental illness. American Academy of Family Physicians. March 2019.

• Anxiety disorders in children. Anxiety Disorders Association of America.

• Common mental health diagnosis in children and youth. Association for Children’s Mental Health.

• Depression in children. Cleveland Clinic. November 2020.

• Whitney DG, et al. U.S. national and state level prevalence of mental health disorders and disparities of mental health care use in children. JAMA Pediatrics. February 11, 2019.

• Mental illness in children: Know the signs. Mayo Clinic. February 2020.

• ADHD and ADD. Mental Health America.

• Mental illness and the family: Recognizing warning signs and how to cope. Mental Health America.

• Quick facts and statistics about mental health. Mental Health America. 

• Bipolar disorder. National Institute of Mental Health.

• Children and mental health: Is this just a stage? National Institute of Mental Health. 2021.

Disclaimer

Member comments are lightly edited for length and to remove identifying information but are otherwise reproduced as they appear in the community as part of public posts.

This content is for general informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of any organization or individual. The content should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider about any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.