Childhood Mental Disorders and Illnesses

Introduction to Disorders of Childhood

Children are precious; As parents we worry about their health. When our children have issues and crises, these issues and crises affect us just as much, if not more, than it affects them. We fear that which might bring them fear; we hurt when we see them hurt; and sometimes, we cry just seeing them cry. Writer Elizabeth Stone once said "Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." So, when it seems like something is not quite right with your children - perhaps they seem more afraid than other kids, or they seem to get a lot angrier than their playmates do over certain things - this odd or "off" behavior can be experienced as terrifying. In fact, a child's difficulty can be just the starting point for your parental worry and concern. You might not know what to do to help your child, or where to go for help. Possibly, you may worry because you don't even know if your child's problem is somethi...More

Fast Facts: Learn! Fast!

What Childhood Mental Disorders and Illnesses can children be affected by?

Intellectual disabilities are a specific type of disability that is caused by limited mental capacity (intelligence). These limitations make it difficult for someone to care for themselves without additional support.
Children that appear to have extremely poor coordination that interferes with achievement or age-appropriate activities of daily living (e.g., walking, playing catch, etc) may be suffering from a Motor Skills Disorder.
Children or adolescents may be diagnosed with a Learning Disorder when their achievement on standardized tests in reading, mathematics, or written expression is significantly below what is expected for their age, schooling, or level of intelligence.
Communication Disorders are problems of childhood that affect learning, language, and/or speech.
A child who demonstrates severe and persistent difficulties in several areas of development (social interactions, language and communication, repetitive and stereotypical behavior) may be affected by a Pervasive Development Disorder.
Children who have chronic difficulties in maintaining attentional focus, completing work, being impulsive, or repeatedly engage in antisocial behaviors such as lying and cheating may have one or more Attention-Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders. The disorders in this category include Conduct Disorder, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder.
Disorders in the "Feeding and Eating Disorders of Infancy or Early Childhood" category include Pica, Rumination Disorder, and Feeding Disorder of Infancy or Early Childhood.
Elimination disorders (Enuresis and Encopresis) occur when children who are otherwise old enough to eliminate waste appropriately repeatedly void feces or urine in inappropriate places or at inappropriate times.
Selective Mutism occurs when a child persistently fails to speak in certain social situations where speaking is expected.
Children and adolescents affected by Separation Anxiety Disorder become severely distressed when separated from their familiar surroundings and caregivers.
In Reactive Attachment Disorder, children develop abnormal relationships with caregivers that are described, in the language of the DSM criteria for the disorder as either Inhibited or Disinhibited.
Children with Stereotypic Movement Disorder can't seem to stop themselves from engaging in repetitive, and seeming nonfunctional motor behavior.
Tic Disorders are diagnosed when people have chronic (i.e., repeated across time) motor and vocal tics that interfere with their daily activities.

For more information

News Articles

Too Little Sleep Takes Toll on Kids' Mental Health: Study
Kids who don't get enough sleep may be at risk for ADHD, anxiety, depression and other mental health problems, researchers report. More...
American Teens Struggling With Mental Health Issues
Rates of anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts are all on the rise among U.S. teens, a new study finds. More...
Sleepless Babies May Face Emotional Troubles as Kids
Infants with chronic serious sleep problems may be at increased risk for anxiety and emotional disorders later in childhood, according to a new study from Australia. More...
Teen Moms at High Risk for Depression, Anxiety
As if being a teen mom isn't hard enough, two-thirds of young mothers are grappling with at least one mental health issue, researchers say. More...
Getting Quality Autism Therapy From Thousands of Miles Away
An ongoing trial for a program developed at University of California, Los Angeles seeks to change that with the novel use of technology and developmental intervention therapy for families of children with a high risk of autism that live in rural areas. More...

31 More

Girls With Autism Diagnosed Later Than Boys
Girls tend to be diagnosed with autism at an older age than boys, perhaps delaying essential treatment, a new study concludes. More...
Could a Common Diuretic Med Help Ease Autism Symptoms?
A prescription drug that's long been used to treat the buildup of fluid in the body might do double duty as a means of easing autism symptoms in young children, new research shows. More...
Largest-Ever Study Ties Over 100 Genes to Autism
More than 100 genes appear to be involved in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), according to the largest genetic study of the condition to date. More...
Brain Waves Offer Insight Into Autism-Linked Sleep Struggles
Shallower-than-normal brain waves may play a role in serious sleep problems in children with autism, a new study suggests. More...
Family Therapy Best for Youth at Risk for Bipolar Disorder
Therapy for the entire family might help kids and teens vulnerable to bipolar disorder stay healthy longer, new research suggests. More...
1 in 4 Children With Autism Is Undiagnosed: Study
Far too many U.S. children with autism are waiting too long for a diagnosis, new research shows, and those delays can greatly affect their quality of life. More...
Could Brain Scans Spot Children's Mood, Attention Problems Early?
Children's mental health issues are hard to predict until they're causing problems, but researchers may have found a way to use brain scans to spot which kids are at risk for depression, anxiety and attention problems. More...
Updated Autism Guidelines Stress Earliest Screenings Possible
For the first time in more than a decade, a leading pediatricians' group has issued new autism guidelines that emphasize early intervention. More...
Bullying's 'Vicious Circle' Harms Mental Health
Bullied teens are more likely to develop mental health problems, and people with mental health problems are also more likely to become bullies, researchers report. More...
Could Fish Oil Be an ADHD Remedy for Some Kids?
Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and low blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids might benefit from supplements, new research suggests. More...
Most Parents Struggle to Spot Depression in Teens
Most American parents say they might have trouble distinguishing between a teen's typical mood swings and possible signs of depression, a new survey finds. More...
Acetaminophen in Pregnancy Might Raise Children's Odds of ADHD, Autism
Two-thirds of American women take acetaminophen for the aches and pains of pregnancy, but the medication might not be as benign as thought. More...
New Finding Challenges Old Notions About Dyslexia
The cerebellum does not affect reading ability in people with dyslexia, according to a new study that challenges a controversial theory. More...
Raising a Child With ADHD Can Test a Parent
Parenting can be tough business, but when your child has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) the task can often be overwhelming. More...
For Kids With Asthma, Depression Makes ER Visit More Likely
New research suggests that anxiety and depression can make it hard for some kids to manage their asthma. More...
Pediatric Group Issues Updated ADHD Guidelines
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is in the news a lot, and now newer research has prompted a leading pediatricians' group to update its guidelines for diagnosing and treating the disorder for the first time since 2011. More...
U.S. Autism Rates Rising Fastest for Hispanics, Blacks
Autism rates among U.S. children are rising fastest among blacks and Hispanics, researchers say. More...
Back-to-School Tips for Kids on the Autism Spectrum
Heading back to school can be especially stressful for children with autism and their parents, but preparation and establishing a routine can make it easier. More...
Health Tip: Mental Illness Warning Signs
Determining if a child's troubling behavior is "part of growing up" or a sign of a mental health problem can be difficult. More...
Scientists Uncover More Autism Genes
In a finding that underscores the major role genetics plays in autism risk, researchers report they have identified 16 new genes linked to the developmental disorder. More...
ADHD Meds May Alter Boys' Brains
One of the most popular and effective medications used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) appears to alter the brains of boys with the disorder, a new study shows. More...
Unlocking Speech for Kids With Autism
For parents of a child with autism, communication is often the No. 1 hurdle. But what if there were a simple way to help them get their youngster talking? More...
ADHD Meds Help Keep Kids Out of Trouble
Some parents may be reluctant to give their kids powerful stimulants to treat the symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but a new review shows the medications bring significant benefits. More...
Autism Largely Caused by Genetics, Not Environment: Study
The largest study of its kind, involving more than 2 million people across five countries, finds that autism spectrum disorders are 80% reliant on inherited genes. More...
Shame Around Mental Illness May Be Fading, Survey Shows
Stigma regarding mental health could be disappearing in the United States, a new survey finds. More...
Developmental Tests Might Spot Autism at Even Younger Ages
The sooner a child with autism is diagnosed, the better, and now new research describes a novel way of catching it earlier than ever. More...
Treatments Targeting Social Behavior Hormone Show Promise With Autism
Hormone-based treatment might improve social function in people with autism, a pair of new clinical trials suggests. More...
'Microbiome' May Be Key to Autism Symptoms
The belly-brain connection is gaining traction in autism research. And a new study suggests gut bacteria may play a role in the disorder or some of its symptoms. More...
Autism Diagnoses Reliable at 14 Months, Study Finds
Although autism is typically diagnosed around age 3 or 4, new research suggests it can be spotted soon after a child's first birthday. More...
Does Diet Affect a Child's ADHD?
The researchers found that while kids with ADHD are more likely to have unhealthy diets, their poor diets weren't at the root of their ADHD symptoms. More...
Guideline Changes Have Asperger's Community on Edge
Change in psychiatric manual will fold it into autism spectrum disorders, leaving many unsure about getting needed services More...