Learn about mental disorders in children

Mental disorder is one of the most serious disorders that not only occurs in adults, but can also affect young children. Psychiatric disorders in children can cause changes in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that require prompt treatment.

Children of all ages can experience stress that negatively impacts their mental health. They are susceptible to the mental disorders of adults, although the symptoms can sometimes be slightly different.

If you know how to monitor and identify early symptoms of a mental disorder in a child, you and your loved one will be able to actively adjust your behavior and behavior to be more appropriate.

What is mental disorder in children?

Mental disorder, also known as mental illness, is a health condition in which a child has changes in thoughts, feelings, and behavior. This can lead to depression and problems interacting with family and friends, or during social and school activities.

Ensuring good mental health is indispensable for children to exploit their inherent potential to the fullest extent, along with appropriate social and cognitive development.

Types of mental disorders in children

Most mental illness can be treated with a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Here are a few mental disorders that commonly appear in children:

1. Anxiety Disorders

There are many reasons for childhood anxiety, such as pressure from being compared to siblings or other children, learning stress and school assessments. However, if your anxiety persists or is subject to other external stressors, you should have your child go for a psychological test.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), social phobia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are several conditions that are classified into the anxiety disorder group .

2. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

If a child has difficulty concentrating and exhibiting overactive or impulsive behavior that is associated with aggression, it may be due to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) .

However, there are cases where the child has the disorder but does not show any symptoms. Therefore, having your child have medical tests is the only way to diagnose the disease.

3. Disorders of excretion

Some children have signs of an urinary disorder, which interfere with toilet use and their ability to perform functions such as urinating or defecating.

If this happens in children over 5 years old then it is a problem that needs attention and treatment.

4. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

This disorder was formerly known as Pervasive development medical disorder and has increased risk in children under 3 years of age. Children with this disorder often have difficulty communicating and interacting with others effectively.

5. Eating disorder

Psychiatric anorexia (psychological anorexia due to the desire to attempt to lose weight) and anorexia (often triggered by distressing situations) are the two most common eating disorders manifest in children in of all ages.

6. Mood disorders

Depression (a state of constant sadness) and bipolar disorder (emotions that change rapidly from being extremely active and happy to quiet and sad) are two mental illnesses that fall into type of mood disturbances.

Mood disturbances have many effects on the physical and mental health of the sufferer, from insomnia, decreased concentration to self-confidence and suicidal tendencies.

7. Schizophrenia

This is a serious brain disorder, when the child's perceptions and thoughts are wrong, making them difficult in social activities, schools ...

With schizophrenia, children often hear words or imagine images in their head. This can lead to behaviors such as isolating oneself, having difficulty expressing emotions, and in some serious cases, people with schizophrenia tend to be violent and possibly harm others .

8. Tic Disorders

In this case, children will perform actions or make sudden sounds, not self-controlled, repetitive and often meaningless.

Symptoms of tic or convulsions can occur anywhere on the body, most commonly seen on the eyelids and facial muscles.

If you do not have much information about this syndrome, you should find out more through the article " Recognizing a child's tic disorder so as not to scold the child ".

Causes of mental disorders in children

Most mental disorders cannot have a specific cause. Researchers believe that the cause has a combination of factors such as genetics, biological factors, psychological disorders and external stressors.

1. Genetics

Mental disorders can be passed down through generations. Children born in families whose parents or grandparents have a history of mental illness are more vulnerable.

2. Biological factors

An imbalance between chemicals (also called neurotransmitters) in the brain is responsible for a number of mental disorders, as well as brain injury or birth defects.

3. Psychological trauma

Previous psychological abuse, neglect, physical or sexual abuse can lead to trauma and mental illness in some children.

4. Stressful environment

Some incidents that cause serious physical or emotional trauma, such as the loss of a loved one or a dangerous accident, can also lead to psychosis, especially in those at high risk of mental illness.

Signs and symptoms of psychosis in children

Many mental illnesses in children are often ignored and not treated promptly. Here are some signs and symptoms that you need to look out for in order to detect mental disorders in young children at an early stage.

1. Change your mood

Children have sorrows that last for more than a few weeks and the constantly changing mood leads to problems at home and at school.

2. There are strong feelings

Children are often surrounded by very strong feelings and appear unfounded. These sensations are sometimes accompanied by tachycardia or rapid breathing. This is characterized by an overwhelming feeling of fear or anxiety that affects everyday activities.

3. Change of behavior

Sudden changes in behavior can occur, especially violent or dangerous acts such as causing a fight, using weapons, the intention to hurt others.

4. Concentration problems

Children tend to be unable to sit still or focus on something for too long. This leads to a decline in academic or athletic performance.

5. Losing weight for no reason

Losing weight, vomiting frequently, or having to use laxatives can be signs of an eating disorder.

6. Unexplained pains and pains appear

Unlike adults, mental disorders in children can cause headaches and stomach pain more than emotional symptoms.

7. Self-harm

In some mental disorders, children can harm themselves by cutting or burning the flesh. These children may develop suicidal thoughts or attempt to end their own lives.

8. Substance abuse

Substance use or alcohol use is seen as a coping mechanism in some children with mental disorders. Babies can use these stimulants to relieve their own moods.

9. Fatigue

Lack of motivation to do everyday activities or pursue hobbies and a tendency to fatigue and unexplained depression are also warning signs for childhood mental disorders.

10. Obsess or deny self-appearance

Too much attention to appearance, physique or weight is also a cause of excessive anxiety.

11. Trouble sleeping

Insomnia, difficulty sleeping, poor sleep, or frequent nightmares for long periods of time are also at risk of symptoms of psychosis.

12. Avoid social contact

Not getting along with family and friends, staying away from all forms of social interaction can be alarming signs.

13. Increased complaints about behavior

When a child starts to bully or hit other children at school and face many other difficulties in a new environment, you need to pay more attention and care for the child as this can be the cause and manifestation of mental disorders.

Diagnose

Children are more susceptible to the same mental illnesses as adults. However, the diagnosis is often more difficult because children are still going through stages of growth and development, both physically and mentally.

The doctor will focus on the clinical signs and symptoms seen in the child, and also consult with a psychiatrist, psychologist or behavior therapist to make a diagnosis.

There is no simple test to diagnose psychiatric disorders; doctors will need more information about family members' medical history, trauma tolerance and mental history.

Treatment

The course of treatment will be conducted depending on the diagnosis as well as the benefits of the treatment. Combining the following treatments may work better for your child:

1. Use of drugs

Medication alone or in combination with other therapies can be effective in treating children's psychiatric disorders. 

Antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiety relievers, stimulants and mood stabilizers are often used in children with mental disorders.

2. Psychotherapy

This format involves counseling by a mental health professional to help a child cope with his or her symptoms, thoughts and behaviors.

Supportive therapy, cognitive behavior, family connections, individuals and groups are all classified as psychotherapy.

3. Creative therapy

This is especially helpful because young children are not able to express themselves like adults. This method involves therapeutic art (art therapy) or treatment-game (play therapy), helps children communicate thoughts and his emotions better.

Prevention of mental disorders in children

Since many different factors combine to cause psychiatric disorders in children, complete prevention is difficult to take. However, if we identify symptoms early and seek treatment as soon as possible, we can control the mental disorder, preventing future adverse effects.

How can I help my child cope with a mental disorder?

Families and schools play a huge role in guiding, empathizing and supporting children in coping with mental disorders.

Also, look for programs that teach how to deal with difficult situations and child's case-related behavior. Participating in support groups also helps children to overcome the above difficulties.

Prospects for children with mental disorders

Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can provide full or successful recovery results in limiting the psychotic symptoms of a child. However, a few children have a chronic or serious disorder that can persist for a lifetime.

If they do not seek to manage and treat mental disorders in children early, they may tend to abuse drugs such as alcohol and drugs in adulthood and commit violent or self-destructive behaviors. body (suicide).

Psychiatric disorder in children is a dangerous condition that requires prompt detection and treatment. You should pay attention to the child's spiritual life to help prevent these disorders.