It may come as a surprise to some, but life can be difficult for people of all ages, including kids and teens! Research has displayed that children, teenagers, and adults are diagnosed with mental illness at similar rates. Even though it may be easy, difficult, uncomfortable, pleasant, or even awkward to talk about mental health, the odds are you have met or know someone who is experiencing or has experienced difficulty with their own mental health. Today, athletes and celebrities such as Naomi Osaka, Michael Phelps, Serena Williams, Demar Derozan, Simone Biles, Kevin Love, and Kid Cudi have shared their experiences with mental illness. However, there are countless others who have shared similar experiences. Below, please find information about different diagnoses that may or may not relate to you. Although some diagnoses may seem like they fit, it is important to remember that you need to be assessed by a certified health professional to be formally diagnosed. In the meantime, read on and know that no matter what you are going through, you are not alone. If you have more specific questions, please do not hesitate to let us know, and as always, if you need immediate assistance, please check out the Conquer Life Foundation crisis hotline section.

Anxiety Disorders

Generalized Anxiety Disorder:

Individuals with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) may experience a constant feeling of increased anxiety and worry. Symptoms of GAD may appear as a pattern of consistent worrying, a pattern of experiencing fear during stressful situations or environments, or dread about the future. If you have felt such symptoms for at least 6 months and feel your symptoms have made it more difficult for you to function in your life, GAD may be consistent with your current experiences and symptoms.

People with GAD may have a tougher time coping in different environments and completing daily tasks. They may often experience fears about family, performance at school, friendships, and their social status. Children and teens with GAD may, at times, seem irritable and quick to anger.

Symptoms:

• Restlessness or difficulty remaining still while seated.
• Feeling tired or fatigued.
• Difficulty concentrating on tasks.
• Feeling as though your mind is "constantly wandering".
• Muscle tension or stiffness.
• Becoming hypervigilant (overly focused).

Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD):

Separation anxiety disorder (SAD) is the most common anxiety disorder in children who are younger than 12 years old. Separation anxiety disorder means an individual may become scared or anxious when they are required to be away from those who they are close to (i.e., family, friends, etc.). Individuals with SAD may become just as fearful or anxious when they think about the possibility of being separated from individuals they are close to.

Symptoms:

• Frequent distress when thinking about or anticipating separation from a key figure in their life.
• Consistent fear or anxiety about leaving the home and going into different environments.
• Consistent fear of being isolated, abandoned, or left alone.
• Repeated nightmares about being separated from friends or family members.
• Refusal to sleep away from home or go to sleep without a key figure in their life nearby.
• Feelings of an upset stomach or headache.

Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia):

Social anxiety disorder is when an individual experiences symptoms of anxiety within one or more social situations where they may be exposed to negative criticism by peers or adults. Within social situations, individuals with social anxiety disorder may fear humiliating or embarrassing themselves, which may result in them avoiding certain places or situations. They may experience instant fear or anxiety when thinking about being in certain situations or places.

Symptoms:

• Fear of acting in a way that would result in them being judged by others.
• Excessive worry concerning attendance at social events.
• Excessive worry and anxiety about giving class presentations or speaking in group activities.
• Avoidance of school, extracurricular activities, or groups, or fear of eating in front of others.
• Often experiencing stomachaches and headaches.

Panic Disorder:

Panic disorder includes regularly occurring panic attacks, which can happen at least once a week. A panic attack is an increase in intense feelings of fear or discomfort, usually lasting about 20 minutes. Panic disorder is much less common among children who have not reached puberty in comparison to adolescents. Individuals often visit the ER in such situations, not realizing they may be experiencing a panic attack associated with the symptoms listed below.

Symptoms:

• Pounding heart.
• Sweating.
• Shaking.
• Feeling like breathing is hard.
• Feelings of choking.
• Chest pain or discomfort.
• Nausea or stomachaches.
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded.
• Chills or heat sensations.
• Numbness or tingling sensation.
• Fear of losing control or "going crazy".
• Fear of dying.

Depressive Disorders

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD):

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common diagnoses for children and adolescents in the field of psychology. Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a persistent state of sadness and loss of interest lasting 2 weeks or more. The symptoms of MDD can impact how one feels, thinks, and behaves and can also result in emotional and physical problems. This is the more severe form of depression that could lead to changes in behaviors, sleep, energy levels, and self-confidence.

Symptoms:

• Increased irritability.
• Crying or shouting outburst.
• Decreased interest in play or activities you have always loved.
• Thoughts of worthlessness or suicide.
• Increased bodily complaints (i.e., stomachache, headache).
• Low self-esteem and feelings of guilt and hopelessness.
• Increased boredom.
• Poor school performance.
• Difficulty sleeping.
• Loss of appetite.
• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD):

Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) is associated with frequent outbursts, including physical aggression or harm towards others and oneself, often out of proportion to the situation or provocation, and detrimental to the individual’s developmental level. DMDD is not diagnosed in individuals younger than 6 years old or older than 18 years old.

Symptoms: 

• Frequent displays of outburst (i.e., verbal rage and/or physical aggression toward people, property or oneself).
• Persistent irritability between outbursts.
• Getting angry in response to things that happen in their environment.
• Seeming as though their anger goes from "0 to 100".
• Difficulty returning back to "normal" state after becoming angry or upset.

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a disorder which develops in childhood and impacts an individual’s ability to maintain attention, concentrate, solve problems, utilize language skills, and interact socially with others. The symptoms associated with ADHD can impact an individual’s ability to function within multiple environments of their lives. It is estimated that 5% of children have a diagnosis of ADHD. It is important to note that there are different forms of ADHD, namely, inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined type (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive) ADHD. Although someone may appear to experience symptoms consistent with ADHD, often, anxiety disorders and there symptoms can be mistaken for symptoms of ADHD.

Symptoms: according to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder - 5th Edition (DSM-5).
 (Inattention):

• Difficulty paying close attention to details or making careless mistakes.
• Difficulty concentrating on tasks or social activities.
• Does not seem to listen when directly spoken to.
• Does not follow through on instructions and may fail to finish school work or chores.
• Difficulty organizing tasks.
• Avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained attention.
• Often loses materials necessary to complete tasks.
• Easily distracted by the objects in their environment.
• Often forgetful in daily activities.

(Hyperactivity and impulsivity):

• May appear fidgety
• May leave their seat often even when expected to remain seated.
• May run or climb in situations which are not appropriate.
• Unable to play quietly.
• May appear to often be "on the go".
• Talks excessively
• Blurts out answers prior to the question being completed.
• Often interrupts others or intrudes on their conversations.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD):

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges. Individuals with ASD may communicate, interact, behave, and learn in ways that are different from most. To receive a diagnosis of ASD, an individual must display consistent difficulty in their social communication and social interaction in different environments and situations. Those with ASD may also display repetitive patterns of behavior and a strong interest in several interests or activities. Symptoms may become visible during the second year of life. However, if the developmental delays are severe enough, symptoms may become observable prior to 12 months of age.

Symptoms:

• Not looking at objects when another person points to them.
• Having trouble relating to others or not having an interest in others.
• Avoiding eye-contact.
• Difficulty understanding other people’s feelings or talking about their feelings.
• Difficulty understanding sarcasm or humor.
• May be interested in people but may be unsure of how to talk, play, or relate to them.
• Repeating words or phrases spoken to them.
• Repeating actions over and over.
• Having trouble adapting to changes in their routine.
• Experiencing unusual reactions to the way things smell, taste, look, feel, or sound.
• Difficulty maintaining friendships.
• Fixated interest in one area (i.e., toys, school subjects).
• Repetitive bodily regulation movements such as tapping their feet, rubbing their hands, snapping fingers, etc.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a stress related disorder that occurs in response to traumatic experiences endured by an individual (i.e., assault, physical/emotional/sexual abuse, accidents, fires, or the death of a loved one.). Not all children who experience a traumatic event develop a stress disorder due to differences between individuals.
Individuals with PTSD may attempt to avoid memories, feelings, or external situations which remind them of a traumatic experience. They may display difficulty recalling and remembering specific aspects of the traumatic event, often blaming themselves for the trauma. They can also display a sense of anxiousness, difficulty concentrating, and can find it hard to sleep at times due to nightmares associated with the traumatic event. They are often detached from themselves, as though living in a dream or a world that feels unreal.

Symptoms: adapted from Stanford Children’s Health - Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. 

• Difficulty sleeping.
• Feeling depressed or grumpy.
• Feeling nervous, anxious, alert, or watchful (on guard).
• Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed.
• Seeming to be detached, numb, or unresponsive.
• Difficulty feeling affectionate.
• Increased aggression or even becoming violent at times.
• Avoiding certain situations or places that recall past memories associated with the past traumatic experience.
• Losing touch with reality.
• Difficulty within school.
• Physical symptoms including headaches or stomach aches.