Emotional issues in children
“Emotion’ is a broad term that is a biological state associated with the nervous system brought on by neurophysiological changes associated with those thoughts, feelings, behavioral responses, and pleasure. Emotions produce different physiological, behavioral, and cognitive changes. Emotions may be the result of the positive or negative experience of a person. The main role of emotion is to motivate adaptive behaviors. But when it fails, emotion gradually takes a negative turn, like depression, anxiety, and anger. A normal person also feels sad, worried, tensed in one or the other situation. But when these symptoms persist for a long time and which disturbs your normal routine, then we call it an “Emotional problem” or “Emotional issues”.
Surprisingly same emotions flow in children’s minds. So they also feel negative and positive experiences. Till the 1950s there is no importance to child mental health. Gradually child guidance clinics started as psychiatry departments took steps towards child mental health.
Identification of a child with emotional issues Usually, the child gradually reduces interaction with friends, teachers, and family members. It starts to cry for small reasons.
Sleep disturbance/ sleep talk/ sleepwalk/ bedwetting.
Expresses somatic illness, like headache, stomach pain, loose motions, vomiting, etc.
Decreased food intake/weight loss.
Negative talk/ worthless feeling.
Fear for small things.
Poor academic performance/not willing to go for school.
Causative factors
- Hereditary Factors
-Decrease in serotonin
-Disturbed home environment, means -parental conflicts/separation/divorce -death
-health issues in a family member -family conflicts/alcohol or substance abuse
-child abuse
-financial issues/socioeconomic status Over sensitivity in child/introvert nature
Comparing self with peer group/inferiority complex
Poor self-esteem
Poor performance in academics/extracurricular activities
Learning disabilities/Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Bullying
Sudden change in place
Adjust mental issues
Health issues in children like frequent respiratory tract infection, epilepsy, juvenile diabetes or hypertension, etc. Addictions- alcohol/substance abuse Gender dysphoria
Effects of emotional issues
Gradually the symptoms aggravate and lead to Anxiety disorder – This may be -separation anxiety disorder
-social anxiety disorder /phobia
– school refusal
– panic attacks
– generalized anxiety disorder
– fear/phobia
Obsessive-compulsive disorder– repeated thoughts leads to compulsive behavior like,
– cleanliness /hand wash
– counting the things
– checking the work
– organizing things
– fear of death/accident to self or family members
– spiritual activities/sin/curse
– sexual thoughts/masturbation
Depression – always feels low, sensitive, crying, silent, restlessness
-loss of interest in studies/ activities/games
-not mingling with the peer group
-the child may not express or exhibit the classical signs of depression but rather “depressive equivalent” in the form of psychosomatic symptoms like decreased food intake/weight loss/vomiting/disturbed sleep
-avoidance of family gathering
-suicidal thoughts etc.
Management
– Establishing a rapport with a child is important
– Reassurance for the child as well as parents is important
– Gain confidence and allow the child to talk freely
-Individual, as well as group psychotherapy, is beneficial
– Directive play therapy and art therapy is very much useful in emotional issues – Cognitive behavior therapy is effective
– Restarting interpersonal relationship is needed
– Reboost his/her ego is important – Helping him/her to improve his/her personality and development is crucial.
| ReplyForward |