Have you ever heard about psychological disorders in children? Well, children do develop the same mental health conditions as adults, but their symptoms may vary. Seeing your children with abnormal feelings, behaviors, and thoughts is very distressing.
Psychological disorders are sometimes used to refer as mental or psychiatric disorders. They are patterns of psychological and behavioral symptoms that affect different areas of life. These disorders cause distress for the children experiencing their symptoms.
Psychological disorders are sometimes used to refer as mental or psychiatric disorders. They are patterns of psychological and behavioral symptoms that affect different areas of life. These disorders cause distress for the children experiencing their symptoms.
Symptoms Of Psychological Disorders In Children
Warning signs that a child may have a Psychological disorder include:
Avoiding or withdrawing from social interactions
Sadness for two or more weeks
Hurting oneself or talking about doing so
Extreme irritability or outbursts
Talking about suicide or death
Out-of-control behavior that may be dangerous
Changes in their eating habits
Drastic changes in behavior, mood or personality
Loss of weight
Frequent stomachaches or headaches
Difficulty sleeping
Difficulty concentrating
Avoiding or missing school
Changes in their academic performance
Causes Of Psychological Disorders In Children
The exact cause of Psychological disorders is unknown, but research suggests that certain factors might be involved:
Biology: Some of the mental disorders in children are linked with the chemicals in their brain called neurotransmitters, which help the nerve cells to communicate with each other. If these chemicals are not working correctly or are out of balance, the messages may not be conveyed through the brain appropriately, leading to symptoms. Moreover, injury or defects in some brain regions are also linked to some psychological illnesses.
Genetics: These disorders tend to run in families. It means such mental disorders may be passed from parents to their offspring.
Environmental stress: Traumatic or stressful events may trigger a psychological illness in children with a vulnerability to a psychological disorder.
Psychological trauma: Some psychological disorders can be triggered by trauma, such as severe emotional or sexual abuse, neglect and loss of a parent.
Types Of Childhood Disorders
Anxiety disorders: Anxiety disorders in children means persistent anxiety, worries or fears that disrupt their ability to participate in school, play or social situations of typical age. Diagnoses include generalized anxiety, social anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders.
Autism spectrum disorder: It is a neurological condition that appears in early childhood, mainly before age 3. Although the severity of this disorder varies, children with this disorder have difficulty interacting and communicating with others.
Attention-deficit disorder: Compared with children of the same age, a child with this disorder has difficulty with impulsive behaviors, attention, hyperactivity or a combination of these problems.
Depression and other mood disorders: Depression is a continual feeling of loss of interest and sadness that disrupt your child's ability to perform in school and interact with others. The bipolar disorder leads to extreme mood swings between behavioral or emotional highs and depression unprotected, unsafe or risky.
Schizophrenia: It is a disorder in thoughts and perceptions that cause an individual to lose touch with reality. It often appears in the late teens through the 20s and results in delusions, hallucinations, and disordered behaviors and thinking.
Post-traumatic stress disorder: It is prolonged anxiety, emotional distress, nightmares, distressing memories and disruptive behaviors to abuse, violence, injuries or other traumatic events.
Diagnoses Of Psychological Disorder In Children
The diagnosis might include:
Complete medical exam
History of emotional or physical trauma
Medical history
Family history of mental and physical health
Timeline of child’s developmental progress
Review of symptoms and general concerns with the parents
Academic history
Observing the child through making conversations
Interview with parents
Standardized questionnaires and assessments for parents and child
Treatment For Childhood Disorders
Common treatments for children with psychological health conditions include:
Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy is also known as behavior or talk therapy. It helps to address psychological health concerns by talking with either a psychologist or other mental health professionals. For young children, psychotherapy can include games or playtime, also talking about what happens while playing. Psychotherapy helps children learn how to talk about feelings and thoughts, respond, and acquire coping skills and new behaviors.
Medication: Sometimes, a healthcare professional recommends medication for your child. It includes antidepressants, stimulants, anti-anxiety medicines, mood stabilizers or antipsychotics. The doctor will also explain the side effects, risks and benefits of those medications.
Psychological disorders in children is not a new concept. If the symptoms are recognized, and the treatment is started earliest, the psychological disorders may be minimized or prevented. So, if any of your children are psychologically ill, do not wait; book an appointment with a psychiatrist in Karachi.
