These are some common psychological difficulties that  many individuals first begin to struggle with in childhood. Many of these persist into adulthood but frequently respond well to psychotherapeutic interventions. They are briefly described here but not meant to be used as a diagnostic tool.

Childhood  Disorders

Separation Anxiety Disorder - excessive anxiety concerning separation from home or from those to whom the individual is attached.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - persistent ideas, thoughts, impulses, or images that are experienced as inappropriate or intrusive and that cause anxiety and distress. The content of the obsessive thoughts is often perceived as shameful or abhorrent. Compulsions are thoughts or behaviors that are perceived to be the only way to reduce the anxiety associated with the obsessive thoughts and can be quite distressing in and of themselves.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity typically causing difficulty in school, home, and other settings.

 Autism - varying widely in severity, the symptoms may include difficulty with social interaction, communication; and repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder - defiant behavior including frequent loss of temper, arguing, defying rules or refusing to comply, becoming easily annoyed by others yet often deliberately annoying others; angry and resentful. 

Sleep Disorder - due to anxiety associated with being alone, being afraid of the dark, or a variety of other concerns, many kids end up in their parents’ bed, often causing sleep disruption to multiple members of the household.