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From behavioral concerns to diagnostic clarity — age-appropriate evaluation and treatment
Child and adolescent mental health disorders affect 10–20% of young people globally, yet most conditions are under-diagnosed until adolescence or adulthood. At Dr. Ruja's clinic, assessment integrates developmental history, school functioning, family dynamics, peer relationships, and collateral information from caregivers and teachers. Treatment modalities are adapted to developmental stage: play therapy and parent management training for young children; CBT and family therapy for adolescents; and careful pharmacotherapy when evidence supports it.
Kathmandu Neurology Clinic & Cognitive Center
Authored and reviewed by Dr. Ruja Shrestha (MBBS, MD (Psychiatry), NMC 19766). Evidence-based, no fabricated outcomes.
Child and adolescent mental health disorders affect 10–20% of young people globally, yet most conditions are under-diagnosed until adolescence or adulthood. At Dr. Ruja's clinic, assessment integrates developmental history, school functioning, family dynamics, peer relationships, and collateral information from caregivers and teachers. Treatment modalities are adapted to developmental stage: play therapy and parent management training for young children; CBT and family therapy for adolescents; and careful pharmacotherapy when evidence supports it.
Reviewed by Dr. Ruja Shrestha, MBBS, MD — Consultant Psychiatrist & CBT Therapist (NMC 19766), Kathmandu Neurology Clinic. For evaluation, book an appointment.
Child psychiatry requires a developmental lens: behavior must be interpreted relative to age expectations, not adult norms. The clinic uses structured developmental history (milestones, temperament, attachment), validated screening tools (SDQ, SCARED, PHQ-A), and collateral from school and home. Common presentations include anxiety, ADHD, depression, conduct difficulties, autism spectrum features, and emerging personality pathology. Differential diagnosis considers medical causes (sleep disorders, thyroid, seizures), learning disabilities, and family stressors.
Young children (under 8): parent-focused interventions, behavioral parent training, play-based therapy, environmental modification. School-age (8–12): individual CBT with concrete, skill-based approach; family therapy for communication patterns. Adolescents (13+): motivational interviewing for engagement, individual CBT, dialectical behavior therapy skills for emotion dysregulation, and careful pharmacotherapy with monitoring. Family involvement is critical at all ages — the child exists within a system.
Guidelines referenced:
NICE CG28 — Depression in children and young people: identification and managementPliszka S et al. AACAP Practice Parameter for the Treatment of Children and Adolescents with ADHDWeisz JR, Kazdin AE. Evidence-Based Psychotherapies for Children and Adolescents, 3rd Edition. Guilford PressContent on this website is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a substitute for evaluation by a qualified healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified provider with any questions regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website. In case of a medical emergency, contact emergency services immediately. No doctor–patient relationship is established by use of this site or by contacting the clinic through the site.