Mental Health Disorders in Children and Teens

 

Many children and adolescents have mental health problems that interfere with their normal development and daily life activities. Some mental health problems are mild, while others are more severe. Some mental health problems last for only short periods of time, while others, potentially, last a lifetime. The National Institute of Mental Health Disorders (NIMH), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), reports the following:

  • Research studies have reported that up toabout 5percent of children and up to 8 percent of adolescents in the US suffer from depression.
  • Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health problems that occur in children and adolescents.
  • Attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental disorders in children and adolescents. It affects an estimated 4.1 percent of youths ages 9 to 17.
  • Eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, are common among adolescent and young women in the US.

It is important to know that help is available. Most children and adolescents who experience mental health problems can return to normal daily lives, if they receive appropriate treatment.

Listed in the directory below you will find some additional information regarding some of the different types of mental health disorders in children and teens, for which we have provided a brief overview.

Behavior Disorders

Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder

Conduct Disorder

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Teen Suicide

Adjustment Disorders

Tourette's Disorder

Latest Mental Health News
Anxiety therapy doesn't work as well in elderly

February 3, 2012 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A form of talk therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy appears to help older adults battle anxiety disorders slightly better than other approaches, but not as well as in younger adults, according to a new study.

Medication helps some with mild depression

January 26, 2012 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People with mild depression may benefit from taking antidepressants, suggests a new analysis of past studies that compared symptoms in people on the drugs to those given drug-free placebo pills.

'Magic mushroom' trips point to new depression drugs

January 23, 2012 — LONDON (Reuters) - The brains of people tripping on magic mushrooms have given the best picture yet of how psychedelic drugs work and British scientists say the findings suggest such drugs could be used to treat depression.

Select news items provided by Reuters Health