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PSYCHIATRY
Adolescents
Treatment & Support
When your child is facing mental health challenges, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. The truth is, struggles like these are more common among kids and teens than many people realize. With the right care and support, your child can find relief and begin to thrive.
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ATTENTION-DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER
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CHILD & ADOLESENCE
Understanding mental
health in children and adolescents
What is child and adolescent psychiatry?
Around 14% of teenagers worldwide experience mental health difficulties. Child and adolescent psychiatry focuses on helping children and young people with these challenges. These doctors undergo years of additional training beyond medical school, learning how young minds work and what treatments are most effective.
Child psychiatrists know that mental health looks different in young people than adults. They understand how family life, past experiences, and development affect a child's wellbeing, helping them find treatments that genuinely work.
How can a psychiatrist help?
When your child is having a difficult time with their mental health, reaching out to a psychiatrist shows how much you care. Child psychiatrists don't just look at symptoms - they consider how mental health affects your child's friendships, school life, and emotional growth.
Many children and teenagers really do get better with the right help. Getting support early can make a huge difference and stop problems getting worse. Your psychiatrist will work with your family to create a plan that might include therapy, medication if helpful, or practical approaches for home and school.
Diagnosis for adolescent mental health disorders
The process starts with some questions and a chat to understand what's been going on with your child. Your psychiatrist will then look more deeply at your child's background, development, and how they're getting on at home and school.
Using their expertise and professional guidelines, they'll work out whether your child has a particular mental health condition. Getting a diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but many families find it brings relief and clarity - often the first step towards getting the right help.
ATTENTION-DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER
Symptoms of mental health concerns
in Children & Young People
Physical symptoms of mental health problems
Mental health difficulties in children and young people often show up through physical symptoms that might not seem obviously connected to emotional wellbeing. You might notice changes in sleep patterns - either sleeping much more than usual or struggling to fall asleep and stay asleep. Appetite changes are also common, with some children eating significantly more or less than normal.
Other physical signs include frequent headaches or stomach aches without a clear medical cause, appearing tired or lacking energy even after adequate rest, and complaints of feeling generally unwell. Some children may also experience increased restlessness, fidgeting, or conversely, moving and speaking more slowly than usual. These physical symptoms can be particularly confusing because they often occur before emotional symptoms become apparent.
Emotional and mental symptoms
Emotional and mental health symptoms in children can vary significantly depending on their age and personality, but there are common patterns to watch for. You might notice persistent sadness, increased irritability, or mood swings that seem more intense or frequent than typical childhood emotions. Many children experience heightened anxiety about everyday situations, school, or separation from parents.
Changes in thinking patterns are also important indicators - difficulty concentrating at school, problems with memory, or expressing thoughts that seem unusually negative or hopeless. Some children become more withdrawn, losing interest in activities they previously enjoyed, whilst others might become clingy or develop new fears. Behavioural changes like increased aggression, defiance, or regression to earlier developmental stages can also signal mental health difficulties.
When to seek help
Trust your instincts as a parent - if you're genuinely concerned about changes in your child's behaviour, mood, or functioning, it's worth seeking professional guidance. Consider getting help when symptoms persist for several weeks, are significantly impacting your child's daily life, school performance, or relationships with family and friends.
Seek immediate professional support if your child expresses thoughts of self-harm, talks about wanting to die, or engages in concerning behaviours that could be dangerous. It's also important to get help if your child's symptoms are causing significant distress to them or your family, or if you feel unable to support them effectively on your own. Remember, seeking help early often leads to better outcomes, and there's no shame in asking for professional support when your child needs it.
CHILD & ADOLESENCE
Common types of mental health
disorders in children & young people
Anxiety
Anxiety disorders in children encompass several conditions including generalised anxiety, social anxiety, separation anxiety, panic disorder, and specific phobias. These involve overwhelming fear, worry, or nervousness that significantly disrupts a child's daily activities and routines.
Whilst occasional worries are perfectly normal in childhood, children with anxiety disorders experience persistent concerns that feel unmanageable. You might notice excessive clinginess, constant restlessness, difficulty sleeping, or frequent physical complaints like stomach aches or headaches that don't have a clear medical cause. These symptoms often interfere with school attendance, friendships, and family activities.
ADHD
ADHD impacts a child's ability to focus, control impulses, and manage their activity levels appropriately for their age. Symptoms typically become noticeable before age 12, though they can be observed in children as young as three years old.
Teachers often notice the signs first, as symptoms frequently present as behavioural challenges in classroom settings. ADHD can manifest in different ways - some children are primarily hyperactive and impulsive, others struggle mainly with attention and focus, whilst many experience both types of difficulties. The condition affects children of all genders, though it may present differently in boys and girls.
Depression
Depression in children is more than temporary sadness or disappointment. It involves persistent feelings of hopelessness, emptiness, or despair that continue for weeks or months. Children may lose interest in activities they previously enjoyed, experience significant changes in sleep patterns or appetite, and find it difficult to concentrate at school.
The presentation of depression can vary considerably between children. Some may appear visibly sad, withdrawn, or tearful, whilst others might show increased irritability, anger, or defiant behaviour. In more serious cases, children may express thoughts about death or self-harm, which always requires immediate professional attention.
CHILD & ADOLESENCE
Insight that
moves you forward.
Eliminate the stress of long commutes, waiting lists, busy offices and unfamiliar environments.
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01
Initial
Assessment
You and your child will connect with a psychiatrist via online video conference to talk about concerns, discuss their goals, and receive a comprehensive clinical diagnosis.
02
Explore their care
and treatment options
Your provider will walk you through different evidence-based treatments available to them, like cognitive behavioral therapy, medication options, or a combination of both.
03
On-going medication
management
Their provider will meet with you and the child every 4–5 weeks to review their progress, monitor how they are feeling, and discuss any needed adjustments to their medication.
04
Feel
the results
With their clinician regularly monitoring progress throughout their care, three out of four clients see major symptom improvement in less than three months.
Find the right provider for your child, as soon as tomorrow.
Feeling better starts with the right provider. We make that connection easy, helping you find industry-leading psychiatrists who fit your child's unique needs and preferences.
"The help I got from Nuvirtis has made such a difference. In just one week, I’ve felt more supported than I have in years. It finally feels like I have the right guidance and treatment to start moving forward."
David, Co.Dublin
"After months on waiting-lists, my husband’s mental health hit crisis point. Nuvirtis saw him in two days, reviewed his medication, and the impact has been life-changing. We’re incredibly thankful."
Aishling, Co. Galway
"I just had my first medication appointment with my psychiatrist Shauna after being diagnosed with ADHD and I wanted to say how lovely the experience was. She was so kind, patient, and really listened. I usually find these kinds of appointments really stressful but she made me feel completely at ease and genuinely cared for. It meant a lot.
Lucy, Co. Dublin
Frequently asked questions
What does mental health mean for children?
Mental health for children means emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing—how they think, feel, and interact. Good mental health provides tools to cope with life’s ups and downs, and sometimes professional support is needed.
What influences a chil's mental wellbeing?
Family, school, friends, community, genetics, life experiences, physical health, sleep, nutrition, and environmental factors all influence mental wellbeing. Many of these can be improved with the right support.
How can we support children's mental health?
Create safe, nurturing environments, maintain routines, encourage communication, teach coping skills, model healthy emotion expression, and ensure sleep, exercise, and limited screen time. Seek professional help when needed.
What role does mental health play during adolescence?
During adolescence, mental health is crucial for managing identity, peer pressure, academic stress, and brain development. Early support aids decision-making, emotional regulation, and prevents long-term issues.
How does mental health impact teenage development?
Good mental health helps teens build resilience, relationships, coping skills, and academic performance. Poor mental health can affect social skills, self-esteem, sleep, and risk-taking behaviors.
Why should young people prioritize mental wellbeing?
Prioritizing mental wellbeing improves life enjoyment, stress management, relationships, focus, creativity, and long-term success. Skills learned early support lifelong resilience.
What makes mental health crucial for teenagers?
Teenage brain development, social pressures, and identity formation make mental health critical. Early support through therapy, interventions, or guidance prevents long-term challenges.
Clarity is closer than you think - no referral required.
We're ready when you are - with appointments available seven days a week.
Interested in becoming a provider?
We’re hiring experienced clinicians who want to make a real impact. Join an established team dedicated to delivering high-quality care.
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