About this Research Topic
Severe mental illnesses in children, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and intractable anxiety disorders, represent a critical area of concern within child and adolescent psychiatry. These conditions not only disrupt the lives of the affected children but also pose significant challenges for families, educators, and healthcare providers. Additionally, the presence of neuropsychological impairments and chronic pain further complicates these conditions, exacerbating their impact and complicating treatment approaches. This Research Topic aims to deepen our understanding of severe mental illnesses in children by exploring their developmental trajectories, underlying mechanisms, and effective therapeutic interventions.
Although the prevalence of severe mental illnesses in children is lower compared to adults, their impact can be devastating. Neuropsychological impairments and chronic pain often co-occur with these psychiatric conditions, adding layers of complexity to diagnosis and treatment. Early differential diagnosis, comprehensive treatment plans, and supportive care are essential to improving outcomes and life trajectories for these young individuals. Through this collection of research, we aim to bring together insights from various disciplines to create a holistic understanding of these complex conditions.
This Research Topic aims to:
- Focus on the initial indicators and symptoms of severe mental illnesses in children, including neuropsychological impairments and chronic pain;
- Investigate the underlying contributory factors that predispose children to these conditions;
- Create and validating age-appropriate screening and diagnostic tools, including laboratory tests, that specifically address neuropsychological impairment and chronic pain in pediatric populations;
- Explore the onset and progression of severe mental illnesses from childhood into adolescence.
Topic Editor Elena Monarch is the owner of the Lyme and PANS treatment Center in Hingham, MA. The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic subject .
Although the prevalence of severe mental illnesses in children is lower compared to adults, their impact can be devastating. Neuropsychological impairments and chronic pain often co-occur with these psychiatric conditions, adding layers of complexity to diagnosis and treatment. Early differential diagnosis, comprehensive treatment plans, and supportive care are essential to improving outcomes and life trajectories for these young individuals. Through this collection of research, we aim to bring together insights from various disciplines to create a holistic understanding of these complex conditions.
This Research Topic aims to:
- Focus on the initial indicators and symptoms of severe mental illnesses in children, including neuropsychological impairments and chronic pain;
- Investigate the underlying contributory factors that predispose children to these conditions;
- Create and validating age-appropriate screening and diagnostic tools, including laboratory tests, that specifically address neuropsychological impairment and chronic pain in pediatric populations;
- Explore the onset and progression of severe mental illnesses from childhood into adolescence.
Topic Editor Elena Monarch is the owner of the Lyme and PANS treatment Center in Hingham, MA. The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic subject .
Keywords: schizophrenia, psychiatric disorders, mood disorders, developmental trajectory
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