What are some of the most common mental health conditions among children?
The Southern Nevada Pediatric Center specialists know that children’s mental health is just as important as physical health. Some of the most common mental health issues children face include:
- Anxiety
- ADHD
- Depression
- Eating disorder
- Bipolar disorder
If your child is dealing with a mood disorder, you should visit Southern Nevada Pediatric Center for an evaluation.
What is anxiety?
Anxiety refers to a lingering feeling of unease, worry, or nervousness typically associated with an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.
Symptoms of anxiety include:
- Feeling restless, tense, or nervous
- A feeling of panic or a sense of danger
- Increased heart rate
- Rapid breathing (hyperventilation)
- Trembling and sweating
- Fatigue or weakness
- Poor sleep quality
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Lack of focus
Anxiety disorders involve excessive, intense, and regular fear and worry surrounding everyday situations. Your child might have repeated episodes of intense anxiety and a fear or terror that heightens significantly in a matter of minutes (panic attack).
What is ADHD?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects self-control, focus, and other important life skills. This brain disorder is more common in children.
A child or teen with ADHD might act fidgety and get distracted easily. Some of the symptoms of ADHD include:
- Daydreaming
- Forgetfulness
- Excessive talking
- Difficulty sitting still
Some children with ADHD might experience difficulty with:
- Managing emotions
- Flexible thinking
- Memory
- Planning, preparation, and organization
- Paying attention to details
- Finishing tasks
- Following conversations or instructions
If your child has ADHD, it’s beneficial to manage distractions, get organized, and create a routine. Give your child a positive environment that encourages a healthy and happy mind.
What is depression?
Depression is a mood disorder involving a persistent, lingering feeling of hopelessness and sadness.
Feeling sad from time to time is a normal human experience, but depression is a long-term mental health disorder.
Some of the symptoms of depression are:
- Feelings of worthlessness, sadness, and hopelessness
- Self-blame and a lack of motivation
- Poor sleep quality
- Little to no interest in activities that were previously enjoyable
- Chronic fatigue
- Impaired or slowed memory and focus
- Impatience, anxiety, and agitation
- Decreased appetite and increased cravings
- Weight gain or weight loss
- Frustration, irritability, and angry outbursts over trivial matters
Your Southern Nevada Pediatric Center provider might suggest lifestyle changes, improving nutrition, exercise, stress management, mindfulness, outdoor activities, medications, and other effective treatment methods to help your child find relief from anxiety, depression, ADHD, and other mental health conditions.
For quality pediatric mental health care, call or click today.
