KIDS
Picture a 4-year-old girl with a child-sized stethoscope in one sticky hand and a stuffed Pooh Bear in the other. And she’s screaming. I do not know why I screamed or had tantrums. I was a “problem child,” but I prefer spunky. My childhood was not a roller coaster, it was the entire theme park. I swirled dizzily on the Teacups one day and floating on the Lazy River the next. But on others, I was butting heads on the Bumper Cars and then I would get on the Big Drop. That’s when I screamed. My parents knew my rides. More importantly, how to get me off them. My dad hauled me kicking and screaming to my room, sat me down, put a marker in my hand, and closed the door. I huffed and puffed and then I drew. It calmed me. As my tantrums turned to rage and depression, drawing calmed me then too. Before I had therapy, before the medication regime grew, I had markers and paper. Before I had medication and doctor’s appointments, I had art.
Child mental health refers to the emotional, psychological, and social well-being of children and adolescents. It encompasses a wide range of issues and conditions that affect their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It's important to note that mental health conditions in children often have unique manifestations compared to adults, and early intervention and appropriate support are crucial for effective management.
"Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder I " 2024, 10" x 10" ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. In 1798, a Scottish doctor, Sir Alexander Crichton, noticed some people were easily distracted and unable to focus on their activities the way others could. He reported that these symptoms began early in life. It would not be until centuries later in 1968 that ADHD would be recognized as an official diagnosis with the publishing of the second edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-2). Usually, it is first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors, or being overly active. In many cases, it is treated with a combination of behavior therapy and medication management. NFS
"Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder" 2023, 10" x 10" OCD can affect individuals of all ages, including children. OCD is a mental health condition characterized by the presence of obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are intrusive, distressing, and persistent thoughts, images, or urges, while compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed in response to the obsessions to reduce distress or prevent a feared event. In children, OCD may manifest differently than in adults, and it can sometimes be challenging to recognize because children may not always be able to articulate their experiences. Medication can be a valuable part of treatment, especially when the symptoms are severe, significantly impair the child's functioning, or do not respond adequately to therapy alone. It's important to note that medication is not a replacement for therapy and other non-pharmacological treatments and should not be the first line of treatment. $1200
"Oppositional Defiant Disorder I" 2023, 10" x 10" ODD is a type of behavior disorder mostly diagnosed in childhood. Children with ODD are often found to be uncooperative, defiant, and hostile toward peers, parents, teachers, and other authority figures. The diagnosis first appeared in DSM III (1980) as Oppositional disorder, and then ODD replaced it in the DSM III-R (1987). Behavioral and psychosocial interventions should be the first option. When psychosocial interventions are ineffective or the patients are persistently uncooperative, pharmacotherapy may be considered. $1200
"Major Depressive Disorder" 2023, 9" x 10" MDD in children is a mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest or pleasure in activities. It is important to note that depression in children may manifest differently than in adults, making it challenging to identify. For immediate help call 988 (suicide hotline) or 911 if you suspect a child is at risk for harming themselves. $1200
"Oppositional Defiant Disorder II" 2023, 10" x 8" ODD is a type of behavior disorder mostly diagnosed in childhood. Children with ODD are often found to be uncooperative, defiant, and hostile toward peers, parents, teachers, and other authority figures. The diagnosis first appeared in DSM III (1980) as Oppositional disorder, and then ODD replaced it in the DSM III-R (1987). Behavioral and psychosocial interventions should be the first option. When psychosocial interventions are ineffective or the patients are persistently uncooperative, pharmacotherapy may be considered. $1200
"Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder II " 2023, 10" x 10" ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. In 1798, a Scottish doctor, Sir Alexander Crichton, noticed some people were easily distracted and unable to focus on their activities the way others could. He reported that these symptoms began early in life. It would not be until centuries later in 1968 that ADHD would be recognized as an official diagnosis with the publishing of the second edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-2). Usually it is first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors, or being overly active. In many cases it is treated with a combination of behavior therapy and medication management. $1200
"Generalized Anxiety Disorder" 2023, 10" x 10" GAD or commonly known as "anxiety" afflicts nearly 10% of children. Some common symptoms among the many include poor sleep, restlessness, and excessive worrying. Pharmacological intervention in children was increasingly common especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. All children and teens have some anxiety. But sometimes worries and fears don’t go away. They may interfere with their normal activities. $1200
"Five-Year-Old Woman" 2023, 10" x 9" As a child, I was called an “old soul.” What should be taken as a compliment instead became known to me as a nice way of saying I didn’t have friends growing up. As a child with a budding mental illness, I often felt I had to have a sense of maturity beyond my time. As adults, we old souls seek to find that childhood innocence within. $900