What Are Childhood Psychiatric Disorders?

Mental health plays a major role in how people live and behave. This is true regardless of age. Child psychiatric disorders are not uncommon, but they do frequently go undiagnosed. Children process the world differently from adults in some ways, but they are still prone to many of the emotional triggers found across the field of psychiatry. If your child has been facing difficulties lately, you may be wondering if seeing a child psychiatrist St. Charles IL could help. You may also find yourself asking: What is a childhood psychiatric disorder?

Types of Childhood Psychiatric Disorders 

When children suffer from psychiatric disorders, it can negatively impact their ability to learn, socialize and cope. Common kinds of childhood mental disorders include:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Oppositional Defiant Disorder
  • Conduct Disorder
  • Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Tourette Syndrome
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

If you suspect your child is experiencing any of these disorders, you may find child psychiatric services useful. Early diagnosis and treatment can lead to positive long-term outcomes.

Signs of Childhood Psychiatric Disorders

Many children tend to be disruptive by nature, so how do you separate typical rowdiness and an ADHD diagnosis? While this distinction can sometimes be a challenge even for professionals, a group of researchers and mental health experts has identified several tell-tale signs of childhood psychiatric disorders. For example, if a child withdraws from friends and family for more than a couple weeks, it may indicate there is something more going on in his or her mind. Other signs of problems include self harm, drug use and mood swings.

Childhood mental health is not an unexplored area of psychiatry. Even if you worry about addressing your child’s mental health concerns, rest assured there are professionals with qualifications to assist your family. When it comes to all psychiatric disorders, knowledge is power in treatment. Through education and professional interventions such as talk therapy and/or prescribed medication, psychiatrists can assist children in a number of ways.

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