Mental Health Issues in Children

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is beneficial for children who experience different mental health issues including, Depression, Anxiety and ADHD. Below is some brief information on each.

Depression
Depression in children can be caused by a number of different factors. These include; physical health, life events, family history of depression, genetic vulnerability and the environment.
The presentation of a depressed child includes a sad and low self mood, lack of motivation, general low self-esteem and self-belief. (Florey, 2001)

Anxiety
There is no one cause for anxiety in children. Exposure to a stressfull environment can be a pathway to developing anxiety. Both geneitic and physiological make-up and exposure to specific trauma may also increase chances anxiety.
A child with anxiety may experience some of the following symptoms; a sense of apprehension or worry, low self- esteem and physical symptoms that may include headache, muscle tension, perspiration, restlessness, tension in the chest and mild stomach discomfort.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD)
ADHD fall in three main areas. These are hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity.
A hyperactive child is often fidgety, has difficulty being quiet, always on the go and talks excessively. An inattentive will often have difficulty sustaining attention, struggles to listen to what is being sent, will not follow instructions or finish tasks, avoids tasks that require mental effort and is easily distracted. A child with impulsivity will often interrupt others and speak when not supposed to and is unable to wait their turn. (Rutherford, 2010)
Rutherford (2010) states that the combination of difficulties that a child with ADHD experiences is associated with increased rates of observed educational and social behaviour which therefore causes a decrease in self-esteem.

Link to more info on child anxiety
Link to more info on child depression
Link to more info on children with ADHD

Florey, L. (2001). Occupational Therapy for Child and Adolescent Mental Health. New York: Churchill Livingstone.

Rutherford, D. (2010, March 3rd). Symptoms of ADHD . Retrieved August 31st, 2011, from netdoctor: http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/adhd/indepthlookatsymptoms.htm