It is easy to tell if your child has a cold or a fever.  It can be more difficult to know when your child has a mental health problem.  You may see changes in emotions or behaviors, or a disruption in schoolwork. There are a number of mental health issues that are common in children and adolescents.  These include:

ADHD and ADD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) are characterized by inattentiveness, hyperactivity, impulsive behaviors, and an inability to concentrate. Symptoms may begin in childhood and continue into adulthood. ADHD and ADD can cause problems at home, school, work, and in relationships. For more information about ADHD/ADD, click here.

 

Anxiety Disorders: Anxiety is a normal human emotion. When it escalates into panic attacks, phobias or chronic worries which disrupt normal activities, it may be an anxiety disorder. There are excellent treatments for anxiety disorders, including medication and psychotherapy. For more information about anxiety disorders, click here.

 

Asperger’s and Autism:  Asperger's syndrome is a developmental disorder that affects a child's ability to socialize and communicate effectively with others. Children with Asperger's syndrome are often socially awkward and may display an all-absorbing interest in specific topics. Asperger's syndrome is grouped within the broader spectrum of autistic disorders or pervasive developmental disorders. These disorders all involve problems with social skills and communication. Asperger's syndrome is generally thought to be at the milder end of this spectrum. While there's no cure for Asperger's syndrome, if your child has the condition treatment can help him or her learn how to interact more successfully in social situations. For more information about Asperger's and autism, click here.

 

Bipolar Disorder: Bipolar disorder is a serious condition involving major shifts in mood, energy level, thinking, and behavior.  There may be extreme mood swings from depression to mania.  This condition used to be called manic depression. Bipolar disorder is very serious and can cause risky behavior, even suicidal tendencies. Because the symptoms of bipolar disorder are similar to other conditions and can be different from person to person, a thorough evaluation by a mental health professional is necessary for diagnosis and treatment. For more information about bipolar disorder, click here.

Bullying: Bullying is when a person or group of people deliberately hurts or scares another person on purpose. The goal of bullying is to create or enforce power over that person or a group of individuals. Bullying can take many forms, including physical (for example, punching or shoving), verbal (name calling, taunting and teasing) and social (spreading rumors, keeping certain people out of a group). Electronic or "cyberbullying" involves using the internet, mobile phones, or other electronic media to harm another person, such as by posting nasty messages or private photos online or by sending abusive text messages. Bullying can have devastating effects on those who are targeted, such as depression, chemical abuse or dropping out of school. Children who bully have an increased risk for engaging in criminal and other antisocial behavior as they become older.  For more information about bullying and resources to help the bullied and the bully, click here.

Cutting and Self-Injury: Self-Injury is any deliberate, non-suicidal behavior that inflicts physical injury to a person’s own body which causes tissue damage or leaves marks. Self-injury is an unhealthy behavior used to cope with overwhelming emotions or distressing situations. Cutting and self-injury are often secretive behaviors where the marks and scars are concealed from others. For more information about cutting and self-injury, click here.

 

Depression: Depression is a serious medical illness and affects many areas of your life. We all can feel "down in the dumps" or "blue" for a few days. When this goes on for more than a couple of weeks at a time, professional help may be needed. Even mild forms of depression may benefit from treatment. Depression can occur in people of all ages. Symptoms of depression include feeling sad, hopeless, worthless, or pessimistic. There may also be changes in eating and sleeping patterns. Thoughts of death and suicide may also be present. Treatment for depression is effective and readily available. For more information about depression, click here.

 

Eating Disorders: Eating disorders are characterized by severe changes in eating behavior, such as self-starvation, extreme overeating, binge eating and/or purging. These disorders may also include feelings of extreme concern/distress about body weight or shape. The emotional and physical consequences of eating disorders can be severe and even deadly.  Fortunately, treatment for eating disorders can be very effective. Treatment generally involves medical care and monitoring, psychotherapy, dietary intervention, and medication. For more information about eating disorders, click here.

 

Learning Disorders:  A learning disorder or learning disability is a problem in which a person has difficulty learning new information.  The problem may be in the way the brain receives, processes, analyzes, or stores information. There are many types of learning disorders, including problems in the areas of motor skills, math, language, reading, or writing. The process of diagnosing a learning disorder generally involves testing, history taking, and observation by a trained specialist. Finding a reputable referral is important.  Start with your child's school, and if they are unable to help you, ask your insurance company, doctor, friends, and family. Specialists trained to perform and interpret psychological testing include clinical psychologists, school psychologists, and neuropsychologists. For more information about learning disorders, click here.

 

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD): It's not unusual for children -- especially those in their "terrible twos" and early teens -- to defy authority every now and then. They may express their defiance by arguing, disobeying, or talking back to parents, teachers, or other adults. When this behavior lasts longer than six months and is excessive compared to what is usual for the child's age, it may be ODD. ODD is a condition in which a child displays an ongoing pattern of uncooperative, defiant, hostile, and annoying behavior toward people in authority. The child's behavior often disrupts the child's normal daily activities, including activities within the family and at school. For more information about ODD, click here.