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Mental Problems in Children

Adults are not the only ones that suffer from mental problems. In fact, many mental problems start during childhood. By identifying mental problems early, the best forms of treatment can be applied to prevent or reduce symptoms that interfere with everyday life. Learning disabilities, mood disorders and ADHD are some mental problems in children.

  1. Learning Disabilities

    • Children can exhibit learning disabilities at a young age. A learning disability is a mental impairment that restricts a child's cognitive ability to learn or process information. For example, dyslexia can cause a child to misread words because the letters are transposed in his mind. Auditory processing disorders can make it difficult for children to grasp instructions and visual cues, despite having healthy hearing or eyesight. Dysgraphia is difficulty forming numbers, letters or shapes through writing. Nonverbal disabilities such as lack of spatial relations or organizing thoughts can also be considered mental problems. Neurologists and education specialists can help determine whether or not a child has a learning disability.

    Mood Disorders

    • Children, like adults, can also suffer from mood disorders. Although there is no singular cause for mood disorders, some can result from triggers such as a move to a new neighborhood, loss of family member, or constant sickness or hospitalization. Depression in children can manifest itself through symptoms like misappropriated guilt and constant negative self-talk. Depressed children can also show disinterest in interacting with other children whom they would regularly play with. Major depression could last two weeks, while minor depression is a milder form of major depression that can last a year. Children may also suffer from bipolar disorder, which consists of alternating extreme high and extreme low moods with a period of balance in between. Consult a mental health professional to develop any treatment plans such as family therapy or medication.

    Attention Deficit Disorders

    • A prominently diagnosed mental problem in children is attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity, or ADHD. ADHD is considered a neurological disorder that affects a child's ability to maintain attention or energy levels. It is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Some of the physical symptoms include increased restlessness, inability to sit still, problems winding down to sleep or climbing on objects not designed for climbing on such as furniture or carpets. Mental symptoms include difficulty focusing on work and completing it, inattentiveness, constant forgetfulness, and easy distraction. According to the Family Doctor website, 4 to 12 percent of children are affected by ADHD.

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