How are mental illnesses diagnosed in young children?

A. Just like adults, children with mental illness are diagnosed after a doctor or mental health specialist carefully observes signs and symptoms. Some primary care physicians can diagnose your child themselves, but many will send you to a specialist who can diagnose and treat children. Before diagnosing a mental illness, the doctor or specialist tries to rule out other possible causes for your child’s behavior. The doctor will: • Take a history of any important medical problems • Take a history of the problem – how long you have seen the problem – as well as a history of your child’s development • Take a family history of mental disorder • Ask if the child has experienced physical or psychological traumas, such as a natural disaster, or situations that may cause stress, such as a death in the family • Consider reports from parents and other caretakers or teachers. Very young children often cannot express their thoughts and feelings, so making a diagnosis can be challenging. The signs ...  more