Child and adolescent mental health
बच्चों और किशोरों का मानसिक स्वास्थ्य
Children show distress differently from adults — through behaviour, school performance, sleep, appetite or physical complaints.
Early help prevents problems from growing and supports the whole family.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Kuldeep Budania, MBBS, MD Psychiatry
Common symptoms
- Hyperactivity, poor attention, impulsivity
- Delayed speech, poor eye contact, repetitive behaviour
- Learning difficulty despite effort
- Anger, defiance, aggression
- School refusal, fears, stomach-aches before school
- Sadness, withdrawal, self-harm in teenagers
- Bed-wetting, tics, stammering
Causes
- Neurodevelopmental conditions (ADHD, autism, learning disorders)
- Family stress, conflict, bullying, academic pressure
- Excess screen time and poor sleep
Risk factors
- Developmental delays, learning difficulties or chronic illness
- Family conflict, harsh discipline, bullying or screen overuse
- Mental illness or substance use in a parent
How it is diagnosed
- Meeting the child and parents separately and together
- School reports and teacher observations
- Developmental history and, when needed, IQ or learning assessment by a psychologist
Treatment options
- 1Assessment with parents (and teachers' reports when useful)
- 2Parent training and behaviour management
- 3Child-friendly therapy
- 4Medicines only when clearly needed, at careful doses
- 5School guidance and referrals (speech, occupational therapy, special education)
Psychotherapy and counselling
- Parent training in positive discipline and routines
- Child-friendly CBT, play-based techniques and school coordination
Guidance for family
- Notice and praise good behaviour more often than you correct mistakes
- Keep predictable routines for sleep, study, play and screens
- Both parents should follow the same rules
When to see a psychiatrist
- Problems at both home and school
- Delayed milestones or speech
- Any talk of self-harm in a teenager — urgent
Thoughts of self-harm or a medical emergency? Call Tele-MANAS 14416 (24×7, free) or 112.
Frequently asked questions
Will my child be labelled?
No. Assessment is confidential and aims to help, not label.
Can children be seen online?
Yes, with a parent present. Some conditions may need an in-person evaluation later.
Are medicines safe for children?
When needed, carefully chosen medicines are safe with monitoring. Many children improve without medicines.
Help is available — confidential, in Hindi or English.
Private video consultation from anywhere in India with an Ajmer-based psychiatrist. Psychiatry consultation ₹500.
This page is for education and does not replace a personal consultation. Do not start or stop any medicine without a doctor's advice.