CHILDHOOD DISORDERS

     About one out of every ten youths is estimated to meet the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) criteria for a Serious Emotional Disturbance (SRD),defined as a mental health problem that has a drastic impact on a child's ability to function socially, academically, and emotionally.

Disorders of psychological development

1.       Specific developmental disorders of speech and language

2.       Specific developmental disorders of scholastic skills

3.       Specific reading disorder

4.       Specific spelling disorder

5.       Specific disorder of arithmetical skills

Disorders of psychological development

1. Specific developmental disorder of motor function
2. Mixed specific developmental disorders
3. Pervasive developmental disorders
1. Childhood autism
2. Rett's syndrome
3. Other childhood disintegrative disorder
4. Asperger's syndrome

Behavioural and emotional disorders with onset
usually occurring in childhood and adolescence

1. Attention Deficit Hyperkinetic disorders
2. Conduct Disorders
3. Emotional disorders with onset specific to childhood
1. Separation anxiety disorder of childhood
2. Phobic anxiety disorder of childhood
3. Social anxiety disorder of childhood
4. Sibling rivalry disorder
4. Disorders of social functioning with onset specific to childhood and adolescence
1. Elective mutism
5. Tic disorders
1. Tourette’s Disorder

Childhood Depression

1.       Irritability instead of depressed mood

2.       Decreased interest in studies instead of anhedonia

3.       Question Suicidal Intention

Anxiety disorders in childhood

1.       Separation Anxiety in very young children

2.       Social Anxiety in other children

Treatment

1. Choice of treatment : Counseling and therapy
2. Second option : Pharmacotherapy
1. ADs have shown to increase suicidality in children