What is Selective Mutism? Selective Mutism is a complex childhood anxiety disorder in which a child, who has the ability to both understand and speak, fails to speak and communicate effectively in certain social settings or environments. This is different from a child with mutism who never speaks. Selective […]
Posts archive for April, 2012
Hair Pulling / Trichotillomania
While it is common for children, adolescents and even adults to play with their hair, frequent or obsessive hair pulling can lead to serious problems. When hair pulling becomes severe, the medical term for this is trichotillomania. People with trichotillomania pull hair on various parts of their bodies, including the […]
Learning Disorders
There are many reasons for school failure, but a common one is a specific learning disability. Children with learning disabilities may have normal intelligence, but the specific learning disability can make teachers and parents concerned about the general intelligence of the child. These children often try very hard to follow […]
Bed-Wetting / Enuresis
Parents often become concerned when their child continues to wet their bed at night past the age of three years old. Since most children begin to stay dry through the night around three years of age their concerns are valid. However, enuresis (bed-wetting) is a fairly common symptom and not […]
Reactive Attachment Disorder
What is Reactive Attachment Disorder? Reactive attachment disorder is a problem with social interaction that occurs when a child’s basic physical and emotional needs are neglected, particularly when the child is an infant. What Causes Reactive Attachment Disorder? Reactive Attachment Disorder is caused by the abuse or neglect of an […]
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
What is OCD? Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), a type of anxiety disorder, is a potentially disabling illness that traps people in endless cycles of repetitive thoughts and behaviors. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is characterized by recurrent intense obsessions and/or compulsions that cause severe discomfort and interfere with day-to-day functioning. Obsessions are recurrent and […]
Depression
What is Depression? Everyone has moments in their lives where they may feel down, sad or blue. However, these feelings typically don’t last long and pass within a few days. When you have depression, these feelings last much longer (at least 2 weeks) and can interfere with sleep, appetite, energy […]
Bipolar Disorder / (Manic-Depression)
What is Bipolar Disorder? Bipolar Disorder (Manic-Depression) is a brain disorder that causes unusual changes in mood, energy, behavior, and the ability to accomplish daily responsibilities. These symptoms can eventually cause relationships to fall apart, poor performance at school and work, and can even cause suicide. These severe symptoms of […]
Autism Spectrum Disorders
The autism spectrum disorders can often be reliably detected by the age of 3 years, and in some cases as early as 18 months. Studies suggest that many children eventually may be accurately identified by the age of 1 year or even younger. The appearance of any of the warning […]
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) & ADD
What is Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)? Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is an often-misunderstood condition, which is not only over diagnosed, but under diagnosed as well. While Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental health disorders of childhood, ADHD is not just a childhood disorder. The […]
