According to Mental Health America, as many as 1 in 5 children has a diagnosable mental health condition, but these children often do not receive treatment because it can be difficult for parents and other adults to recognize the symptoms. Parents...
Many parents would agree that children playing outside is a good thing. But other than getting some fresh air, what are the real benefits of playing, and, in particular, playing sports? With childhood obesity rates in the U.S. between 16 and 33...
ODD, or oppositional defiant disorder, is a persistent, long-term and disruptive behavior focused on authority figures. While every child has moody periods, and parents can expect toddlers to begin independence with a few well-thrown tantrums, ODD...
The first and most important way to cope with depression is to get an accurate diagnosis from a qualified professional. Qualified professionals are those who specialize in mental health, such as psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and...
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is a behavioral disorder characterized by restlessness, impulsivity and hyperactivity. It might also cause learning and sleeping problems. According to the U.K. National Health Service's website,...
Being in foster care can profoundly affect a child's mental health and his ability to interact with others. Foster parents and others interacting with foster children should be aware that the children's fluctuating emotions can also lead to...
An estimated 40 million people over the age of 18 years old in the United States suffer from an anxiety disorder. Occasional anxiety in response to stressful events in life are normal. When anxiety consistently causes a person a great deal of...
In a world where advertisements for fatty, sugar-laden foods are everywhere and the most popular kids' activities often involve sitting in front of a screen, helping your children maintain an appropriate weight is no easy task. But because being...
You probably know that iron is needed in order for red blood cells to carry oxygen to the cells in your body. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center's website, UMM.edu, iron, or ferritin, is also needed to produce ATP, the form of...
For many young children, separating from a parent produces crying, clinging and screaming. Separation anxiety is a normal part of childhood development and typically dissipates before children enter school, according to the American Academy of...
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry notes that finding a child psychologist or mental health specialist can be particularly challenging for parents who are experiencing problems with their child's behavior. Parents may feel...
According to the Mayo Clinic, parents often underestimate how often and how much their teenagers drink. Peer pressure and the physical and emotional changes accompanying adolescence make teenagers more susceptible to alcohol abuse. If you suspect...
Yoga originated in India more than 2,000 years ago. The word "yoga" comes from a Sanskrit word that means the blending of body and mind. Although the practice is more than 2,000 years old, it has been used in recent years to treat a variety of...
All children experience some anxiety, such as when they move to a new town or take a test in school. But problems develop if youngsters are too anxious or nervous, according to The Childhood Anxiety Network. When that happens, their schoolwork can...
A child struggling with mental problems, trauma, sensory disorders and any other number of psychological problems can benefit from seeing a child psychologist. A child psychologist is trained to work with children in a more juvenile environment to...
According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, even well-behaved children can be defiant or uncooperative at times. Children who have a serious and pervasive pattern of hostility, defiance, and physical or verbal aggression...
Parenting a defiant child comes with many challenges. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry lists the following behaviors common to defiant children: engaging in temper tantrums, arguing with adults, refusing to comply with rules...
Losing a parent at a young age is a tragic and life-changing event. Children, like adults, experience grief as a process; however, manifestations of grief may differ depending upon the child's age. Supporting a child through loss, especially if...
A challenging aspect of ending your marriage is discussing divorce with your 3-year-old child, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Talking to your young child about divorce requires preparation and the use of...
Nail biting in children is a common occurrence and is often a sign of anxiety or insecurity, according to Dr. William Womack, of the Department of Child Psychiatry at the School of Medicine in the University of Washington. While this habit may be...
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) causes symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness that are so severe that they interfere with the activities of daily living. According to the Centers for Disease Control and...
Asperger's syndrome, one of several disorders on the "autism spectrum," has no known cure and can be difficult to control at times. Manufacturers of herbal and alternative therapies tend to prey on parents' frustration and desperation, convincing...
When your newborn cries, you hold, feed and comfort him and speak to him in soft, soothing tones. These interactions form his first understanding of human communication. In about six short years, he will go from being a passive, helpless observer...
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder can cause significant social and academic impairment in children and adults. Non-stimulant drugs are among primary treatments; stimulant drugs are also prescribed, though they carry side effects such as...
Attention deficit disorder, also called attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, affects about two million children, mostly boys, in the United States, according to the American Academy for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Children with attention...
Defiance and childhood sometimes seem to go hand-in-hand, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, which notes that arguing, talking back, disobeying and defying parents and other adults can signal normal development...
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry notes that a parent's mental illness can present a variety of risks for a child. Schizophrenia, in particular, can contribute to highly unpredictable and confusing behavior in a household,...
Parenting a child with special needs sometimes requires learning new health care skills or new forms of communication, such as sign language, or understanding mental health issues. No matter what type of special needs a child has, parents must...
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry explains that children who are obese between the ages of 10 and 13 have an 80 percent chance of becoming overweight adults. While several factors contribute to this, including behavioral and...
