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Emotional disorders specific to childhood: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
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Emotional disorders specific to childhood - an exaggeration of the normal tendencies of the child's development process, manifested by pronounced anxiety or fear only in certain situations, are characteristic of infancy, preschool and primary school age and disappear with adulthood.
Epidemiology
Emotional disorders with onset specific to childhood are one of the most common forms of pathology. There is no precise data on their prevalence, since not all children are observed by psychiatrists.
ICD-10 code
- F93.0 Separation anxiety disorder of childhood.
- F93.1 Phobic anxiety disorder of childhood.
- F93.2 Social anxiety disorder.
- F93.3 Sibling rivalry disorder.
- F93.8 Other emotional disorders of childhood.
- F93.9 Emotional disorder of childhood, unspecified.
Causes and pathogenesis
In child psychiatry, a differentiation is traditionally made between emotional disorders specific to childhood and the type of neurotic disorders of adulthood (F40-F49 according to ICD-10). It is suggested that the mechanism of their development is different, although the reliability of this distinction has not been determined. Predisposing factors are the child's character traits, manifested in excessive sensitivity to everyday stressors.
Symptoms
The clinical picture mainly depends on the nature of the stress factor and the child's characteristics. Social and family environment factors play a significant role in the development of the clinical picture of the disorder.
Diagnostics
Appropriateness to the child's developmental stages is the main diagnostic feature for distinguishing between emotional disorders, which usually begin in childhood and adolescence, and neurotic disorders.
Treatment and prognosis
The prognosis is favorable. Mild manifestations may pass over time without treatment. In the case of severe emotional disorders, a tendency to a long-term course, there is a need for psychotherapeutic measures and drug therapy. These cases require additional consultation with a psychiatrist and medical psychologist.
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