Physical and psychological damage to our offspring
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BAYER. UNTERMAIN (fb / ln). No friends, loneliness and social isolation. What is already a real challenge for adults in times of the Corona crisis, depresses our offspring even more. Thousands of children and young people have been suffering from the consequences of the lockdown since the outbreak of the pandemic. And: The psychological problems increasingly lead to physical pain. But: How can you counteract this? In PrimaSonntag an affected mother, paediatricians and psychologists talk about the dramatic consequences for our youngest children.
Jana H. from the Aschaffenburg district is a small family that has already experienced these problems first hand. It all started when three-year-old Lena had been complaining of stomach ache for a long time, whereupon Mama Jana took her to the pediatrician. “At first I didn’t know how serious it was, but because she complained about it almost every day, I was really worried,” says the 27-year-old. The pediatrician quickly asked whether Lena was currently going to daycare. “Of course, I also noticed that my child was not leaving the daycare facility without a trace! She has been at home for almost two months and is like a different person, doesn’t even know what to do with her energy, ”says Jana. A situation that caused increasing problems for the 27-year-old and her partner: “My first thought was: It can’t be that you have to take your three-year-old child to a psychiatrist because it is damaged,” she says.
Contact withdrawal as a reason for stomach pain?
On the advice of the pediatrician, Mama Jana then contacted the management of the kindergarten: “The daycare center reacted very understandingly, now Lena goes to care at least twice a week, where she can finally play with other children again!” : “When I asked Lena how it was, she said, ‘Mom, it was just beautiful!’. The young mother suddenly realized: “All of this showed me how important playing and contact with the other children are. Because since then Lena has not complained of stomach ache that often – only when she was not in daycare, ”says Jana with relief.
Study shows bad development
The fact that little Lena and her problems are by no means an isolated case is confirmed by child and adolescent psychotherapist Dr. Beate Leinberger, board member of the Federal Association of Contract Psychotherapists, or bvvp for short, State Association of Bavaria.
“The psychological consequences for children and young people due to the corona pandemic and the lockdowns that have lasted several weeks for a year are already visible. Several studies and surveys have shown that especially anxiety disorders, depressive disorders and increased suicidal thoughts and self-harming behavior as well as eating disorders have increased, “she explains when asked by PrimaSonntag. Particularly violent: “While around 15% of children and adolescents reported a low quality of life before the pandemic, it was over 40% during the pandemic (COPSY study). The increase in mental health problems among 7 to 17-year-olds doubled during the pandemic. “
“Children need social exchange!”
She sees the problems of the pandemic for children primarily in the social field. “Direct exchange, arguments and dealing with people of the same age are essential components of development in children and adolescents. The lack of experience cannot be integrated, which can permanently lead to maturation difficulties and deficits ”, says Leinberger. The consequences here can be really serious, as she states: “At the moment we can see that children and young people are increasingly withdrawing into the domestic environment. Small children have problems getting used to the nursery or kindergarten group (again) and breaking away from their parents, so they develop separation fears more often “Replacement phase” are. “Real, lively confrontation and meeting people of the same age is urgently needed due to development and the young people have been prevented from doing so for months. Self-esteem, identification and maturation problems are the result. “
Long-term consequences beyond the pandemic
The consequences of the pandemic for children could well be long-term: “Psychological stress and constant stress can lead to manifest mental illnesses that can prevent, change and negatively influence life concepts,” explains the child and adolescent psychotherapist.
Dr. med. Brigitte Dietz, who is a pediatrician herself: “The elimination of the usual structures can lead to the fact that the children can fall into a slightly depressed mood and that they can then develop physical symptoms the longer this development lasts. These are mainly sleep disorders, sometimes also eating disorders, overexcitement from PC or TV and also stomach pains, which are often signs of a depressed mood. ”If parents make these discoveries in a child, she advises to spend as much time as possible to spend with the offspring and show them appreciation. “If you realize that the child has problems, the parents should – if possible – spend a lot of time with the children, do joint activities and see that the child is perceived in the upset and dealt with. Overall, it is a very, very difficult situation that will hopefully change soon, ”said the pediatrician.
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