Like adults, children can suffer from a variety of mental disorders. They may have anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, learning disorders, conduct disorder, eating disorders, developmental disorders or schizophrenia. According to the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey, 13 percent of children ages 8 to 15 had at least one mental disorder. Together with your doctor, observe warning signs of a mental disorder and get your child the appropriate treatment. Early interventions are more likely to be helpful.
Step 1
Observe your child. Notice if patterns of behavior have emerged that are disruptive to normal functioning.
Step 2
Look for signs like a sudden drop in school performance, changes in sleep and eating patterns, excessive worry and anxiety, hyperactivity, persistent nightmares, persistent disobedience, aggression and frequent temper tantrums. In older children and adolescents, note instances of substance abuse, prolonged negative mood and angry outbursts, recommends Mental Health America.
Step 3
Record when the disruptive behaviors occur. To be considered indicative of a mental disorder, a behavior must have been occurring for more than just a few days at a time. For instance, depressive symptoms must occur for at least two weeks to diagnose depression.
Step 4
Make an appointment with the child's pediatrician to discuss the behaviors. Only a medical provider can make a formal diagnosis.
Step 5
Enact an appropriate treatment regimen together with the doctor if a mental disorder exists. Consider counseling and behavior therapy for the child in addition to medication.
