Child & Adolescent Emotional Disorders

The Psychologists at McNally Psychology can help children and adolescents suffering from a variety of emotional disorders.

Children can develop mental health conditions like adults, however sometimes their symptoms present differently. It’s important to understand what to look out for so you can get your child the help they need. Some warning signs that might suggest your child is experiencing mental health difficulties include changes in mood, such as frequent intense emotions, changes in behaviors or personality, difficulty concentrating, variations in eating or sleeping patterns, and use of unhealthy or risky behaviors to cope with emotions, such as substance use or physical harm.

Anxiety in children and teens may look like persistent fear or worries that interfere with their ability to perform in school, participate in age-appropriate activities, or socialize with their peers. 

Feelings of sadness, loss of interest, low self-esteem, tearfulness, sleep difficulty, change in appetite, mood swings, and thoughts of death or dying are some signs your child could be struggling with a mood disorder. 

Moreover, preoccupation with food and body paired with unhealthy weight control behaviors (e.g., restricting intake of food, emotional eating, binging, over exercising, self-induced vomiting) can be signs your child is engaging in disordered eating, which may or may not meet criteria for an eating disorder such as Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, or Binge-Eating Disorder.

At McNally Psychology, we have experience in treating child and adolescent emotional issues. We gently explore the nature of your child’s distress through creative outlets. Utilizing evidence-based methods, we work with clients to enhance their emotional awareness, increase their understanding of how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors impact one another, and help them identify and practice healthy coping skills. Call us today to set up an appointment for your child.