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Your Guide to Mental Health and Wellness
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Children & Family

Childhood Issues

Whether you’re dealing with behavioral issues, common childhood problems, or serious attachment issues, it’s important to provide the stability, structure, and care all kids need to feel loved, self-confident, and safe.

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Explore Childhood Issues

Childhood Issues FAQs

Is my child anxious?
Children may not always verbalize their anxiousness, but you can look for symptoms such as headaches, physical tension, digestive issues, and difficulty concentrating. An anxious child might also have a hard time sleeping or complain about nightmares. Behavioral signs might include tantrums, irritability, or frequent crying. Fidgeting is another sign that a child is anxious.
What is oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) in children?
Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a behavior disorder where a child is prone to temper tantrums, disregards rules, and is habitually angry, hostile, or vindictive toward peers and adults. The exact cause of the disorder is unknown, but it could stem from biological factors or issues with the child’s social environment or emotional attachment. Boys are more likely to have ODD, and some risk factors include having a mood disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In some cases, ODD symptoms decrease as the child ages, but it’s also possible for the condition to develop into conduct disorder or antisocial personality disorder.
What is pica?
Pica is an eating disorder where a person eats non-food items that have no nutritional value, such as dirt, paint, or paper. Although it tends to occur in children, adults can also experience it. This unusual pattern of eating must last for at least one month for a diagnosis to be made. If left untreated, it can lead to digestive issues like stomach pain, nausea, and intestinal blockage. It can also result in poisoning or choking, depending on what non-food items are consumed. Pica tends to be caused by nutritional deficiency.
What is dysgraphia?
Dysgraphia is a neurological disorder that impairs a person’s writing abilities. If your child has dysgraphia, they may have trouble with writing basics, such as writing in a straight line or spacing or sizing letters correctly. Grammatical troubles can also show up, such as improperly using upper- and lower-case letters or putting words in the wrong order. Sometimes this disorder occurs without any other learning disabilities, meaning your child is able to perform normally in other academic areas.
Does my child have an adjustment disorder?
An adjustment disorder stems from a reaction to a stressful event or change in a child’s life. While it requires a psychiatrist or other mental health professional to evaluate and diagnose an adjustment disorder, there are some factors you can look out for. Has your child experienced a stressful or traumatic event in the last three months, such as parental divorce, a loved one’s death, or a relocation? Does your child seem to be stuck in a depressed or anxious mood since the event? Have they developed behavior issues, such as acting aggressively or withdrawing from friends? If so, it’s possible your child is having an unhealthy reaction to the life event and a psychiatric evaluation is necessary.