Child and Adolescent Psychiatry is a branch of medicine that deals with the study and treatment of mental disorders and behaviour of children, from birth through to adolescence.
Generally, in the treatment of these disorders, the administration of specific medication for each specific pathology is combined with psychotherapy. Also, often the child and adolescent psychiatrist works with a professional expert in paediatric psychology, which is a branch of psychology focused on the study of behaviour and physical, motor, cognitive, perceptual, emotional and social development of children. They may also work closely with Family Therapists and Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists. Thus, therapies can be applied to solve childhood mental and behavioural disorders.
Specialists in child and adolescent psychiatry diagnose the mental disorders and behaviours of children based on their medical history, examinations and tests in each case.
What disorders does a child and adolescent psychiatrist treat?
Some of the disorders that a child and adolescent psychiatrist treat are:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- ADHD
When should a child be taken to see a psychiatrist?
A child could be taken to a child and adolescent psychiatry specialist if they have certain behavioural problems, eating disorder, or when indicated by their GP, psychologist, paediatrician or school.