Young people are especially at risk of depression, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, phobias, and substance abuse. Some mental illnesses, such as depression, can occur in young children too young to effectively communicate their pain. Other forms of mental illness that appear in childhood or adolescence are severe emotional disorders or behavior disorders. As many as one in five Missouri children may have an emotional or behaviorial disorder, ranging from barely noticeable to disruptive to their education, development, and family life. The causes of mental illness are varied, but most are caused by imbalances in the brain's chemistry, by a head injury, or by emotional trauma.
Some mental illnesses are more prevalent in some families, suggesting a hereditary link.
Mental illnesses are not signs of weak character, immorality, or punishment for sins. Back to Top Warning Signs Parents and educators are the most likely to detect a mental illness or emotional disorder because of their constant contact with children. In other words, a fear that causes them to act irrationally or in a dangerous manner. The first step is to determine what is causing a youngster's unusual behavior. There are many possible causes, including physical problems.