The first full week of May was Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week. In honor of this week, we’ve compiled some blog posts and research that address the unique mental health issues that children face. These five titles are our most-visited stories about children’s mental health over the past year.

Preventing Anxiety in Children of Parents with Anxiety

An estimated 18 percent of adults experience anxiety disorders, and children of parents with anxiety are more likely to develop anxiety disorders. New research offers the possibility of preventing this in high-risk group of children.

Children Taking ADHD Medications May Have Decreased Bone Density

Youth who are taking medications prescribed for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) exhibit significantly diminished bone mineral density compared with those who are not taking the medications. About 25 percent of medicated children met criteria for osteopenia, a condition characterized by lower than normal bone density.

ADHD Diagnoses Climb Across Racial/Ethnic Groups

As the number of U.S. youth diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) continues to rise, a recent study has revealed that the prevalence is climbing faster in some groups of children than in others. ADHD prevalence remains highest among white children, but increasing trends were observed for all racial/ethnic groups, most notably among Hispanic children.

Young Transgender Children with Family Support Show No Rise in Depression

Young children who identify as transgender and are supported by their families are no more likely to have symptoms of depression and only marginally elevated levels of anxiety than nontransgender children in the same age range. Anxiety symptoms were only slightly above national averages but still lower than preclinical or clinical thresholds.

Acquired Mutations Link Congenital Heart Disease, Neurodevelopmental Disorders

About 20 percent of children with severe congenital heart disease (CHD) have an excess of mutations that are also commonly found in children with developmental problems, such as autism. While an excess number of these harmful mutations were found in only 2 percent of patients who had isolated CHD, the prevalence rose in children with more complications.

Learn about common mental disorders, including symptoms, risk factors and treatment options.

Source: https://www.psychiatry.org