by KC Kelly, Ph.D., LMHC

http://DOCintheBiz.com

Should Children Under a Certain Age be Diagnosed or Labeled With a Mental Illness?

In asking the question: “Should Children Under a Certain Age be Diagnosed or Labeled With a Mental Illness?” one is asking a question that has been under debate by expert doctors around the country, or world for that matter, for years.

In my research as a professional, it has not been determined whether or not children under 3 years old can be clinically diagnosed with depression, an anxiety disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder, or bipolar disorder, just to name a few childhood disorders. However, let it be clear that the majority of professionals would probably refute the notion that a child under pre-school or early elementary school age, should be diagnosed, classified or labeled. I am in that majority.

I have often seen, however, many of the symptoms of separation anxiety, for instance, in children this age. The symptoms can often be devastating to witness. They should be closely monitored, but not necessarily labeled at such an early age.

There are many debates surrounding this issue:

1. Will a child “grow out of it” or if it will become a disorder in the future?

2. Are people biologically predisposed to mental/emotional disorders (and many articles prove this to be true) or are environmental factors the cause? (i.e. home life, parenting, social interactions)

When one is biologically predisposed to a mental/emotional disorder, this means that the genes have been passed down the family tree and research has shown that children can be born with these genes. Then the other side of the coin questions why one sibling but not the other from the same biological parents or even one twin over another will get the gene which causes the problem.

3. Is it a positive or negative move to diagnose, label, or classify a child in pre-school or even elementary school with a mental/emotional disorder for it to go into their records that will follow them throughout their school years?

Research has a long way to go to answer the questions and doctors, teachers, counselors, and parents all have their own views. I may not necessarily have THE answers to these questions, but I do have my own thoughts and opinions which are all based on each and every individual and unique case that comes my way.

I am not one of the doctors that is quick to shell out medication to anyone, let alone children, but I would in fact watch a suffering child very closely as they grow and mature. I would hate to think of anyone living a life not full of quality because of a mental or emotional disorder.

The only fact in the literature that I have found is that children can be diagnosed as being on the autistic spectrum under the age of 3.

We, as clinicians in the medical and psychology field have a long way to go to answer the question, “Should Children Under a Certain Age be Diagnosed  or Labeled With a Mental Illness?”

Please visit me at http://DOCintheBiz.com for mental health self help links and the opportunity to email me for professional and confidential help with any concerns you may have. You are never alone!

Dr. KC
http://DOCintheBiz.com

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