Common Mental Health Issues With Children

If your child has been experiencing constant sadness, they may be suffering from depression. This disorder can interfere with a child’s ability to function well in school. Bipolar disorder results in extreme mood swings, or emotional and behavioral highs and lows, which are not healthy for a child. Other conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder, can result in prolonged emotional distress and disruption. Schizophrenia, on the other hand, causes hallucinations and disordered thinking. If your child is experiencing such issues, you should visit a child psychologist in Dubai to overcome these problems. 

Depression

The signs and symptoms of depression in children can range from irritability to changes in sleep patterns and appetite. They can even experience outbursts of sadness. Other symptoms may include stomachaches, headaches, and even thoughts of suicide. Often, it’s difficult to tell what is causing the symptoms of depression in children. But, if you notice these changes in your child, it may be a sign that they are suffering from a depressive disorder.

Bipolar disorder

Early diagnosis is essential to help prevent severe problems and to ensure that your child is as healthy as possible. A comprehensive mental health evaluation, including a consultation with a child psychiatrist and psychological and medical tests, is the first step. Once the diagnosis has been confirmed, a treatment plan that includes psychotherapy and medication will be developed with your child. You should also discuss any family concerns that you have with your child’s doctor.

Conduct disorder

While a variety of risk factors are associated with conduct disorder, some of these factors may not be a cause. In some cases, children may have a genetic predisposition to the disorder. Other causes include damage to the frontal lobe, which regulates essential cognitive functions, memory, and emotion. Abuse or poor parenting can also lead to the development of this disorder. A child with conduct disorder may also be more prone to destructive behavior.

Oppositional-defiant disorder

Children with the oppositional-defiant disorder (ODD) are disruptive and can prove to be a challenge for their parents. These children often exhibit a pattern of anger, arguing, and defiance towards authority figures. The early identification of ODD is important because treatment can prevent the disorder from progressing to a more serious condition. Although children with ODD can often be managed by parents themselves, some additional therapy may be required.