Can mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and psychotic disorders happen at very young ages, around toddlers, or are they disorders formed later on in life?

With the many different types of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and psychotic disorders its hard to pinpoint when each disorder forms. However, researchers have found average ages when each disorder usually, but not always, start. For example, while major depressive disorder can develop at any age, the average age when this disorder forms is in the mid-20's. Anxiety disorders are also found in more adults than children, however one in eight children are affected by anxiety disorders. Obsessive-compulsive disorder, an anxiety disorder frequently found in children, has an average diagnoses age of around ten but the disorder can strike children as young as two or three. Psychotic disorders can also happen at young ages but young adults are the most common age group to be at risk. In some uncommon cases, kids as young as six years old have experienced their first episode of psychosis. Overall, all three major types of disorders are more commonly formed in adults but can start at very young ages. Many of the disorders children form develop in the elementary school years. With early detection and early intervention kids that develop these disorders can go on to live normal and happy lives!

Sources:

"Childhood Anxiety Disorders | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA." Childhood Anxiety Disorders | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Sept. 2013. <http://www.adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/children/childhood-anxiety-disorders>.

"Mood Disorders." Mood Disorders. Wexner Medical Center, n.d. Web. 12 Sept. 2013. <http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcare_services/mental_health/mental_health_about/mood/Pages/index.aspx>.

"NAMI - The National Alliance on Mental Illness." NAMI. National Alliance on Mental Illness, n.d. Web. 12 Sept. 2013. <http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=First_Episode>.