Why Is Children’s Mental Health Important?
Mental health — an essential part of children’s overall health — has a complex interactive relationship with their physical health and their ability to succeed in school, at work and in society. Both physical and mental health affect how we think, feel and act on the inside and outside.
All children and youth have the right to happy and healthy lives and deserve access to effective care to prevent or treat any mental health problems that they may develop. However, there is a tremendous amount of unmet need, and health disparities are particularly pronounced for children and youth living in low-income communities, ethnic minority youth or those with special needs.
How Many Children Have Mental Health Disorders?
An estimated 15 million of our nation’s young people can currently be diagnosed with a mental health disorder. Many more are at risk of developing a disorder due to risk factors in their biology or genetics; within their families, schools, and communities; and among their peers. There is a great need for mental health professionals to provide the best available care based on scientific evidence, good clinical expertise, and that takes into account the unique characteristics of the child or adolescent. However, it is estimated that only about 7 percent of these youth who need services receive appropriate help from mental health professionals (Dept of Health and Human Services, 2001 — Report of the Surgeon General’s Conference on Children’s Mental Health: A National Action Agenda).
ADHD in Children and Depression
ADHD in Children
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurobiological disorder characterized by developmentally inappropriate impulsivity, inattention, and in some cases, hyperactivity. All of us have occasional difficulty sitting still, paying attention, or controlling impulsive behavior. For some children and adults, however, the problem is so pervasive and persistent that it interferes with their daily lives at home, at school, at work, and in social settings.
Between 3 to 7 percent of school children are affected by ADHD in the U.S. In the pediatric age group, ADHD is much more common in boys than in girls.
Studies show that patients with ADHD have demonstrable low levels of catecholamine in their brains, and the actual brain volume in certain areas of the brain may also be smaller. Scientists have also isolated certain genes which are specifically associated with ADHD. Essentially, ADHD occurs due to low levels of certain chemicals in the brain.
How Do We Diagnose ADHD?
Preferred Media Group is proud to offer the latest in objective, scientific computerized testing for ADHD. To learn more please read about our ground-breaking Qb Testing techniques.
To make the diagnosis, several of the ADHD symptoms must be present before the age of 12 years, and symptoms must be present in more than one setting. Diagnosis is made mostly by getting history from the parents, caregivers, teachers and other adults who work with the child. Your doctor will ask the parent/caregiver and the teacher to fill out one of several different rating scales. Some of the commonly used rating scales are the Connor’s, Vanderbilt, and Child Behavior Checklist. Then, the doctor will do a very detailed interview with you and the child.
What are the symptoms of ADHD?
ADHD has three sub types, and symptoms will vary accordingly:
- ADHD inattentive type
- ADHD hyperactive/impulsive type
- ADHD combined type
The symptoms of the inattentive type of ADHD include:
- Makes careless mistakes/poor attention to detail
- Difficulty sustaining attention in tasks/play
- Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
- Difficulty following instructions
- Difficulty organizing tasks/activities
- Avoids tasks requiring sustained mental effort
- Loses items necessary for tasks/activities
- Easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
- Often forgetful in daily activities
The symptoms of the hyperactive/impulsive type include:
- Fidgets
- Leaves seat
- Runs or climbs excessively (or restlessness)
- Difficulty engaging in leisure activities quietly
- “On the go” or “driven by a motor”
- Talks excessively
- Blurts out answers before question is completed
- Difficulty waiting turn
- Interrupts or intrudes on others
What are the treatment options for ADHD?
The Gold standard of treatment is stimulant medication, though there are several other classes of medications also that can be used. Other things that could be used in conjunction are: cognitive behavioral therapy, parent management training, social skills training and educational support at school in the form of a 504 plan and/or an Individualized Education Plan (IEP.)
Will my child ever “grow out of it”?
As the child matures, the hyperactivity and impulsivity decrease, but the inattention is more likely to be a lifelong issue.
We often use the “Rule of Thirds” to break down the potential outcomes of ADHD cases:
- 1/3 -> complete resolution
- 1/3 -> continued inattention, some impulsivity
- 1/3 -> early Oppositional Defiant Disorder/Conduct Disorder, poor academic achievement, substance abuse, antisocial adults
How Preferred Medical Group Can Help
Erica Chapman, Mother of Eriel Chapman
Learning Problems
Many behaviors can be a sign of possible learning problems. Of course, one indicator is poor grades in school. But often, children with learning problems also have trouble learning to take care of themselves at home or in the community independently (e.g., young children may show delays in learning to walk or talk, older children may have trouble learning to keep up their daily hygiene on their own). Other children have very strong abilities in some areas but struggle in one particular area. Sometimes children act out when they have learning problems. They might try to avoid going to school or begin to have physical ailments, such as stomachaches or headaches.
If you suspect your child may have learning problems, talk to your child’s teacher or doctor about your concerns. Learning problems can be diagnosed by completing a psychological evaluation that includes an IQ or developmental test to assess your child’s overall intellectual abilities, an assessment of adaptive behavior skills (i.e., independent daily living skills), and, depending on your child’s age, possibly an achievement test to assess specific academic skills. A comprehensive evaluation is necessary to rule out other problems that may be affecting your child’s grades, such as depression, anxiety, or ADHD. Treatment for learning problems usually includes special instruction or accommodations at school to help your child learn.
How Preferred Medical Group Can Help
Brittany Scott, mother of Mackenzie Scott
Anxiety
You may be surprised to learn that all children experience anxiety in one form or another at all
life-stages and ages. Beginning around 8-9 months your baby may have separation anxiety ,
crying whenever he or she is placed on the ground, and possibly clinging to you when you or a
caregiver leaves his or her sight. They feel they are being abandoned by their loved one. As the
brain matures, that transitions to stranger anxiety, where your baby will cry, scream or pitch an
overall fit, when people new or that they are not used to, approach them. Examples: daycare
workers, church nurseries, people who are loud or have deep voices, and yes, Santa Claus.
That is why all of those photos of toddlers with The Jolly Old Elf have a red-faced, crying
youngster. These anxieties are normal parts of development and should resolve by the time
they are 30-36 months old. If there is prolonged attachment disorders, that may be a true case
of anxiety. As the child grows older, he or she may experience increased anxiety through school
situations, social interactions, family dynamics, illness or death of a loved one, relocation to a
new school or town and even birth or adoption of a new sibling. If the situations cause poor
behaviors, poor school performance, disruptive behavior or distress in daily functioning, you
may want to see one of our mental health providers to assist the child and family begin to heal.
Useful Links
In addition to ADHD and Anxiety , our providers perform evaluation and subsequent treatment
for many psychological and neuro-developmental conditions. We screen for autism disorder,
conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD),
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and bullying and its consequences. We are dedicated to
making sure your child and family are in the best mental health possible and we look forward to
serving you. Below are some links to describe and explain many common mental health issues.
Child and Adolescent Mental Illness and Drug Abuse – AACAP
Glossary of Symptoms and Illnesses – AACAP
