Children’s Mental Health in Buffalo, NY
It can be difficult to measure your child’s behavioral health because children can act out in many ways that may worry their parents. As children develop, they are constantly learning how to interact with the world around them, and how to respond to these interactions. If your child experiences distress or consistent problems throughout their everyday life, they may have a behavioral disorder.
American Psychological Association stated in their article that there are around 20 million young people in the United States who have been diagnosed and are receiving a mental health treatment. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that 1 in 5 children between the ages of 3 and 17 suffer from a mental, emotional, behavioral, or developmental disability.
At Delaware Peds, our pediatricians in Buffalo have years of experience in helping children find the best and highest quality of mental healthcare. Learn more about the most common types of behavioral health disorders in children. If you think your child may have a behavioral disorder, schedule your appointment at Delaware Pediatrics in Buffalo, NY today.
Common Mental and Behavioral Disorders
Anxiety
If your child is so fearful or worried that they unable to perform daily functions at school or at home then they may have an anxiety disorder.
Depression
All kids experience sadness. However, if this sadness progresses into feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, it may be a sign of a more concerning condition such as depression.
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental condition that can affect children in a variety of ways. Generally, kids with ADHD experience trouble when trying to focus on a task.
Conduct Disorder (CD)
If children are consistently breaking rules set forth by their parents or teachers, and are aggressive toward others, they may be diagnosed with conduct disorder.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
This disorder typically presents itself in children ages 8-12 and is characterized by a short temper, refusal to follow the direction of others, and arguing with people in a disrespectful manner.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Kids with OCD may have obsessions, compulsions, or both. These cause the child to have an urge that may not be particularly rational, but makes them feel as though they must act on it anyway.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Generally, children are incredibly resilient, which allows them to recover quickly from a stressful event. Cases where such stressful events leave a lasting, negative impression on their child and their life are known as post-traumatic stress disorder.
Tourette’s Syndrome
Both children and adults with Tourette’s will make involuntary verbal or physical outbursts that are referred to as “tics”.
Schedule an Appointment at Delaware Pediatrics
Some behavioral disorders are more easy to manage than others, but each one can warrant the advice and care of a professional if it is affecting the child’s daily functions. To speak with a children’s behavioral health expert from Delaware Pediatrics, please call our pediatric clinic in Buffalo, NY today at (716) 884-0230 to schedule an appointment.