Childhood Mental Disorder: Overview, Signs and Treatments

As the name suggests, childhood mental disorders are mental illnesses children usually suffer. However, only the best child psychiatrist in Kolkata is the person who can diagnose and treat these conditions accordingly.

However, certain signs and symptoms are associated with these ailments, and as parents, you must learn to recognize them. So, as you read today’s blog, you will know what childhood mental disorders are, their indicating signs, and available treatment options. 

Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents:

What is a childhood mental disorder?

Signs and Symptoms

Treatments

Conclusion

FAQs

What is a childhood mental disorder?

A childhood mental disorder is a mental illness in a child where the victim experiences specific negative changes in how they behave, think, and feel, often disrupting their ability to live an everyday and healthy life. These generally include conditions such as the inability to develop age-relevant thoughts, social skills, and behaviors that ultimately make it difficult for them to regulate their emotions effectively. 

As a result, kids cannot behave as expected in schools, at home, or any other social situations. However, if you give your children the best childhood mental disorder treatment in Kolkata, it is possible to get rid of this disease and live the life every little one deserves. 

Signs and Symptoms:

Some of the signs and symptoms indicating that your child has a mental health disorder include:

Missing or avoiding school 

Poor academic performance 

Difficulty in concentrating 

Frequent stomach-aches or headaches

Sleeplessness

Sudden weight loss

Changes in eating habits

Sudden changes in personality, mood, or behavior

Uncontrollable behaviors that are often harmful 

Suicidal thoughts

Hurting oneself or the tendency to hurt oneself

Avoiding social interactions or withdrawing oneself from social events 

Persistent feelings of hopelessness that can last for two weeks or more 

Apart from these signs and symptoms, certain anxiety and stress-related signs can appear in patients suffering from a childhood mental disorder. Therefore, seeking medical help is necessary to prevent this disease from affecting the day-to-day lives of your little ones at all costs. 

Recommended Treatments:

Doctors often recommend two effective treatment options when a child suffers from a mental health disorder. These include:

Medication: As per the condition your child is suffering from, the doctor may suggest certain medicines such as anti-depressants, stimulants, or anti-anxiety drugs. After prescribing the medication, the professional will explain to you the side effects, risks, and benefits of using the medicine, and you must get a proper understanding of it before starting the course. 

Psychotherapy: Also called talk therapy, psychotherapy effectively identifies mental health disorders in a person as accurately as possible. In this treatment, the patient needs to talk out their problems and concerns to their medical professional so that they can devise a treatment plan for them accordingly. A typical psychotherapy session includes games or playtime as well as talk therapies to identify the difficulties the child is facing while playing. 

Slowly and eventually, the victim will learn how to express thoughts and feelings effectively and respond to them, aside from learning new coping skills and behaviors. 

Identifying a mental illness in a child can be challenging at times because the patient may not be able to express their feelings and emotions appropriately. So, as parents, you must give them the right kind of support and guidance, and after that, seek the help of a medical professional. Only the best child psychiatrist in Kolkata can diagnose the exact problem in your child to plan an effective treatment option for them. 

Conclusion!

So, do you notice any of the symptoms mentioned in your child or a child in your neighborhood? If yes, then be assured that the person is a childhood mental disorder victim. In such a situation, staying quiet and delaying is not the solution. Instead, you must give them the best Childhood Mental Disorder Treatment in Kolkata, allowing your little ones to cope and get over this condition as effectively as possible. 

Good Luck!

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are the three common mental disorders in children?

ADHD, anxiety disorders, and depression are three primary mental health disorders affecting a child’s day-to-day life. 

Can a 7-year-old child have a mental illness?

Mental disorders in a person can start from childhood itself. Examples include attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, eating disorders, autism spectrum disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

How can I check my child’s mental health?

If you see any warning signs in your child, be assured their mental health condition is not good. These include uncontrollable behavior, emotional outbursts, suicidal tendencies, withdrawal from social interactions, persistent sadness, and many more. 

Which vitamin deficiency causes mental health disorders in children?

Vitamin B-12 and other types of Vitamin Bs are significant in producing brain chemicals that regulate mood functions and how a child behaves. If these vitamins are lacking in someone, the person may start to show signs of depression and other related symptoms. 

Can a child recover from mental illness?

Changing behavior patterns, frequent mood swings, and eating disorders are common signs of a childhood mental disorder; however, full recovery is possible by detecting and treating this condition on time with a good doctor’s assistance.