Emotional Disturbance of Childhood/Adolescence

Children and adolescents may experience emotional disturbances in response to everyday stressors. These may cause the individual to develop emotional or behavioural symptoms.

Signs and symptoms include:

• Difficulties functioning in more than one setting (e.g. home, school, or with peers)
• Changes in appetite or sleep
• Social withdrawal
• Fear of things that the individual was previously unafraid of
• Returning to behaviours more common in younger children, such as bedwetting
• Signs of low mood (e.g. sadness or tearfulness)
• Signs of self-destructive behaviour (e.g. cutting, head-banging or suddenly getting hurt often)
• Suicidal thoughts

It is important to have your child or adolescent evaluated if you think there is a problem. A doctor or mental health specialist can review the signs and symptoms, medical history, and family history to arrive at a diagnosis.

Treatment is aimed at recognising and treating the symptoms early before they develop into a serious mental health problem. Your child or adolescent may benefit from talk therapy, behavioural therapy, medication, or a combination of these.