Child Mental Health

What is an anxiety disorder? An anxiety disorder is when we often feel very anxious. This can be anxious about something specific or feeling anxious all the time. Sometimes a person will also have panic attacks. A panic attack is when you feel intense anxiety over a short period of...

What is a behavioural concern? Some children act differently to other children. Behaving differently isn’t always a problem. But, if your child’s conduct is causing stress, worry, harm, or risk – either to your child, or to those around your child – then there is a cause for concern. Examples...

What is a behavioural disorder? A behavioural disorder is when a child has difficulty with their emotions and behaviours. Their behaviour can be negative towards others, not follow expected rules or they may not do as asked or expected. To be diagnosed, the behaviour has to be severe enough that...

What is a compulsive disorder? A compulsive disorder is when a person has repeated unwanted thoughts or the need to repeat a specific behaviour or mental act. It is sometimes confused with anxiety because of the distress caused by the thoughts and need to repeat the behaviour. To be diagnosed,...

What are depressive and bipolar disorders? A depressive disorder is when a person has low mood, less interest or enjoyment in activities and other symptoms that have lasted for at least two weeks. In children, they may become more irritable and have temper outbursts (referred to as disruptive mood dysregulation...

What is a developmental concern? GPs use milestones to track your child’s development. Milestones are the skills and tasks children can do at different ages. For example, smiling at 6 weeks, or forming words around 12 months. Milestones are based on five domains: fine motor, gross motor, speech, social, and...

What is it? GPs use milestones to track your child’s development. Milestones are the skills and tasks children can do at different ages. If your child is not meeting one or more milestones, there may be a cause for concern. See the developmental concerns in children factsheet for more information...

What is a digital mental health support? A digital mental health support is a service which is offered online or over the phone for low or no cost to the person using it. These services are important for people who might not seek support in other ways, are in a...

What is a psychotic disorder? Getting a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder will depend how long, how bad and in what ways are the child has any of the above symptoms. There are a lot of conditions which can look like a psychotic disorder (such as autism or bipolar) which...

What is a temper tantrum? Temper tantrums, also known as tantrums, are emotional outbursts. If your child is having a tantrum, they might cry, yell and stamp. They may act like they are out of control or run away. Anger and frustration are common signs. Children with severe tantrums may...