Persistent boredom, difficulty concentrating, or a decline in the quality of schoolwork. Frequent complaints about physical symptoms, often related to emotions, such as stomachaches, headaches, fatigue, etc. Loss of interest in pleasurable activities. Not tolerating praise or rewards. Become suddenly cheerful after a period of depression.
People often feel uncomfortable talking about death.
However, asking the child or adolescent whether he or she is depressed or thinking about suicide can be helpful. With support from family and professional treatment, children and teenagers who are suicidal can heal and return to a more healthy path of development. In addition, two psychiatric eating disorders, anorexia nervosa and bulimia, are on the increase among teenage girls and young women. These two disorders also occur in boys, but much less often. The child and adolescent psychiatrist is trained to evaluate, diagnose, and treat these psychiatric disorders which are characterized by a preoccupation with food.