Q: How many children are affected by mental illness?

A <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2724377" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2016 study</a> of the National Survey of Children&#39;s Health data found one in six children between the ages of 6 and 17 has a treatable mental health disorder such as depression, anxiety, behavioral problems, or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).According to the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/data.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CDC</a>, here are the estimated prevalence rates for children between the ages of 3 and 17: <ul role="presentation"> <li>9% have received an ADHD diagnosis,</li><li>7% have a diagnosed behavior problem,</li><li>7% have diagnosed anxiety disorder, and </li><li>3% have diagnosed depression.</li> </ul> <hr/>Need to find a therapist near you? Check out the Therapy Finder Directory by SimplePractice to <a href="https://therapyfinder.com/therapists/child-or-adolescent/near-me" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">find licensed mental health therapists</a> with availability and online booking.<hr/>

Question 1

How many children are affected by mental illness?

Accepted Answer

A 2016 study of the National Survey of Children's Health data found one in six children between the ages of 6 and 17 has a treatable mental health disorder such as depression, anxiety, behavioral problems, or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

According to the CDC, here are the estimated prevalence rates for children between the ages of 3 and 17:

9% have received an ADHD diagnosis,
7% have a diagnosed behavior problem,
7% have diagnosed anxiety disorder, and
3% have diagnosed depression.

Need to find a therapist near you? Check out the Therapy Finder Directory by SimplePractice to find licensed mental health therapists with availability and online booking.

Question 2

When should I be concerned about my child's mental health?

Accepted Answer

A mental illness, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), is a disorder that affects a person's thinking, emotion, or mood. Such disorders may impair a person's capacity to interact with people and operate on a daily basis.

The indications and symptoms of mental illness differ based on the condition, the person who is suffering from it, and the environment in which they live, work, and play. However, some signs and behaviors may suggest that there is something more serious going on.

Recognizing symptoms in children is particularly important so that they may get the care they need as soon as possible.

Here are some common signs or symptoms that a child may be struggling emotionally.

Developmental regressions in things like speech or language, bedwetting, etc.
Conduct problems including fighting, bullying, acting out, vandalism, theft, etc.
Decreased interest in activities that they previously enjoyed
Prolonged bouts of sadness
Drop in grades
Loss of appetite
Substance abuse
Difficulty sleeping or excessive sleepiness
Extreme shyness
Excessive tardiness or absences from school

If notice any of these symptoms – or a combination of them – in a child or teen, you should make an appointment with a doctor or mental health professional.

Need to find a therapist near you? Check out the Therapy Finder Directory by SimplePractice to find licensed mental health therapists with availability and online booking.

Question 3

How do you treat mental disorders in children?

Accepted Answer

The following are some of the most common treatment options for children with mental health issues:

Psychotherapy

Commonly known as “talk therapy,” psychotherapy involves regular conversations with a psychologist, psychiatrist, or other mental health professional. Whether explicitly about mental/behavioral health or about a child’s life more generally, these conversations are aimed at uncovering what may be affecting a child’s mental health to better solve that issue.

In younger children, psychotherapy may take the form of play or games in addition to discussion. Children and adolescents learn how to communicate about their feelings and ideas, how to respond to them, and how to develop new behaviors and coping skills through psychotherapy.

Medication

Pediatricians and pediatric mental health professionals may prescribe medication. Common medications prescribed include stimulants, which can help calm children with ADHD, antidepressants, anti-anxiety medication, mood stabilizers, and so on.

Only a medical doctor (including psychiatrists) can prescribe drugs, and they will go over potential risks and side effects, as well as projected benefits, with a child and their parents.

Need to find a therapist near you? Check out the Therapy Finder Directory by SimplePractice to find licensed mental health therapists with availability and online booking.

Question 4

What is considered a mental disorder for a child?

Accepted Answer

Children’s mental health disorders are broadly defined as conditions that affect a their thinking/moods or behaviors.

Children’s mental health tends to be measured by delays in the development of age-appropriate thoughts, behavior, social skills, or emotion control. These conditions disrupt and limit a child's ability to function normally at home, school, and in other social settings.

Need to find a therapist near you? Check out the Therapy Finder Directory by SimplePractice to find licensed mental health therapists with availability and online booking.

Question 5

What are the most common mental health disorders among children?

Accepted Answer

The most commonly diagnosed mental disorders in children are attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), behavior problems, anxiety, and depression, according to the CDC.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Children with ADHD struggle with attention, impulsive behaviors, hyperactivity, or a combination of these issues as compared to other children their age.

Behavioral problems

Behavioral problems in children are defined as a pattern of disruptive behaviors that lasts at least 6 months and causes difficulties at school, at home, and in social settings. Almost everyone exhibits some of these behaviors at some point in their lives, but behavior disorders are more severe.

Anxiety

Anxiety disorders impact one in eight children. They are characterized by persistent, irrational, and overwhelming worry, fear, and anxiety that interfere with day-to-day life. Symptoms vary but usually include irritability, trouble sleeping, jitteriness, or physical symptoms, including headaches and stomachaches.

Depression and other mood disorders

Mood disorders, including depression, are characterized by warped or dysfunctional emotional or intellectual states. This can include chronic feelings of despair, sadness, anger, or any other emotion that interferes with a child’s capacity to function in school, at home, and/or socially.

Other mental health issues (and developmental disorders handled by mental health professionals) in children include:

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurological condition that often presents before the age of three. A child with ASD can have difficulties speaking and connecting with others, regardless of the degree of the illness.

Eating disorders

Eating disorders are unhealthy relationships with food and eating. Some signs that a child may have an eating disorder include concern with an ideal body type, disordered thinking about weight and weight loss, or dangerous eating and dieting practices.

Eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder, can exacerbate or even cause other mental disorders. They can also cause irreparable damage to a child’s body, and can even have fatal physical consequences.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

PTSD is a type of anxiety disorder that results from trauma. It can present as emotional discomfort, anxiety, disturbing and unavoidable memories, or nightmares.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a sensory and cognitive disorder that causes a person to lose touch with reality (psychosis). Schizophrenia causes hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking and behavior. Children rarely display symptoms of schizophrenia; this behavior begins in a person’s late teens or early twenties.

Need to find a therapist near you? Check out the Therapy Finder Directory by SimplePractice to find licensed mental health therapists with availability and online booking.

How many children are affected by mental illness?

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