How Can You Know If Your Child Has A Mental Disorder?

Mental disorder
Mental Disorder

Did you know? 20% of the adolescents born worldwide suffer from some Mental Disorder.

Accordingly, this growing number of diseases in youngsters and children, both from rich and poor backgrounds, is highly threatening. Since such mental conditions may even lead to suicide. Suicide, being the third top cause of death among children and teenagers, is also a major health concern.

However, 50% of any mental disorder arises before the age of 14. Hence, visionary strategies are being improvised to diagnose and prevent such mental illnesses at an early stage. And hopefully, if curable, then to treat them too.

Nonetheless, the mental health concern is not a personal one only, it is a whole societal and economic consideration.

Fact: Children of parents that have anxiety are six times more likely to develop anxiety for a lifetime. And, parents who suffer from depression increase the risk of depression in their kids by 3-4 times.

Do you also have a suspicion regarding your child’s mental health? Do some symptoms seem alarming to you?

Well, this article covers all the common mental disorders in children and their symptoms.

So you should keep in mind;

 early diagnosis can lead to early treatment.

Mental disorder
Mental Disorder

I know the topic of mental disorder is taboo and a sympathy-gaining stereotype. But, you have to stay strong and confidently raise your special child.

The Mental Disorder In Children

Hence, here is a list of common mental diseases in young children.

1. Anxiety

It is when a child has such intense and persistent fears that start interfering in school, play activities, and social communication. And he does not outgrow these apprehensions with age.

Symptoms of anxiety
  • Separation anxiety: scared of being away from parents.
  • Phobias: extreme fear of a specific thing or condition. Like spiders, height, or a doctor’s visit.
  • Social anxiety: fear of public places and too many people.
  • General anxiety: fear and nervousness of the future and how things will go.
  • Panic disorder:  sudden and extreme expression of fear. Like shaking, and pounding heartbeat.
  • Easily irritated and angry behavior.
  • Trouble sleeping.
  • Fatigue, dizziness, stomach, or headaches.

2. Depression

This is a continual emotion of sadness and hopelessness. Children feeling helpless and hopeless all the time is a major sign of depression. Therefore, they show no interest in fun and play activities.

Hence, if you suspect depression in your children, look out for the following signs.

  • Not sleeping enough or sleeping a lot.
  • Feeling sad and irritable.
  • Eating too much or not eating at all.
  • Being too tired or overactive.
  • Not enjoying normal plays of children.
  • Showing self-destructive behavior (harming oneself).
  • Not attentive and unable to focus.
  • Feeling guilty, sad, and worthless.

3. Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Also, Often known as ODD, it is a very common mental disorder among children. It is when a child shows a rebellious and defiant attitude towards the person in charge. Be it parents at home, our teachers at school, or a caretaker.

  • Having temper issues.
  • Disobeying adults and denying their rules or requests.
  • Being resentful and spiteful most of the time.
  • Getting annoyed easily and teasing others deliberately.
  • Putting their blame on others.
Mental disorder
Child Mental Health

4. Conduct Disorder

Anyhow, shortly called CD, this is a mental disorder in which a child expresses a severe form of aggression towards others. Serious violation of rules aggressively may even lead to child arrest. This disruptive behavior hinders the child to get along with his peers and stay within the school.

  • Breaking serious rules. E.g. sneaking out at night, or bunking school.
  • Being harmfully aggressive. Like hurting the animals or bullying other children.
  • Purposefully damaging other’s property and lying or stealing.

5. Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

This is a mental disorder that can’t be cured but can be controlled. With proper management and emotional intelligence, parents have successfully contained this disease.

Yet, it is very common in children to show hyperactivity and inability to focus for long. But, ADHD is being overly active and showing a lack of attention. It also involves impulsive actions without the fear of consequences.

  • Easily distracted.
  • Often being forgetful.
  • Mostly doesn’t listen when spoken to directly.
  • Shows trouble in organizing and mismanagement.
  • Does careless mistakes in writing.
  • Is unable to pay attention to details.

6. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Nonetheless, it is called OCD. People generally associate this mental disorder with being extremely organized or neat. However, that is not the case. Children with OCD show an intense obsession with a certain thing or action. It is a course of action to make unwanted thoughts go away.

For instance, an object they believe to be a lucky charm and a good omen. And God forbid something bad and dangerous might happen if they lose it.

Or an obsession of frequently washing hands or repeatedly checking the door to see if it is locked.

7. Tourette Syndrome

Though this disorder is half as common as autism. Yet most people don’t even know about it. In this disorder, children suffer from a neurological problem. Which makes them lose control over making involuntary movements and sounds.

Hence, it is also called the tic disorder. As the patient makes tic sounds with some muscular movement involved.

7. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

As the name implies, this disorder is related to stress that comes after a trauma. This can be an injury, or the loss of a close one, or some act of violence.

However, when this stress goes longer than a month, it is called PTSD. This starts disturbing the child’s social activities and psychological health.

  • Reliving and reimagining the scenario over and over again in their heads.
  • Having scary nightmares about the event.
  • Having trouble sleeping.
  • Getting very upset at the mention of the event.
  • Being scared and sadly most of the time.
  • Avoiding any memory of the event. Such as the people or place related to that scene.
  • No hope and positive emotions.
Mental disorder
Mental Health Stigma

Nevertheless, some other common mental syndromes and health concerns among children include; learning difficulties, developmental delayings, autism, speech problems, and self-harming conditions.

However if you suspect any symptom of a mental disorder, your first and foremost action should be to consult a healthcare professional. The earlier you know, the better. And don’t be afraid to face the reality.



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