Children's mental health is as important as their physical health. Read on for helpful answers to common questions that can help you protect your child's mental health.
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Common symptoms of a potential emotional, behavioral, or developmental problem include poor grades in school, withdrawal from friends and family, and insomnia.
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Temper tantrums are a normal part of childhood development. They often happen only with a parent. They are a way for the child to communicate their feelings. Read on to learn more.
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Lying and stealing are common, but inappropriate, behaviors in school-aged children. Most of the time these behaviors will be outgrown. Here's what you should know.
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Conduct disorder is a type of behavior disorder. It’s when a child has antisocial behavior. They may disregard basic social standards and rules.
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Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a type of behavior disorder. It is mostly diagnosed in childhood. Children with ODD are uncooperative, defiant, and hostile toward peers, parents, teachers, and other authority figures.
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Children who have ADHD are often given medicine as part of their treatment plan. The type of medicine most often chosen is a psychostimulant. Read on to learn more.
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Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a brain-based, or neurodevelopmental, disorder. It is often first diagnosed in childhood.
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Autism spectrum disorder is a problem that affects a child's nervous system and growth and development. It often shows up during a child's first 3 years of life.
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Where can you as a parent turn to for the facts about vaccine safety? The first place to go is your child's healthcare provider.
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Separation anxiety usually begins around 6 months of age. Babies may suddenly be afraid of familiar people, such as babysitters or grandparents.
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The prospect of new experiences away from parents or other loved ones can be quite frightening, especially for younger children. These worries are a normal part of development for all children.
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Learning about grief and how it affects your family can help you get through the difficult times together. It may even help your family grow stronger.
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Anger, fear, separation anxiety, a sense of abandonment, self-blame, sadness, and embarrassment are common reactions to divorce for most children.
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During the teen years, peer pressure can be very strong. It can push kids to do things that they don't really want to do. This pressure can come from friends or other kids at school. But parents can counter it, if they're ready to help.
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Research shows that adolescents who grow up with high self-esteem are far less likely to abuse drugs or drink, compared with children who grow up without much sense of self-worth.
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A psychiatric evaluation looks at the child's behaviors, when those behaviors happen, and what impact those behaviors have on school, family, and other relationships.
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Team members may include a child and adolescent psychiatrist, a psychologist, a social worker, and a psychiatric nurse. Read on to learn more.
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Anyone can feel sad or depressed at times. But mood disorders are more intense. They are harder to handle than normal feelings of sadness. Read on to learn more about these types of disorders in teens.
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Major depression goes beyond the day's normal ups and downs. It involves a teen's body, mood, and thoughts. It can affect and disrupt eating, sleeping, or thinking patterns.
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Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a type of anxiety disorder. A child with OCD has obsessive thoughts that are not wanted. The thoughts are linked to fears, such as touching dirty objects.
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A phobia is an excessive fear of a certain object or situation. It's a fear that lasts for at least 6 months. It is a type of anxiety disorder. Here's what you need to know.
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Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder. A child with bulimia overeats or binges uncontrollably. This overeating may be followed by self-induced throwing up (purging).
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Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder. It is a form of self-starvation. Children and teens with this health problem have a distorted body image. They think they weigh too much.
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Besides having trouble with school and relationships, teens taking drugs may display emotional extremes with irritability, anger, and changes in sleep patterns.
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Binge drinkers are most likely found on college campuses, where many students consider a big game or fraternity party an excuse to drink all weekend.
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Talking with your child about drugs, alcohol and tobacco is hard. But you can't afford to ignore these topics. Kids learn about these substances and feel pressure to use them at a very young age.
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DXM is a common ingredient in many cough and cold remedies. It's also become a popular substance to abuse by teens searching for a cheap, easy high. Here's what you should know.
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Studies show that about half of U.S. teens have had sex by age 18. Read on for helpful tips about educating your kids about sex.
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Suicide is when a teen causes his or her own death on purpose. Before trying to take his or her own life, a teen may have thoughts of wanting to die. Read on to learn how to recognize the warning signs, and how to get your teen help.
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Before your teens leave home, teach them to make their own healthcare decisions. One way is to provide information and include them in their own self-care from an early age.
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Learning symptoms of mental illness can help you recognize when you or a loved one need help.
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It's normal to feel stressed or anxious now and then. But it's time to call for help if emotional issues interfere with your life, your job or your personal relationships.
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Learn all about antidepressants, including how they work, tips for taking them, and possible side effects.
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Depression is a serious mood disorder. It touches every part of your life and is caused by a chemical imbalance in your brain. Treatment involves medicine and counseling.
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When you're faced with a highly stressful event in your life, the strategies outlined here will help you cope.
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Emotional stress can have a serious effect on the body. But a healthy, well-balanced diet and regular exercise can help. Read on for more tips.
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An overview of workplace stress, with helpful tips and exercises to help you relax and relieve some pressure.
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Abuse often begins with verbal behaviors, such as name-calling, threats, and hitting or throwing objects. It can become worse, including pushing, slapping, and holding against the victim's will.
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Domestic violence, or intimate partner violence, is when someone you're in a romantic relationship with tries to control you through fear and threats. Read on for detailed information.
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Today there are alternatives to 12-step programs. Some treatment programs teach problem drinkers to reduce their drinking. This approach appeals to people who otherwise might not seek treatment.
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When a friend shows signs of abusing alcohol or other drugs, it's hard to know what to do or say. Here's how to help.
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Good mental health is just as important as good physical health. But we all face changes in life that can challenge our emotional well being.
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Yoga is a series of stretches and poses that you do with breathing techniques. It offers the powerful benefits of exercise. And since yoga is gentle, almost anyone can do it, regardless of your age or fitness level.
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When your life seems to be spinning out of control, it's OK to seek professional mental health help.
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A psychiatric evaluation will look at symptoms and when they happen, as well as what impact they have on family and work relationships.
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In older people, it's easy to mistake memory problems for the everyday forgetfulness that some people have as they grow older.
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People with heart disease are at increased risk for serious depression--and unfortunately, many of them don't know it.
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Depression is not a natural part of growing old. It's a health condition that should be treated aggressively. Read on to learn more.
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