Prevalence of Comorbid Physical and Mental Problems in Children

Mental illness can manifest itself in many different ways. Physical symptoms are a common feature of several disorders and can affect children just as much as adults. Understanding what disorders can produce physical symptoms will help you recognize what your child may be experiencing.

Physical Symptoms of Depression

• Children experiencing depression often have the same symptoms as adults. The physical symptoms common in depression are headaches, muscle aches, lack of or overactive appetite and frequently feeling tired. With children and teens, pay special attention to eating and sleeping habits.

Physical Symptoms of Anxiety

• Anxiety disorders are among the most common diagnosed for children, affecting approximately 13 out of every 100 children, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration. Physical symptoms of anxiety include sweating, nausea, headaches, frequent urination and trembling.

Somatoform Disorders

• Somatoform disorders involve a psychological problem manifesting through disabling physical symptoms. In children, somatic complaints such as severe headaches or vision loss can occur. It is common for children to experience these problems when another family member is seriously ill.

Conversion Disorder

• Conversion disorder occurs when there is a marked impairment in voluntary motor function that suggests a neurological or other physical condition that the patient doesn't actually have. An article in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine in 2003 reported that child psychiatrists see this problem in up to 3 percent of their patients.

Prevalence in Children

• Conversion and somatoform disorders are far less prevalent than depressive or anxiety disorders. It is also common for symptoms such as headaches to overlap. Before jumping to a conclusion that your child has a serious mental disorder, take them to a counselor or psychologist for an appropriate evaluation.

Ruling Out Physical Diagnoses

• As with any mental illness, make sure your child has seen her pediatrician to rule out any physical diagnoses. Assuming a child has a somatic problem before having them checked out by a doctor can create serious problems if the physical problem is not treated right away.