Mental, emotional and behavioral problems in children usually are referred to as disorders and cause the children and their families and communities a significant amount of pain and stress. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, or SAMHA, close to one in five children and adolescents have a mental disorder that can be diagnosed and treated.
Causes
A number of factors can cause emotional and behavioral disorders in children, according to the SAMHA. Environmental issues such as living with parents who fight or do drugs affects children. Being exposed to violence, experiencing abandonment or losing a significant loved one can upset a child's emotional equilibrium and lead to behavior problems. Genetics often play a role in mental disorders, and head trauma can affect neurological systems, creating a brain disorder.
Types
Emotional disorders that lead to behavioral problems take a variety of forms. According to the SAMHA, disorders range from mild to severe. Children also can experience one or more disorders simultaneously. Examples of common emotional and behavior disorders in children include anxiety disorders that cause kids to be fearful. Depression, that affects 2 out of every 100 kids, causes excessive sadness, physical problems, lack of motivation and hopelessness. Eating, learning and behavior disorders cause a variety of symptoms from violent behavior to lack of self-control and self-destructive conduct.
Identification
The earlier an emotional or behavioral disorder is diagnosed, the better chance children have of receiving successful treatment. According to the National Institutes of Health, parents, teachers and caregivers should watch for early warning signs that could include stealing, lying or frequent angry outbursts. Children who exhibit violent tendencies toward other people, animals and property should be checked for mental disorders. Kids who engage in early sexual activity or start smoking or using drugs should be seen by a mental health professional.
Treatment
Therapy and medication are the most common forms of treatment available for children with emotional disorders. According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychology, children and families can benefit from various therapeutic techniques and methods. Family therapy focuses on communication among family members while cognitive behavior therapy targets the child's thinking patterns. Play therapy helps young children learn how to manage their uncomfortable feelings. Medication used to treat childhood mental disorders ranges from antidepressants to stimulants, mood stabilizers and anti-anxiety drugs.
Warning
Without early intervention and appropriate treatment, emotional and behavioral disorders can lead to serious consequences that linger into adolescence and adulthood. According to the Nemours Foundation, suicide is a leading cause of death for adolescents, the third leading cause of death among young people age 15 to 24. Close to 95 percent of those who commit suicide have a mental disorder.
