Mental Disorders in Children
Psychiatry is the branch of medicine that specialises in mental health. Mental disorders in child and adolescents are quite common, occurring in up to one quarter of this age group. They often go unrecognised and can be assumed to represent a badly behaved child or just a difficult teenager.
The most common disorders of child and adolescents are anxiety disorders, depression, and attention deficit disorder (ADHD). Although less common, developmental disorders and psychotic disorders in child and adolescence can have a lifelong impact on the young person and his/her family.
The aim is to help you find ways to deal and cope with your difficulties so as to achieve a more contented, fulfilled and happy life for each young person and their family.
Dr. Nina Marie Devlin
Dr. Nina Marie Devlin is a practising child and adolescent psychiatrist with over 24 years experience as a medical doctor and fully trained family doctor.
She incorporates an integrative and holistic approach to her work practice, addressing various aspects of health including medical fitness, healthy lifestyle, diet, mindfulness and exercise along with mental health.
Dr. Devlin works with both parents and young person (5-25 years of age) individually and/or together with their parents, to help them recover and overcome whatever problems they face, to improve their quality of life and achieve their full potential.
Common Treatment Areas
Whatever your problem may be, we will try to help. Some of the more common areas that Dr. Nina Marie works with are:
- Anxiety, panic, and OCD.
- Stress related illness, including exam stress or bullying
- Depression
- Neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADD and ADHD
- Grief reactions and post traumatic stress disorder
- Psychosis and related disorders
- Emerging eating disorders
The name ‘Anam’ refers to a child as a “gift” or “blessing” in certain Eastern cultures. In early Celtic tradition ‘Anam’ symbolises the “spirit” or “soul”. ‘Anam Cara’ was originally someone to whom you could share your mind and heart, a person who acted as a companion or guide. John O Donohue mentions in his book of the same name that finding ‘Anam Cara’ translates as “feeling understood and belonging, with no limitations on time or space.”Mahatma Gandhi