Child and adolescent behavioral health problems

If you know the illness or disorder you are trying to find, click here.

If you're not sure what the problem might be, review our list of common symptoms to see if any of them sound like your child.

Common symptoms of child and adolescent behavioral health problems

This is not an accurate diagnostic tool, but can provide a rough indication of whether you should see a behavioral health care professional.

Your child might have Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD, also known as ADHD for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) if he/she is:

Easily distracted by sights and sounds
Doesn't pay attention to detail
Doesn't seem to listen when spoken to
Makes careless mistakes
Doesn't follow through on instructions or tasks
Avoids or dislikes activities that require longer periods of mental effort
Loses or forgets items necessary for tasks
Is forgetful in day-to-day activities
Is restless, fidgets and squirms
Runs and climbs and is not able to stay seated
Blurts out answers before hearing the entire question
Has difficulty playing quietly
Talks excessively
Interrupts others
Has difficulty waiting in line or waiting for turn

Your child may have an anxiety disorder if he/she experiences:

Worry or dread
Obsessive or intrusive thoughts
Sense of imminent danger or catastrophe
Fear or panic
Restlessness
Irritability
Impatience
Ambivalence
Trouble concentrating
Rapid or irregular heartbeat
Sweating, especially the palms
Dry mouth
Flushing or blushing
Muscle tension
Shortness of breath
Lightheadedness or faintness
Difficulty sleeping
Shaking
Choking sensation
Frequent urination
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Constipation
Feeling of "butterflies" in the stomach
Tingling sensations
Nail biting or other habitual behavior

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Bipolar disorder often includes:

Dramatic mood swings ranging from elated excitability to hopeless despondency
Extreme changes in energy and behavior
Periods of highs that include:
- Persistent and inexplicable elevation in mood
- Increased energy and effort toward goal-directed activities
- Restlessness and agitation
- Racing thoughts, jumping from one idea to another
- Rapid speech or pressure to keep talking
- Trouble concentrating
- Decreased need for sleep
- Overconfidence or inflated self-esteem
- Poor judgment, often involving spending sprees and sexual indiscretions
Periods of lows that include:
- Prolonged sad, hopeless, or empty mood
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
- Decreased energy or fatigue
- Trouble concentrating, remembering, making decisions
- Restlessness or diminished movements, agitation
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Unintended weight loss or gain
- Thoughts of death or suicide with or without suicide attempts

These same symptoms might be a sign of depression.

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Symptoms of Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD) usually begin around age 8 and increase over several months. Children with ODD often:

Argue with adults
Lose their tempers
Refuse to follow adults' requests or rules
Deliberately annoy others and are annoyed by others
Are angry and resentful
Are spiteful or vindictive
Blame others for their own mistakes
Have low self-esteem

Symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) are:

Obsessions – unwanted, repetitive and intrusive ideas, impulses or images
Compulsions – repetitive behaviors or mental acts usually performed to reduce the distress associated with obsessions

Common obsessions include:

Persistent fears that harm may come to self or a loved one
Unreasonable concern with being contaminated
Unacceptable religious, violent, or sexual thoughts
Excessive need to do things correctly or perfectly

Common compulsions include:

Excessive checking of door locks, stoves, water faucets, light switches, etc.
Repeatedly making lists, counting, arranging, or aligning things
Collecting and hoarding useless objects
Repeating routine actions a certain number of times until it feels just right
Unnecessary re-reading and re-writing
Mentally repeating phrases

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If your child has experienced some kind of trauma, he/she might experience Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).Symptoms fall into three categories: