Childhood is often thought of as being one of the happiest times in a person's life. A time where a carefree attitude and a worry-less life provide the environment in which a child grows and develops. For many children, however, this isn't always the case.

Research shows that 12 million American children suffer from some type of mental illness. It also shows that fewer than one in five receive the treatment they need to recover from their illness. When we think about topics such as depression or anxiety, we don't normally think of them as including young people. Most adults don't consider that emotional problems may effect a child, too. The reality is that children today deal with emotional issues and stress, the same as adults. Understandably, they often have a more difficult time handling and overcoming painful emotions and situations.

What types of illnesses effect children? Remarkably, children deal with some of the same types of disorders that adults do.

• Depression, once thought of as strictly an "adult" illness, affects 3 to 6 million children in America. Depression in children has many of the same symptoms as it does in adults: sadness, helplessness, fatigue and low self-esteem. Recognizing depression in children, however, is sometimes difficult. One of the problems often encountered is the inability of a child to accurately express how he or she feels. A young child may not understand the concept of "helplessness" and therefore cannot explain it to an adult. This appears to be a major reason why so many children who suffer from depression go untreated. For those who do receive the needed treatment, therapy is essential. Therapy treatment teaches a child to express feelings and learn to adapt to and cope with environmental stresses.

• Attention-deficit disorder (ADD) affects from 3 to 10 percent of all children in America. This condition is sometimes referred to as hyperactivity, minimal brain dysfunction, minimal brain damage and hyperkinetic syndrome. ADD is a child's inability to concentrate, learn and maintain a normal level of activity. With the disorder, a child usually requires close and constant supervision, is excessively active, and has difficulty finishing any activity requiring concentration. The disorder often appears before the age of seven and is more prominent in boys than in girls. Treatment for the child with ADD can include medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. Between 70 and 80 percent of children who suffer from ADD respond to treatment and learn to better control his or her own behavior.

• Nearly all children have certain fears at different stages of their development. Fear of monsters, the bogeyman or strangers are certainly not uncommon. Normally, a child merely outgrows these fears. Sometimes, though, fears may persist and develop, interfering with a child's normal schedule. These fears may be simple phobias; fear of certain people, places or things, and may subside without any type of treatment. More often than not, children with childhood phobias do not receive treatment for their fears. It is important to consider, however, that treatment may be required if the fear persists or accelerates. Treatment for childhood phobias is comparable to that of adult phobias. The child is treated with behavioral therapy in which they are exposed to the feared object and must learn to overcome their anxieties and manage their fears. The phobia generally disappears or decreases so that it no longer interferes with the child's daily activities.

• Being separated from a parent may be a traumatic time for a child, especially if he or she is not old enough to understand the circumstances of the separation. It is usually overcome when the child's attention is diverted or he or she adapt to the surroundings. For some children, the anxiety of being away from a parent or loved one is too overwhelming to comprehend, and causes severe emotional stress. Separation anxiety disorder is diagnosed when a child develops a severe anxiety, almost to the point of panic, when he or she is separated from a parent or loved one. This anxiety is so intense that it interferes greatly with the everyday activities of the child. Separation anxiety disorder may cause a child to feel faint, be nauseated, or develop headaches. Children suffering from separation anxiety disorder are often afraid to visit or sleep at a friend's house, go to school, or even leave the house unless accompanied by a parent. Therapy and medication are two methods of treatment which usually allow the child to overcome or cope with the separation.

• By far the most common single group of psychiatric illnesses in American children is conduct disorders. Many people confuse a child with a conduct disorder with simply being rebellious or being a juvenile delinquent. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Studies suggest that a child with a conduct disorder often has underlying problems that have not been diagnosed. The disorder may result from a child's attempt to cope with his or her hostile environment or from a chemical imbalance in a child's biological structure. Research does indicate that children that have parents who suffer from the same problems are more vulnerable to develop a conduct disorder. Conduct disorders do not go away without proper intervention and appropriate treatment. Treatment is generally geared toward making the child realize and understand the effects of their behavior. For children suffering from an attention deficit disorder or depression in addition to the conduct disorder, medication may be required.

Not all children who are a bit unruly, who don't listen or who don't pay attention suffer from a disorder mentioned here. Being a child today is no easy task, and each child has his or her individual way of dealing with situations. Parenting today presents its challenges, too. It is important for a parent not to overlook a potential problem. Situations, especially prolonged or recurring, may indicate that there is more present than meets the eye.

Often, a child needs to discuss the problems or issues he or she is coping with as much as an adult does. CAPS: Children and Adolescents with Problems is a support group offered at The Acadia Hospital for individuals aged 12 to 18. This group is not designed to provide therapy or a solution to a child's problems. Rather, this group provides support, encouragement and feedback on issues facing children and their parents today. Group meetings are every Friday at 7 PM.

Making your child's life completely happy and carefree isn't always a realistic thought. Especially since the pressures and issues facing today's child are different from those that you faced as a child. Not every child has one of the childhood disorders mentioned, but it would not be accurate to say that they don't exist. Perhaps the acknowledgement, understanding and treatment of these childhood disorders will help make the growing process of every child an easier one.

To learn more about childhood mental health, check out our Healthy Living Library for links to additional resources on the world wide web.