Citation

Harrington R. Medicine (Abingdon) 2004; 32(8): 53-55.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Medicine Publishing)

DOI

10.1383/medc.32.8.53.43168

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Emotional problems in children may be grouped into distinct syndromes, though there is overlap between them. Anxiety disorders are often exaggerations of normal developmental trends rather than qualitatively abnormal phenomena. The clinical features of depressive disorder in adolescents are similar to those in adults, but depression is more difficult to diagnose in children. Unexplained physical symptoms such as abdominal pain and headaches are present in many children attending medical services and are often related to health problems in the family. Obsessions and compulsions are a normal part of child and adolescent development; treatment is required only when development, academic performance or family life is clearly impaired. Severe forms of emotional disorder often present with school attendance problems.