Mental health Problems among children and Adolescents

As children enter into teens they experience not only physical changes but also face emotional and social changes which influences their thinking and decision making skills. These could be considered as phase of life issues. However one needs to evaluate the frequency and the intensity of the problem and accordingly seek professional intervention. Some common concerns they come across are listed below.

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Depression

Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn't worth living. To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks. More than just a bout of the blues, depression isn't a weakness and you can't simply "snap out" of it. Depression may require long-term treatment. But don't get discouraged. Most people with depression feel better with medication, psychotherapy or both.

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Anxiety

Experiencing occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. However, people with anxiety disorders frequently have intense, excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. Often, anxiety disorders involve repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety and fear or terror that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks). If your feelings of anxiety are extreme, last for at least 6 months, and are interfering with your life, you may have an anxiety disorder. These feelings of anxiety and panic interfere with daily activities, are difficult to control, are out of proportion to the actual danger and can last a long time. You may avoid places or situations to prevent these feelings. Symptoms may start during childhood or the teen years and continue into adulthood.

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Stress

Stress can be defined as any type of change that causes physical, emotional or psychological strain. Stress is your body's response to anything that requires attention or action. Everyone experiences stress to some degree. The way you respond to stress, however, makes a big difference to your overall well-being. One should seek medical attention if there is a feeling of being overwhelmed, if one is using drugs or alcohol to cope, or if there are thoughts about hurting oneself. The primary care provider can help by offering advice, taking a family doctor’s appointment or referring to a therapist.

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Social communication disorder

Social communication disorder (SCD) is characterized by a persistent difficulty with verbal and nonverbal communication that cannot be explained by low cognitive ability. The child’s acquisition and use of spoken and written language is problematic, and responses in conversation are often difficult.

Symptoms are seen as

  • Greeting others inappropriately
  • Failing to alter communication styles
  • Talking over others
  • Telling stories in disjointed manner
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    Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD)

    It is characterized by severe and recurrent temper outbursts that are grossly out of proportion to the situation in intensity or duration. The outbursts occur, on average, three or more times each week for a year or more.

    Symptoms are seen as

  • An irritable or angry mood most of the day, almost every day.
  • Severe temper outbursts (verbal or behavioural), these usually happen three or more times per week.
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    Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

    Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave.
    Symptoms are seen as

  • Not maintaining an eye contact or lacking smile when doing so
  • Not reacting or inconsistently reacting when their name is called out
  • Hypersensitivity to noise or one sensory input
  • Being lost in own thoughts
  • Hitting or biting themselves
  • Not using gestures while communicating
  • Inability to make friends
  • Repetitive body movements or repeating their own sentences
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    Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

    ADHD is a medical condition that affects their attention and self-control. ADHD can also make kids more fidgety than other kids their age. Kids with ADHD might have a tough time controlling their behavior and get into trouble more.

    Symptoms are seen as

  • Having trouble staying focused in tasks or play
  • Appear not to listen, even when spoken to directly
  • Trouble with task organization and time management
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    Eating Disorders

    Eating disorders previously listed among Disorders Usually First Diagnosed in Infancy, Childhood, or Adolescence are now listed in the Feeding and Eating Disorders chapter. They include pica, rumination and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder.

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    Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

    Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition brought on by a trauma. A child or teen may be diagnosed with PTSD if they have gone through a trauma, and if their stress symptoms are severe and last long after the trauma is over. Therapy can help kids and teens recover from PTSD

    Symptoms are seen as

  • Insomnia or nightmares (often but not always relating to the traumatic event/s).
  • Flashbacks, or the sensation that the event is happening again.
  • Trouble concentrating. Inability to enjoy old hobbies.
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    Specific Learning Disorder

    Specific Learning Disorder no longer limits learning disorders to reading, mathematics and written expression. Rather, the DSM-5 criteria describe shortcomings in general academic skills and provide detailed specifiers. Just as in DSM-IV, dyslexia is included in the descriptive text.

    Symptoms are seen as

  • Unable to blend syllables to make coherent sounds
  • Slow to learn new skills
  • Trouble grasping basic math concepts
  • Finding it difficult to tell time and remember a certain sequence
  • Persistent difficulties in reading, writing, arithmetic or mathematical reasoning
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    Bullying

    Bullying is a form of aggressive behavior in which someone intentionally and repeatedly causes another person injury or discomfort. Bullying can take the form of physical contact, words, or more subtle actions.

    Stay calm
    • Stand up straight and say “Leave ME Alone”
    • Hold your hand out and say “STOP IT”
    • Seek adult help – teacher or parent
    • Do not participate in the harassment of the victim

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    Cyber-Bullying

    Cyberbullying is verbally threatening or harassing behavior conducted through such electronic technology as cell phones, email, social media, or text messaging.

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    Substance-Addiction

    Substance use disorder is a mental health condition in which kids or teenagers use drugs or alcohol in unhealthy ways. This can include addiction, using substances in ways that interfere with normal life, and doing dangerous things because of the substance. Kids with substance use disorder have trouble in school, work or relationships because of their use of drugs or alcohol. They also develop tolerance to substances, which means that they need to use more of the substance in order to feel drunk or high.
    Symptoms are seen as

  • Taking the substance in larger amounts and for a longer amount of time than prescribed.
  • Having unsuccessful efforts to cut down on or control substance use.
  • Having issues fulfilling responsibilities at work, school or home due to substance use.
  • Giving up social, occupational or recreational activities because of substance use.
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    Gaming-Addiction

    Gamer Addiction is an obsession with video game playing that usually begins in elementary and middle school.It’s often hidden in our homes and in ouragements. It’s a addiction to games of all types: online, online, online, and online. Games are the perfect solution to long days and tired minds. Games are the perfect solution to anxiety and depression. Games are the perfect solution to addiction and a way to cope with life’s challenges. But they’re also a perfect solution to many other problems.

    Symptoms are seen as

  • Preoccupation with thoughts of previous online activity or anticipation of the next online session
  • Isolation from others in order to spend more time gaming
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    Conduct Disorder

    Conduct disorder is a pattern of behaviour in which a child repeatedly does things that harm others or breaks social norms and rules. Kids are diagnosed with CD when they intentionally hurt people or animals, destroy property, steal things and/or defy rules

    Symptoms are seen as

  • Being highly aggressive
  • Destroying property / others belongings
  • Being Deceitful
  • Violating rules or age-appropriate norms
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    Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)

    Children with have a well-established pattern of behaviour problems, with symptoms including arguing with authority figures, refusing to follow rules, blaming others for their mistakes, being unusually angry and irritable, and more. All children can have these symptoms from time to time. What distinguishes ODD from normal oppositional behaviour is how severe it is, and how long it has been going on for.

    Symptoms are seen as

  • Arguing a lot with adults
  • Refusing to do what an adult asks
  • Doing things to annoy or upset others, including adults
  • Blaming others for own misbehaviors or mistakes
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