Child Mental Health Services

Approximately 20% of children are diagnosed with a mental illness in a given year. Yet in many instances, child mental health disorders go untreated and lead to a variety of symptoms that make it difficult for children to adapt to others and the world around them.

Achieve Concierge offers child mental health services in San Diego to help kids explore ways to cope with anxiety, ADHD, and other mental health disorders. We work with both parent and child to provide a personalized treatment plan that accounts for each patient’s symptoms. With our comprehensive approach to child mental health, we enable kids to develop and implement strategies so they can manage their mental health disorder symptoms on a consistent basis.

What Are Some of the Most Common Mental Health Disorders in Children?

Common mental health disorders in children include anxiety disorders, ADHD, eating disorders, and mood disorders.

Child mental health disorders can begin at a young age and continue into adulthood. A child may also be experiencing multiple mental health disorders at the same time.

The severity of a mental health disorder varies. In many cases, kids experience mental health disorder symptoms that range from mild to severe. In addition, these symptoms are often different than those experienced by adults with mental health disorders.

What Are Common Symptoms of Mental Health Disorders in Children?

Kids who experience a mental health disorder may have difficulty coping with everyday life situations and engaging in daily activities. They may experience negative moods, have trouble sleeping, and frequently express anger.

A mental health disorder can affect a child’s performance at school, and make it tough for a child to find friends or activities that he or she enjoys. Some kids with mental health disorders may experience excessive worrying and anxiety along with ongoing nightmares. They may also engage in aggressive behavior and spend long periods of time alone.

How Are Mental Health Disorders in Children Diagnosed and Treated?

Although kids may display a wide range of mental health disorder symptoms, the exact cause of mental health disorders in children is unknown. To date, research has linked mental health disorders in children to genetics, psychological trauma, and environmental stressors, among other factors. But there is no surefire way to know if one or more of these factors causes a child’s mental health disorder symptoms.

If a parent believes that his or her child is dealing with a mental health disorder, meeting with a pediatrician is vital. At this time, a pediatrician can perform a physical exam and use diagnostic testing to rule out physical illnesses that could cause mental health disorder symptoms. A pediatrician reviews a child’s medical history as part of this evaluation as well.

In the event that no physical illness is discovered in a child, he or she may next meet with a psychiatrist. At this point, a psychiatrist observes a child’s attitude and behavior, and also learns about a child from his or her parents and teachers.

If a child is diagnosed with a mental health disorder, then medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two may be used to help him or her cope with different symptoms. Creative therapies such as art or play therapy may also be considered as part of a child’s mental health disorder treatment plan.

At Achieve Concierge, our child mental health services in San Diego are designed to deliver long-lasting results. Our expert medical clinicians provide individualized treatment to help a child manage his or her mental health disorder symptoms. To learn more about our child mental health services in San Diego or to schedule a consultation, please contact us online, or call us today at (858) 221-0344.