Mental Health
Mental health problems in children and young people are common. The term ‘mental health problem’ refers to a broad range of emotional and behavioural difficulties. Problems vary in how much they cause children distress and how much they interfere with everyday living.
Many of these problems pass with time with the help of families, relatives and friends, whilst others require additional help through a GP, a teacher, a social worker and other professionals.
The most common forms of mental health problems in children and young people are:
- emotional disorders, such as anxiety, phobias and depression
- conduct disorders, such as stealing, defiance, fire-setting, and aggression
- hyperkinetic disorders, such as attention deficit (hyperactivity) disorder
- developmental disorders, such as delay in acquiring speech or bladder control
- eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa
- habit disorders, such as tics, sleeping problems and soiling
- post-traumatic syndromes, following traumatic events
- psycho-somatic disorders, such as chronic fatigue symptoms
- psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia and manic depression (although these are very rare before adolescence)
Things to look out for
These are not exhaustive lists but give some examples of behaviour that could indicate that a child or young person may be experiencing mental health difficulties.
In children 0-11 years:
Changes in feeding pattern
Changes in sleep pattern
Tantrums/Non-compliance
Overactivity
Wetting/Soiling
Fears/Phobias and Anxiety
In Young People 11+
Social withdrawal
Increased irritability or aggression
School refusal
Poor concentration
Mood swings
Loss of interest in activities
Alcohol/drug misuse
Loss of energy, difficulty sleeping
Frequent unexplained physical complaints, especially stomach/bowel problems
More information about specific mental health problems can be found in the'For Young People section.