Psychological disorders in children… their signs and methods of treatment
There is no doubt that children and adolescents are also at risk of psychological disorders ranging from anxiety, depression, mood and emotional fluctuations, and psychotic episodes, which requires monitoring and early detection, and then providing appropriate support and correct treatment to ensure the prevention of chronic mental illnesses and improve the nature and quality of life.
Children’s response varies according to the situation of each case and the promptness of parents and those around them to pay attention to signs and symptoms, which ensures the provision of the necessary family support and access to an integrated treatment plan.
What are the most common psychological disorders that children may be exposed to? What are the best strategies and plans that can be used to deal with their disorders and feelings and address them in a timely and appropriate manner?
Anxiety and depression
Dr. Wafa Saud, a clinical psychologist for children and youth, explains in an interview with: “Your Health” websiteThe problems of anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, and trauma resulting from violence and stress are among the most prominent psychological disorders facing children and adolescents, with the resulting feelings of frustration and the feeling that they are outcast and exposed to various pressures. Some changes can also be observed in children’s behaviors.
The symptoms of mental disorders in children differ from those in adolescents or adults, because they are unable to express their feelings clearly.
The severity of psychological disorders varies in children (Getty)
She adds: “When a child or teenager is exposed to abuse, for example, they may exhibit some psychological and emotional symptoms, and they may have difficulty building trust in others and forming relationships in general. In addition, some of them exhibit some mood swings, as they may have seizures or emotional outbursts.” When reminded of the abuse they were exposed to, some of them avoid talking about the abuse or avoid thinking about the bad incident they were exposed to, and this can result in negative feelings turning into aggressive behavior at times.”
In addition, abuse can leave painful scars and strong emotions, which may lead some teens to use harmful substances as a way to escape these feelings or memories.
Warning symptoms of psychological disorders
Dr. Saud considers it normal for children and adolescents to experience some negative emotions during their development, but if they appear these signs, it is recommended to seek help from a doctor or psychologist.
Large and recurring emotional outbursts come at the top of the list of symptoms, in addition to the emergence of harmful emotions or behaviors toward oneself or others, lack of food intake, lack of control in performing certain behaviors or rituals frequently and taking a lot of time, constant severe anxiety about health, safety, school, or Relationships, avoiding school activities or isolating from society, difficulties learning language, reading, writing, or mathematics, problems concentrating and following instructions, ongoing difficulties making friends, difficulty coping with a negative life event – such as the death of a family member – despite It’s been a long time since that.
The necessity of monitoring the behavior of children and adolescents (Getty)
What is cognitive behavioral therapy?
According to Saud, cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of treatment widely used in psychological disorders, and is considered one of the most effective methods in treating anxiety, depression, and trauma. It is characterized by the fact that it is usually limited in time, as it is presented over a specific number of sessions.
The speaker, according to the “Sehhak” website, points to some of the main components of behavioral therapy, the most important of which is evaluation, which is considered the first and basic step to understanding the reasons and motivations behind the child or adolescent’s behavior, and identifying the root factors, which can be the basis for effective behavior change, then therapeutic behavioral intervention. Which often involves the process of teaching children and teens how to replace unhelpful behaviors with helpful ones. This is done by teaching them new behaviors and skills. The learning process should be designed to be rewarding for children and adolescents. When they see the tangible benefits of this change, such as improving their mental health, their social relationships, or their performance in school, their motivation to commit to behavioral therapy increases, and thus the chances of treatment success increase.
The doctor also touches on cooperation as an important part of the behavioral therapy she provides, integrating parents into the therapeutic program and helping them enhance their current parenting skills, and teaching them new strategies that will help their children develop healthy, positive behaviors and change negative behaviors.
The latest treatment methods
The doctor confirms that every child is a special case in itself, and has different needs and challenges. From this standpoint, very precise decisions are made about the most appropriate type of psychological treatment, based on the personal needs of the case, whether for a child or adolescent.
Saud reviews the best ways to deal with children’s psychological disorders by following a comprehensive and integrated approach based on the principle of “acceptance and commitment therapy,” which is a type of treatment that aims to provide support and assistance to children by enabling them to better deal with the difficult feelings that they may feel, and overcome them. The crises they go through, all in line with their values and goals. Treatment includes managing feelings of sadness and anxiety at school and social challenges in general.
She points to another type called “emotion-focused therapy,” which aims to help individuals understand their emotions and deal with them correctly. Emotion-focused therapy helps caregivers, such as parents, better understand and respond to their children’s feelings. Not only that, but it can help parents understand and analyze their personal feelings correctly, thus improving their dealings with their children in line with their goals.
The need for families to understand the needs and feelings of their children (Getty)
As for “Dialectical Behavioral Therapy”, it is another type of psychotherapy that aims to help individuals deal with major emotions and change negative behaviors. It is commonly used with teens to treat a variety of problems, such as aggressive behavior, relationship problems, and substance abuse. It is also used to teach teens new interpersonal skills effectively, and to develop healthy strategies for dealing with big emotions they may encounter in their daily lives.
As for violence, Saud says that treating it in children and adolescents requires first understanding the factors that influence their violent behavior, which include exposure to abuse or wars, poverty, the presence of tension in relationships between parents and children, excessive cruelty or excessive leniency in upbringing, intellectual disabilities or Educational, life pressures, frustration, drug abuse, and being influenced by some negative habits from friends or the environment.
When we are aware of these factors, we can analyze them and implement the treatment program based on them. According to the doctor, “I always involve caregivers, such as parents, in my educational programs to support children and adolescents and help them improve their behavior, and I sometimes teach children how to evaluate the consequences of their actions and make better decisions.” “And take responsibility for their behaviors and meet their needs in healthy ways.”
Advice and consultations
Preventing mental health disorders and problems may not always be possible, but early intervention is an important and effective factor in the recovery of children and adolescents, and plays a fundamental role in accelerating their mental health outcomes, as well as their ability to adapt to meet future challenges.
The doctor provides a set of preventive recommendations and consultations, the most important of which are:
- Safety Guarantee: If a child is exposed to any danger that could lead to harm to himself or others, a serious plan should be made on how to keep him safe. Teach the child the importance of speaking up if he feels any fear or tension, before he takes any action that could harm himself or someone else. You can also simply talk to him gently and calmly, and if you are concerned about your child’s safety, do not hesitate to call the emergency services at the hospital to get the necessary assistance.
- Refer to a specialist: A specialized psychiatrist can provide you with a comprehensive assessment of your child’s condition, and then provide the necessary advice and recommendations to help him. This step is very important to provide the appropriate care and support for his special needs.
- Seek treatment: A psychologist can help your child understand and reduce feelings of anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive actions, and harmful negative behavior. Additionally, it can help your child cope with feelings of grief and learn how to cope with loss and recover from trauma.
- Be affectionate and understanding: Because their sense of how affectionate you are towards them when they feel anxious or depressed helps them enhance feelings of safety, trust, and reassurance. You must also provide them with the opportunity to talk comfortably about their feelings and listen openly to topics that are important to them. This in turn can reduce levels of anxiety and depression.
- Encouraging communication and social activities, Avoid isolation, which may exacerbate symptoms.
- Be a role model: And a good role model, because children simply learn and acquire best by observing and watching the daily actions and behaviors of parents.
2024-02-09 12:26:29
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