Every child goes through emotional ups and downs. Most pass with time, love and patience. But when mood, behaviour or thinking patterns start interfering with daily life, school or safety — and especially when medication may help alongside therapy — a pediatric psychiatrist can bring real change. Below is a plain-language guide to what parents commonly notice.
Mood
Persistent sadness, hopelessness or loss of interest
Severe anxiety, panic attacks or constant fear
Sudden shifts between high and low moods
Suicidal thoughts or talking about not wanting to live
Low mood that hasn't improved with therapy alone
Attention & focus
Trouble sitting still, waiting turns or staying focused
Impulsive actions, interrupting or risk-taking behaviour
Severe forgetfulness or losing things daily
Falling grades despite good effort
Need for formal ADHD evaluation and medication review
Behaviour
Severe tantrums, aggression or defiance
Self-harm, cutting, hair pulling or skin picking
Repetitive thoughts, rituals or OCD-like habits
Tics or involuntary sounds and movements
Oppositional defiant or conduct disorder patterns
Development
Delayed speech, limited eye contact or social difficulties
Repetitive routines or narrow interests
Sensory sensitivities with sound, light or texture
Severe meltdowns in autism needing medication support
Formal autism evaluation and treatment planning
Sleep & eating
Severe insomnia or sleep terrors not responding to routine
Eating disorders — anorexia, bulimia or binge eating
Substance use, vaping or screen addiction in teens
Trauma, PTSD or after a frightening event
Early signs of psychosis — hallucinations, severe withdrawal
You don't need a referral. If any of these signs sound familiar, or if a psychologist or pediatrician has recommended a psychiatric opinion, a confidential consultation can bring clarity and a safe treatment plan.
Why early psychiatric care matters
The teen brain is still developing, which means mental health conditions respond beautifully to early, expert care. The right combination of therapy, parent support and — when needed — safe medication can completely change a child's school life, friendships and future. Early help is strength, not failure.
What to bring to the visit
A short note of what you've been noticing at home and school, any previous assessments or school reports, past prescriptions, and recent medical reports. Sessions are confidential, judgement-free and tailored to your child's age and comfort.
From ADHD and anxiety to autism and eating disorders, our pediatric psychiatry team offers safe, evidence-based diagnosis, therapy and when needed, child-appropriate medication.
Comprehensive ADHD evaluation with behavioural therapy and safe, closely monitored medication plans that transform school life and self-esteem.
Diagnosis and treatment of childhood depression, generalised anxiety, panic disorder, phobias and separation anxiety.
Autism diagnosis and management plans including behaviour support, medication for meltdowns and family counselling.
Treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder, tic disorders and Tourette syndrome with therapy and medication.
Confidential care for teens — exam stress, eating disorders, substance use, self-harm and bipolar disorder.
Expert care for post-traumatic stress disorder, early-onset psychosis, conduct disorders and children needing a combined psychiatric and psychological approach.
From ADHD and anxiety to autism and eating disorders, our pediatric psychiatry team offers safe, evidence-based diagnosis, therapy and when needed, child-appropriate medication.
Comprehensive ADHD evaluation with behavioural therapy and safe, closely monitored medication plans that transform school life and self-esteem.
Diagnosis and treatment of childhood depression, generalised anxiety, panic disorder, phobias and separation anxiety.
Autism diagnosis and management plans including behaviour support, medication for meltdowns and family counselling.
Treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder, tic disorders and Tourette syndrome with therapy and medication.
Confidential care for teens — exam stress, eating disorders, substance use, self-harm and bipolar disorder.
Expert care for post-traumatic stress disorder, early-onset psychosis, conduct disorders and children needing a combined psychiatric and psychological approach.
Every assessment is confidential, warm and takes your child's age and comfort into account.
Detailed conversation with parent and child to understand history, symptoms and daily life.
Validated tools for ADHD, autism, IQ, mood and anxiety to support accurate diagnosis.
Blood tests, thyroid or scans to rule out physical causes before starting any medication.
With your permission, we gather teacher and caregiver observations for a complete picture.
We always combine therapy with medication only when truly needed, and never without parent discussion.
Our goal isn't a prescription. It's a child who feels understood, parents who feel supported, and a family that moves forward together — safely and sustainably.
Knowing what happens next makes the day easier for you and your child.
Book online or call us. All consultations are confidential and judgement-free — your details are safe with us.
The psychiatrist listens to your concerns, meets your child at their comfort level, and takes a full history.
If formal testing or blood work helps, we explain each step first — ADHD scales, mood assessments or thyroid tests.
You leave with a clear plan — therapy, parent strategies, medication if needed, and the next follow-up date.
A children's hospital first, where mental health is treated with the same expertise, warmth and safety as any other specialty.
Medical specialists trained in children's mental health, with expertise in therapy and safe prescribing.
Low-dose, child-appropriate medication only when needed, with close monitoring and parent involvement.
Private sessions where children and teens feel safe to share, with age-appropriate confidentiality.
Psychiatrists, psychologists, pediatricians and therapists working together on one plan.
Pediatric psychiatry at Kalyan Nagar, RT Nagar, Malleswaram and New BEL Road.
The right pediatric psychiatrist is a medical specialist trained in children's mental health who is careful with medication, patient with young patients and partners with parents. At Shishuka Children's Hospital, our team of qualified child psychiatrists works with ages 4 to 18, combining therapy and safe prescribing when needed. You can meet our team at Kalyan Nagar, RT Nagar, Malleswaram and New BEL Road.
A child psychologist provides assessment and therapy using talk, play and behavioural approaches, and does not prescribe medication. A child psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MBBS, MD Psychiatry) who diagnoses, provides therapy, and can prescribe medication for conditions like ADHD, severe anxiety, depression or psychosis. At Shishuka in Bangalore, our psychiatrists and psychologists work closely together for the best outcomes.
Yes, when prescribed by a qualified pediatric psychiatrist and closely monitored. Many psychiatric medications used for children — such as those for ADHD, severe depression or OCD — are well studied and life-changing when used correctly. At Shishuka, we start with the lowest effective dose, review regularly, watch for side effects and always combine medication with therapy. Medication is never the first or only step.
Book a pediatric psychiatrist if your child has severe or persistent symptoms, suicidal thoughts, hallucinations, severe ADHD, bipolar features, eating disorders, or if therapy alone hasn't helped. If you're unsure, start with any mental health consultation at Shishuka and we'll guide you to the right specialist, whether that's a psychologist, psychiatrist or both.
5AC 938, Ring Road, Service Road, Kalyan nagar, HRBR Layout, Banaswadi, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560043
