Treatment of mental disorder in a child. Childhood psychosis: causes, symptoms, treatment of mental disorders. Treatment of mental problems in children

The child's psyche is very sensitive and easily vulnerable, so many provoking factors can cause mental disorders at such a young age. The clinical severity of symptoms, their duration and reversibility depend on the age of the child and the duration of the traumatic events.

Adults often attribute pathology of development and behavior to the child’s age, believing that over the years his condition can normalize. Oddities in the mental state are usually attributed to childhood whims, age-related infantilism and a lack of understanding of things happening around. Although in fact all these manifestations may indicate mental problems.

It is customary to distinguish four groups of mental disorders in children:

• autism spectrum disorders;
• mental retardation;
• attention deficit disorder.

What can trigger a mental disorder?

Mental disorders in childhood can be caused by many reasons. Psychological, social and biological factors influence a child's mental health.

This includes:

• genetic predisposition to the occurrence of mental illnesses;
• organic brain lesions;
• conflicts in the family and at school;
• dramatic life events;
• stress.

Children can often react neurotically to their parents' divorce. In addition, children from disadvantaged families are more likely to develop mental problems.

Having a sick relative can lead to mental disorders. In this case, the cause of the disease may affect the tactics and duration of further treatment.

How do mental disorders manifest in children?

Symptoms mental illness are:

• fears, phobias, increased anxiety;
• nervous tics;
• obsessive movements;
• aggressive behavior;
• mood lability, emotional imbalance;
• loss of interest in usual games;
• slowness of body movements;
• thinking disorders;
• isolation, depressed mood for two weeks or longer;
• auto: self-harm and suicide attempts;
• which are accompanied by tachycardia and rapid breathing;
• symptoms of anorexia: refusal to eat, inducing vomiting, taking laxatives;
• problems with concentration, hyperactive behavior;
• addiction to alcohol and drugs;
• changes in behavior, sudden changes in the child’s character.

Children are more prone to nervous disorders during age-related crises, namely at the ages of 3-4 years, 5-7 years and 12-18 years.

Before the age of one year, psychogenic reactions are the result of dissatisfaction of the main vital needs: sleep and food. At 2-3 years old, children may begin to suffer due to excessive attachment to their mother, which leads to infantilization and developmental inhibition. At 4-5 years of age, mental illness can manifest itself in nihilistic behavior and protest reactions.

You should also be wary if the child experiences developmental degradation. For example, lexicon the baby becomes poorer, he loses the skills he has already acquired, becomes less sociable and stops taking care of himself.

At the age of 6-7 years, school is a stressful factor. Often mental disorders in these children are manifested psychosomatically by deterioration of appetite and sleep, fatigue, headaches and dizziness.

IN adolescence(12-18 years old) mental disorders have their own characteristics of symptoms:

• The child becomes prone to melancholy, anxiety, or, conversely, to aggressiveness and conflict. A common feature is emotional instability.
• The teenager shows vulnerability to other people's opinions, outside assessments, excessive self-criticism or inflated self-esteem, and disregard for adult advice.
• Schizoid and cyclical.
• Children demonstrate youthful maximalism, theorizing, philosophizing, and many internal contradictions.

It must be remembered that the above symptoms do not always indicate the presence of a mental illness. Only a specialist can understand the situation and determine the diagnosis.

Treatment methods

It is usually very difficult for parents to decide to visit a psychotherapist. Recognition of mental disorders in a child is often associated with various restrictions in the future, ranging from the need to attend a special school and ending with a limited choice of specialty. Because of this, changes in behavior, developmental features, and personality quirks that may be symptoms of mental dysfunction are often ignored.

If parents want to somehow solve the problem, treatment often begins at home using alternative medicine. Only after long-term failures and deterioration of the offspring’s health does the first visit to a qualified medical specialist take place.

I know that no one can help me, but I want to talk about my situation, perhaps a banal desire to “pour out my soul” and cry strangers It will help me, because... I can’t talk about my oppressed thoughts and feelings to others.
I am 29 years old, I have a mentally ill child, a 6.5 year old son. how much effort and time has been spent, but society stubbornly does not accept it. he is not retarded, he is specific - autistic. does not speak, understands everything, but is not interested in anything, although we have tried all the methods and types of activities. everything he learns he goes through on his own. No matter how much we bang our heads, until it ripens, nothing can be squeezed out of it. The problems worsened when they tried to kick him out of a rehabilitation center for disabled children. The fact is that he is very stubborn, capricious and emotional. Neither teachers nor educators like this. frankly speaking, I partly understand them, but, on the other hand, I don’t know what to do. he goes to the group like he goes to kindergarten (from 9 to 5). I go to work and this is my only outlet, only at work can I unload my sick brain and thoughts. at the rehabilitation center they persistently advise me to quit and stay home with him. I don’t want to do this, because we’ve already been through something like this and it doesn’t give anything - he needs a team.
Now we have problems with sleep, he doesn’t sleep, I don’t sleep, no one sleeps. but only work saves me. At home I turn into a crazy hysteric.
what to do? I’m at a dead end, I don’t know what will happen next... what should I do, or give up on everything, quit and isolate myself and him from the environment?
I’m thinking about suicide, my nerves are on edge... I described the situation quite dryly, especially my feelings, thoughts and emotions, I just can’t, I don’t want, I don’t know what to do
Support the site:

Zarina, age: 29 / 02/13/2014

Responses:

Zarina, of course, has a very difficult time when life focuses on one problem, and the problem is truly complex. How can you help yourself first? Find time at least once a week to “reboot.” At least one hour in a temple, in a museum, in a cafe... Another hour of a leisurely walk in a park, square, river bank... Another hour of drawing or weaving, knitting, embroidering, reading your favorite book... Remember what exactly you did you like to do before? Maybe try to remember? Try to agree on this hour with someone, with a nurse in the end. Expanding your view of the world is now your task. So?
Secondly, I think that you can contact the parents of the same special children and consult with them. Who, if not they, who are experiencing the same difficulties, will tell you from their experience how exactly you can help yourself and your son. I just typed “Parents of autistic children” into the search engine, and more than a dozen sites and forums came up. Read them, choose the one that seems more reliable, consult with knowledgeable people there. God help.

Elena, age: 57 / 02/13/2014

Hello, Zarina! There is no need to give a damn about everything, isolate yourself and think about suicide! You are fighting and you are on the right path! You are strong, you are great! What advice can I give here? In your case, I would only count on God's help. Only Faith will bring you the peace you desire. You know, a mother’s prayers for a child, they are the most powerful! They are capable of working miracles of healing! And I would also contact people on forums with similar problems. There they will give you effective advice and share their experience. Don't be discouraged, don't give up! Your baby really needs you! With all my heart I wish you strength, endurance and patience, and your son health! I believe that you will definitely win!

magnolia, age: 39 / 02/13/2014

It probably makes sense to write to a forum where mothers of such children communicate. It's easier for them to understand own experience what is the best thing to do in this situation. If a child does not sleep at night, it is possible that he sleeps during the day, because it is not possible to stay awake for a long time. I don’t have children, I just wrote this logically, maybe children can’t sleep, I don’t know for sure. If my job saves me, then I probably wouldn’t quit it. It is impossible to live in constant stress.

Sonya, age: 33 / 02/13/2014

Zarina, keep fighting! Your son needs you. There are few people who can help him except you. Are there families with autistic children in your city? Maybe you can try to establish contact with one of them, they will understand you better than others? Ask someone to sit with your son for at least an hour, and spend this time on yourself. Surely you have relatives, or at worst friends? Can't they give you this hour at least once a week? Understand this is not the end. It's very difficult, but we have to fight. I've heard (forgive me if I got this wrong) that autistic children often grow up to be gifted individuals. Your son needs you, don’t even think about committing suicide.

Yuriy, age: 37 / 02/13/2014

What you definitely shouldn’t do is isolate yourself and your child from society. Then you simply degrade. Seek communication with parents like you. Get advice and learn from their experience. It's easier together. Just don’t isolate yourself, I beg you!

Natalya, age: * / 02/13/2014

Zarina, hold on. From your address it is clear that it is very difficult for you. Unfortunately, I don’t know much about the problem, I work with a colleague who has Asperger’s syndrome, he is very smart, it’s interesting to communicate with him, although it can be difficult sometimes, but as far as I know, this syndrome is a little different from autism. It seems to me that your inner voice is telling you that it is better not to deprive yourself or your child of communication with the team, so listen to yourself and most likely you will find the right answer. I wish you strength to cope with the situation and problems.

Daria, age: 28 / 02/14/2014

Zarina, why not stop fighting, then the tension will go away. You know, they say if you want to get something, let go of the situation. This does not mean that you don’t need to take care of the child’s development, but you just have to do it without strain. The child can become more learnable if you you won’t break down... try it, it won’t work right away, there will be breakdowns, and then get used to it.

Eliya, age: 23 / 02/14/2014

Zarinochka, I sympathize with you! Try to find a psychologist who specializes in pathopsychology or psychogenetics. He can help by working with your child. There is a chance to slightly adjust his behavior.

But I don’t think it’s worth quitting your job. You are also a person who deserves a normal life. And if work is your outlet, then use it and breathe there! Why punish yourself? Work and don't quit.

And pour out your soul more often. This really helps. Maybe you’ll find someone with similar problems and share. And the situation will no longer seem so scary.

Olga, age: 27 / 02/14/2014

Dear Zarinochka!
BE SURE to establish contact with parents of autistic children! I know from personal experience what it’s like to live next to someone who has a mental illness. In my case, the situation could not be corrected; it was progressive Alzheimer's disease in an elderly person. I felt driven into a corner, cried all the time and did not have a single joyful thought. But when I found my fellow sufferers, first of all I felt human warmth from people who understood the situation. It immediately became easier, honestly! Everyone knows the characteristics of patients, shares news, successes and failures with each other and supports each other. And secondly, I received a lot of information, practical advice from experienced people, this also helped a lot. And in your case, the situation is more favorable - autistic children can be corrected, but it takes a long time, and it’s not easy, but it’s worth it! Just please don’t try to isolate yourself, isolate yourself from the world! This will lead to even greater loss of spirit. Collect joy bit by bit from everywhere - at work, from a good book, movie, from good people, from a walk! These crumbs of joy will be enough for you to hold out until better times! They will definitely come and warm your heart! God bless you!
(In the latest March issue of Domashny Ochag magazine there is an article written by the mother of an autistic girl, “I Believe in Motherhood,” which tells a real and inspiring story of victory over the disease.)

Elena, age: 37 / 02/14/2014

Hello, dear Zarina!
I would advise you to take your son to receive communion as often as possible, and also try to go to confession and receive communion yourself. I know a case where a child did not sleep for up to 3 years, and the first good night was - after Communion. His parents decided to take him to church. At first they didn’t understand what had happened! their baby slept all night, and so did they! It was a shock to them. But they did not understand that the reason for this is Communion. It was their turn again sleepless nights, again they decided to take the child to receive communion, and... again they slept all night!!! Then they understood what was going on... :) The miracle of Holy Communion!
And I advise you to confess and receive communion, because the connection between mother and child is very, very strong. And the child feels better when his mother receives communion.
Find out how to prepare for these Sacraments, go to a church shop, ask the seller there, buy a book, or read it on the Internet, for example, here briefly http://azbyka.ru/tserkov/duhovnaya_zhizn/sem_tserkovnyh_tainstv/prichaschenie/podgotovka_k_prichastiyu-all .shtml
I agree with those who wrote above, I think you shouldn’t lock your baby at home, he needs communication! And work is an outlet for you; you cannot deprive yourself of this.
I think we need to continue working with him in rehabilitation center, and at home! Darling, throw away your dark thoughts about leaving. You are not alone now, you are responsible for your son, whom God entrusted to you! And who will warm your baby when you are gone? Who will need it? How will he live without his mother?
No, Zarinochka, we have to fight!
Is it possible to take time off from work? Let the baby go to the center, and at least you can get a good night’s sleep at home!
I wish you health, strength and God's help!

Seraphima, age: 24 / 02/14/2014

Zarina, I work with parents of disabled children. I also have a 6 year old son who suffers from autism. Expert advice is not
groundless. If he is emotional and if there is an opportunity not to work, my advice is to quit. You better have it in the center
drive three hours than a full day. It's hard for him to be there all day. I don’t know what city you’re from, but you’re a mother of children
autistic people in Moscow and the Moscow region try to be with their children whenever possible. My child is talking.
Started talking at age 5. I already thought that this wouldn’t happen. An autistic person just needs to be loved and cared for and he
will gradually open up to the world.

Marina, age: 44 / 02/15/2014

My dear: D I have autism, although a small degree. I work, they got used to me, and with age it has smoothed out a lot. I can fall into my thoughts, yes, some situations frighten me greatly, to the point of hysteria, I try to avoid them. For example, I’m scared to death of horses. But still, better than in childhood. You won't have this nightmare forever. And autistic people can be very interesting, even very interesting over time. He will be able to work and become your support. My mom didn't believe it either :-)
Hang in there. It's a pity that you encountered this, but this is not the case when there is no progress forever. For me, you can’t even tell now, unless, of course, at certain moments of fright... But even healthy people seem to squeal from mice and cockroaches?)

Dalmatian, age: 31 / 02/16/2014

Dear Zarina! First of all, you are a great smart girl and you can be understood. But you gave your child such a direct “sentence”: “He’s sick.” He is not sick, but extraordinary, not like everyone else. He needs a special approach and a lot of warmth and love. What does it mean want to kick you out of the center? What kind of specialists are there? Maybe they need to be kicked out of this center? Don’t back down and of course you don’t need to quit your job. These unusual children are very interesting, if you look closely at them, they are very deep in their own world, forcing, instilling, punishing - all this is not for them. But you have to suffer that he is like this.... You are right, he needs society, otherwise he will completely lose adaptation... Someone here wrote that such children often grow up to be geniuses - this is true..... because they are unpredictable... Think about it, what does God not give to someone at all? children.... And he just gave you something unusual.... not every mother is capable of raising such a thing... It means you were chosen from above and you are very strong... You love him very, very much. You see normal image life - read, walk, communicate... don’t isolate yourself... happiness to you and your son

Natalya, age: 29 / 31.07.2014

I will answer late. I have the same problem, only the child is 14 years old. He was also “special”: in some ways smarter than others, in others incomprehensibly aggressive. Although I worked hard with him, I tried to develop motor skills and logic. I went to a regular DS. There were hysterics and disputes with other parents. At the age of 7, the child became very interested in reading: encyclopedias, detective stories, and read a lot without interruption. Autistic people have this thing: if they’re really interested in something, they don’t know what to do. But it lasted until 10-11. From 10 the countdown began: I stopped reading, then taking care of myself (washing my face, etc.). Sits at the PC or lies down if the PC is turned off. He is rude and deceives. Studying no longer exists for him (teachers are generally surprised how he could study in a regular school). Now we need to register for disability. Diagnosis is made mental disorder, but the psychiatrist says that apparently he also has schizophrenia. In general, my child is already lost to society - he lives in his own world. And so I also keep thinking - have I done everything I can and should I give up or is there still an opportunity to change something?
your problems are nonsense. The main thing is that you see your child as an individual and do not give in to the pressure of others. The opinions of others are also nonsense. It doesn’t mean anything to me anymore, or rather, having gone through a lot of humiliation and problems, I realized that only a person who experienced the same thing (not approximately, but in the same strength) can understand me. Yes, I also wanted to isolate myself (go to the village), but as usual, trouble doesn’t come alone, so it all came to pass and I ended up in a mental hospital myself, but I realized that you can’t run away from problems... I don’t feel sorry for myself, I feel sorry for the child. But apparently, this test was given to us... It ended cruelly...

Nadine, age: 40 / 10/21/2014

Hello, my name is Elena. I have already gone through all this, I have a son who is already 15 years old. The tortured child was waiting for him very much. We have mental retardation and psychosis is very violent. I have been sitting at home with him for 6 years now. And I didn't go crazy. In your case, you need to pull yourself together, you don’t need to think about anything bad, throw it out of your head. You need to be strong for the sake of your child. Well, since he is not sleeping, maybe you should drink tea for sleep first. Well, there is no point in being offended by people; they will never accept disabled children. They look at us too, but we have learned not to pay attention. So we have only one more positive life. All the best to you.

Elena, age: 38 / 07/31/2015

Mental disorders in children or mental dysontogenesis - deviation from normal behavior, accompanied by a group of disorders that relate to pathological conditions. They arise due to genetic, sociopathic, physiological reasons, sometimes their formation is facilitated by injuries or diseases of the brain. Violations that arose in early age, cause mental disorders and require treatment from a psychiatrist.

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Causes of disorders

The formation of a child’s psyche is associated with the biological characteristics of the body, heredity and constitution, the rate of formation of the brain and parts of the central nervous system, and acquired skills. The root of the development of mental disorders in children should always be sought in biological, sociopathic or psychological factors that provoke the occurrence of disorders; often the process is triggered by a combination of agents. The main reasons include:

• Genetic predisposition. Assumes initially malfunction nervous system due to congenital features body. When close relatives have mental disorders, there is a possibility of passing them on to the child.
• Deprivation (inability to satisfy needs) in early childhood. The connection between mother and baby begins from the first minutes of birth; it sometimes has a major influence on a person’s attachments and the depth of emotional feelings in the future. Any type of deprivation (tactile or emotional, psychological) partially or completely affects a person’s mental development and leads to mental dysontogenesis.
• Limited mental abilities also refer to a kind of mental disorder and affect physiological development and sometimes become the cause of other disorders.
• Brain injury occurs due to difficult childbirth or head contusions, encephalopathy is caused by infections during intrauterine development or after illnesses. In terms of prevalence, this reason takes the leading place along with the hereditary factor.
• Bad habits of the mother, the toxicological effects of smoking, alcohol, drugs have Negative influence on the fetus during the period of gestation. If the father suffers from these ailments, the consequences of intemperance often affect the child’s health, affecting the central nervous system and brain, which negatively affects the psyche.

Family conflicts or dysfunctional conditions in the home - significant factor, traumatic for the developing psyche, aggravating the condition.

Mental disorders in childhood, especially up to a year, unites general feature: the progressive dynamics of mental functions are combined with the development of dysontogenesis associated with a violation of the morphofunctional brain systems. The condition occurs due to cerebral disorders, congenital characteristics or social influences.

Relationship between disorders and age

In children psychophysical development occurs gradually, is divided into stages:

• early - up to three years;
• preschool – up to the age of six;
• junior school – up to 10 years;
• school-puberty – up to 17 years.

Critical periods are considered to be time periods during the transition to the next stage, which are characterized by rapid changes in all body functions, including an increase in mental reactivity. At this time, children are most susceptible to nervous disorders or worsening of existing mental pathologies. Age crises occur at 3-4 years, 5-7 years, 12-16 years. What features are characteristic of each stage:

• Before one year of age, babies develop positive and negative sensations and form initial ideas about the world around them. In the first months of life, disorders are associated with the needs that the child must receive: food, sleep, comfort and lack of painful sensations. The crisis of 7-8 months is marked by awareness of the differentiation of feelings, recognition of loved ones and the formation of attachment, so the child requires the attention of the mother and family members. The better parents provide satisfaction of needs, the faster a positive behavioral stereotype is formed. Dissatisfaction causes negative reaction, the more unfulfilled desires accumulate, the more severe the deprivation, which subsequently leads to aggression.
• In 2-year-old children, active maturation of brain cells continues, motivation for behavior appears, orientation towards evaluation by adults, and positive behavior is identified. With constant control and prohibitions, the inability to assert oneself leads to a passive attitude and the development of infantilism. With additional stress, behavior takes on a pathological character.
• Stubbornness and nervous breakdowns, protests are observed at 4 years of age, mental disorders can manifest themselves in mood swings, tension, and internal discomfort. Restrictions cause frustration, the child’s mental balance is disturbed due to even minor negative influences.
• At 5 years of age, disorders can manifest themselves when mental development is advanced, accompanied by dysynchrony, that is, a one-sided direction of interests appears. Also, attention should be paid if the child has lost skills acquired earlier, has become untidy, limits communication, has a decreased vocabulary, or does not play role-playing games.
• In seven-year-olds, the cause of neuroses is schoolwork; with the start of the school year, disturbances manifest themselves in instability of mood, tearfulness, fatigue, and headaches. The reactions are based on psychosomatic asthenia (poor sleep and appetite, decreased performance, fears), fatigue. The failure factor is the discrepancy between mental abilities and the school curriculum.
• In school and adolescence, mental disorders manifest themselves in anxiety, increased anxiety, melancholy, mood swings. Negativism is combined with conflict, aggression, and internal contradictions. Children react painfully to others' assessment of their abilities and appearance. Sometimes there is increased self-confidence or, conversely, criticism, posturing, and disdain for the opinions of teachers and parents.

Mental disorders should be distinguished from anomalies of post-schizophrenic defect and dementia resulting from organic brain disease. In this case, dysontogenesis acts as a symptom of pathology.



Types of pathologies

Children are diagnosed with mental disorders typical of adults, but children also have specific age-related ailments. Symptoms of dysontogenesis are varied, depending on age, stage of development and environment.

The peculiarity of the manifestations is that in children it is not always easy to distinguish pathology from characteristics of character and development. There are several types of mental disorders in children.



Mental retardation

Pathology refers to acquired or congenital mental underdevelopment with a clear lack of intelligence, when the child’s social adaptation is difficult or completely impossible. In sick children the following decreases, sometimes significantly:

• cognitive abilities and memory;
• perception and attention;
• speech skills;
• control over instinctual needs.

The vocabulary is poor, the pronunciation is unclear, the child is poorly developed emotionally and morally, and is unable to predict the consequences of his actions. IN mild degree It is detected in children upon entering school; moderate and severe stages are diagnosed in the first years of life.

The disease cannot be completely cured, but proper upbringing and training will allow the child to learn communication and self-care skills; with a mild stage of the disease, people are able to adapt to society. In severe cases, care will be required throughout the person's life.

Impaired mental function

A borderline state between oligophrenia and the norm, disorders are manifested by delays in the cognitive, motor or emotional, speech sphere. Mental retardation sometimes occurs due to slow development of brain structures. It happens that the condition passes without a trace or remains as an underdevelopment of one function, while it is compensated by other, sometimes accelerated, abilities.

There are also residual syndromes - hyperactivity, decreased attention, loss of previously acquired skills. The type of pathology can become the basis for pathocharacterological manifestations of personality in adulthood.

ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder)

Common problem in children preschool age and up to 12 years, characterized by neuro-reflex excitability. It shows that the child:

• active, unable to sit still or do one thing for a long time;
• constantly distracted;
• impulsive;
• intemperate and talkative;
• does not finish what he starts.

Neuropathy does not lead to a decrease in intelligence, but if the condition is not corrected, it often becomes the cause of difficulties with studying and adaptation in the social sphere. In the future, the consequence of attention deficit disorder may be incontinence, the formation of narcotic or alcohol addiction, family problems.

Autism

A congenital mental disorder is accompanied not only by speech and motor disorders; autism is characterized by a violation of contact and social interaction with people. Stereotypical behavior makes it difficult to change the environment, living conditions, changes cause fear and panic. Children tend to perform monotonous movements and actions, repeating sounds and words.

The disease is difficult to treat, but the efforts of doctors and parents can correct the situation and reduce the manifestations of psychopathological symptoms.

Acceleration

The pathology is characterized by accelerated development of the child physically or intellectually. Reasons include urbanization, improved nutrition, and interethnic marriages. Acceleration can manifest itself as harmonious development, when all systems develop evenly, but these cases are rare. With the progress of physical and mental development, somatovegetative abnormalities are noted at an early age, and endocrine problems are identified in older children.

The mental sphere is also characterized by disorder, for example, during the formation of early speech skills, motor skills or social cognition lag behind, and physical maturity is combined with infantilism. With age, differences smooth out, so violations usually do not lead to consequences.

Infantilism

With infantilism, the emotional-volitional sphere lags behind in development. Symptoms are identified at the stage of school and adolescence, when big child behaves like a preschooler: prefers to play rather than gain knowledge. Does not accept school discipline and requirements, while the level of abstract logical thinking is not impaired. In an unfavorable social environment, simple infantilism tends to progress.

The causes of the disorder are often constant control and restriction, unjustified guardianship, projection negative emotions on the child and incontinence, which encourages him to close down and adapt.

What to look for?

Manifestations of mental disorders in childhood are varied, and sometimes it is difficult to confuse them with a lack of upbringing. Symptoms of these disorders can sometimes appear in healthy children, therefore, only a specialist can diagnose the pathology. You should consult a doctor if signs of mental disorders manifest themselves clearly, expressed in the following behavior:

• Increased cruelty. child in younger age does not yet understand that by dragging the cat by the tail, he hurts the animal. The student is aware of the level of discomfort of the animal; if he likes it, he should pay attention to his behavior.
• The desire to lose weight. The desire to be beautiful arises in every girl in adolescence, when... normal weight The schoolgirl considers herself fat and refuses to eat, so there is a good reason to go to a psychiatrist.
• If a child has a high degree of anxiety, panic attacks often occur, the situation cannot be left unattended.
• Bad mood and blues are sometimes common to people, but the course of depression for more than 2 weeks in a teenager requires increased attention from parents.
• Mood swings indicate mental instability and inability to adequately respond to stimuli. If a change in behavior occurs without a reason, this indicates problems that require solutions.

When a child is active and sometimes inattentive, there is nothing to worry about. But if this makes it difficult for him to even play outdoor games with peers because he is distracted, the condition requires correction.

Treatment methods

Timely detection behavioral disorders in children and the creation of a favorable psychological atmosphere makes it possible to correct mental disorders in most cases. Some situations require observation and reception medications throughout life. Sometimes it is possible to cope with the problem in a short time, sometimes it takes years to recover, with the support of the adults around the child. Therapy depends on the diagnosis, age, causes of formation and type of manifestations of disorders; in each specific case, the treatment method is selected individually, even when the symptoms vary slightly. Therefore, when visiting a psychotherapist or psychologist, it is important to explain to the doctor the essence of the problem, to provide a complete description of the characteristics of the child’s behavior, based on comparative characteristics before and after changes.

The following are used in the treatment of children:

• In simple cases, psychotherapeutic methods are sufficient, when the doctor, in conversations with the child and parents, helps to find the cause of the problem, ways to solve it, and teaches how to control behavior.
• A set of psychotherapeutic measures and reception medications talks about more serious development pathology. In cases of depression, aggressive behavior, mood swings, sedatives, antidepressants, and antipsychotics are prescribed. Nootropics and psychoneuroregulators are used to treat developmental delays.
• In case of severe disorders, inpatient treatment is recommended, where the child receives the necessary therapy under the supervision of a doctor.

During the treatment period and after it, it is necessary to create a favorable environment in the family, eliminate stress and negative impact environment influencing behavioral reactions.

If parents have doubts about the adequacy of the child’s behavior, they should contact a psychiatrist, a specialist will conduct an examination and prescribe treatment. It is important to identify pathology at an early stage in order to correct behavior in time, prevent the progression of the disorder and eliminate the problem.

Nowadays, mental disorders occur in hardly every second person. The disease does not always have bright clinical manifestations. However, some deviations cannot be neglected. The concept of normal has a wide range, but inaction, with obvious signs of illness, only aggravates the situation.

Mental illnesses in adults, children: list and description

Sometimes, different ailments have the same symptoms, but in most cases, diseases can be divided and classified. Major mental illnesses - a list and description of deviations may attract the attention of loved ones, but the final diagnosis can only be established by an experienced psychiatrist. He will also prescribe treatment based on symptoms, coupled with clinical studies. The sooner a patient seeks help, the greater the chance of successful treatment. You need to discard stereotypes and not be afraid to face the truth. Nowadays, mental illness is not a death sentence, and most of them can be successfully treated if the patient turns to doctors for help in time. Most often, the patient himself is not aware of his condition, and his loved ones should take on this mission. The list and description of mental illnesses is created for informational purposes only. Perhaps your knowledge will save the lives of those you care about, or dispel your worries.

Agoraphobia with panic disorder

Agoraphobia, to one degree or another, accounts for about 50% of all anxiety disorders. If initially the disorder meant only a fear of open space, now fear of fear has been added to this. That's right, a panic attack occurs in a situation where there is Great chance fall, get lost, get lost, etc., and fear will not cope with it. Agoraphobia expresses nonspecific symptoms, that is, increased heart rate and sweating can also occur with other disorders. All symptoms of agoraphobia are exclusively subjective, experienced by the patient himself.

Alcoholic dementia

Ethyl alcohol, when consumed regularly, acts as a toxin that destroys the brain functions responsible for human behavior and emotions. Unfortunately, only alcoholic dementia can be monitored and its symptoms identified, but treatment will not restore lost brain functions. You can slow down alcohol-induced dementia, but not completely cure the person. Symptoms of alcohol-induced dementia include slurred speech, memory loss, sensory loss, and lack of logic.

Allotriophagy

Some people are surprised when children or pregnant women combine incompatible foods, or, in general, eat something inedible. Most often, this is how a lack of certain microelements and vitamins in the body is expressed. This is not a disease, and is usually “treated” by taking a vitamin complex. With allotriophagy, people eat something that is basically not edible: glass, dirt, hair, iron, and this is a mental disorder, the causes of which are not only a lack of vitamins. Most often this is shock, plus vitamin deficiency, and, as a rule, treatment also needs to be approached comprehensively.

Anorexia

In our time of craze for gloss, the mortality rate from anorexia is 20%. The obsessive fear of getting fat makes you refuse to eat, even to the point of complete exhaustion. If you recognize the first signs of anorexia, a difficult situation can be avoided and measures can be taken in time. The first symptoms of anorexia:
Setting the table turns into a ritual, with counting calories, fine cutting, and arranging/spreading food on a plate. My entire life and interests focus only on food, calories, and weighing myself five times a day.

Autism

Autism - what is this disease, and how treatable is it? Only half of children diagnosed with autism have functional disorders brain Children with autism think differently than normal children. They understand everything, but cannot express their emotions due to impaired social interaction. Ordinary children grow up and copy the behavior of adults, their gestures, facial expressions and so learn to communicate, but with autism, non-verbal communication impossible. They do not strive for loneliness, they simply do not know how to establish contact themselves. With due attention and special training, this can be somewhat corrected.

Delirium tremens

Delirium tremens refers to psychosis caused by prolonged drinking. Signs of delirium tremens are represented by a very wide range of symptoms. Hallucinations - visual, tactile and auditory, delusions, rapid mood swings from blissful to aggressive. To date, the mechanism of brain damage has not been fully understood, and there is no complete cure for this disorder.

Alzheimer's disease

Many types of mental disorders are incurable, and Alzheimer's disease is one of them. The first signs of Alzheimer's disease in men are nonspecific and are not immediately obvious. After all, all men forget birthdays, important dates, and this surprises no one. In Alzheimer's disease, short-term memory is the first to suffer, and the person literally forgets the day. Aggression and irritability appear, and this is also attributed to a manifestation of character, thereby missing the moment when it was possible to slow down the course of the disease and prevent too rapid dementia.

Pick's disease

Niemann-Pick disease in children is exclusively hereditary, and is divided according to severity into several categories, based on mutations in a certain pair of chromosomes. Classic category “A” is a death sentence for a child, and death occurs by the age of five. Symptoms of Niemann Pick disease appear in the first two weeks of a child's life. Lack of appetite, vomiting, clouding of the cornea and enlarged internal organs, which causes the child’s belly to become disproportionately large. Damage to the central nervous system and metabolism leads to death. Categories “B”, “C”, and “D” are not so dangerous, since the central nervous system is not affected so quickly, this process can be slowed down.

Bulimia

What kind of disease is bulimia, and does it need to be treated? In fact, bulimia is not just a mental disorder. A person does not control his feeling of hunger and eats literally everything. At the same time, the feeling of guilt forces the patient to take a lot of laxatives, emetics, and miracle drugs for weight loss. Obsessing over your weight is just the tip of the iceberg. Bulimia occurs due to functional disorders of the central nervous system, pituitary disorders, brain tumors, initial stage diabetes, and bulimia is only a symptom of these diseases.

Hallucinosis

The causes of hallucinosis syndrome occur against the background of encephalitis, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, hemorrhage, or tumors. With complete clear consciousness, the patient may experience visual hallucinations, auditory, tactile, or olfactory. A person may see the world around him in a somewhat distorted form, and the faces of his interlocutors may appear as cartoon characters or geometric figures. The acute form of hallucinosis can last up to two weeks, but you should not relax if the hallucinations have passed. Without identifying the causes of hallucinations and appropriate treatment, the disease may return.

Dementia

Senile disease is a consequence of Alzheimer's disease, and is often referred to as “senile insanity.” The stages of development of dementia can be divided into several periods. At the first stage, there are memory lapses, and sometimes the patient forgets where he went and what he did a minute ago.

The next stage is loss of orientation in space and time. The patient can get lost even in his own room. This is followed by hallucinations, delusions, and sleep disturbances. In some cases, dementia progresses very quickly, and the patient completely loses the ability to reason, speak and care for himself within two to three months. With proper care and supportive therapy, the prognosis for life expectancy after the onset of dementia is from 3 to 15 years, depending on the causes of dementia, care for the patient, and individual characteristics body.

Depersonalization

Depersonalization syndrome is characterized by a loss of connection with oneself. The patient cannot perceive himself, his actions, words, as his own, and looks at himself from the outside. In some cases, this is a defensive reaction of the psyche to shock, when you need to evaluate your actions from the outside without emotions. If this disorder does not resolve within two weeks, treatment is prescribed based on the severity of the disease.

Depression

It is impossible to answer unequivocally whether it is a disease or not. This is an affective disorder, that is, a mood disorder, but it affects the quality of life and can lead to disability. A pessimistic attitude triggers other mechanisms that destroy the body. Another option is possible, when depression is a symptom of other diseases of the endocrine system or pathology of the central nervous system.

Dissociative fugue

Dissociative fugue is an acute mental disorder that occurs against a background of stress. The patient leaves his home, moves to a new place, and everything connected with his personality: first name, last name, age, profession, etc., is erased from his memory. At the same time, the memory of books read, of some experience, but not related to his personality, is preserved. A dissociative fugue can last from two weeks to many years. Memory may return suddenly, but if this does not happen, you should seek qualified help from a psychotherapist. Under hypnosis, as a rule, the cause of the shock is found, and the memory returns.

Stuttering

Stuttering is a violation of the tempo-rhythmic organization of speech, expressed by spasms of the speech apparatus; as a rule, stuttering occurs in physically and psychologically weak people who are too dependent on the opinions of others. The area of ​​the brain responsible for speech is adjacent to the area responsible for emotions. Violations that occur in one area inevitably affect another.

gambling addiction

Gambling addiction is considered a disease of weak people. This is a personality disorder, and treatment is complicated by the fact that there is no cure for gambling addiction. Against the background of loneliness, immaturity, greed, or laziness, addiction to the game develops. The quality of treatment for gambling addiction depends solely on the wishes of the patient himself, and consists of constant self-discipline.

Idiocy

Idiocy is classified in the ICD as profound mental retardation. The general characteristics of personality and behavior correspond to the level of development of a three-year-old child. Patients with idiocy are practically incapable of learning and live solely by instincts. Typically, patients have an IQ level of about 20, and treatment consists of nursing care.

Imbecility

IN International classification diseases, imbecility was replaced by the term “mental retardation.” Violation intellectual development in the degree of imbecility represents average level mental retardation. Congenital imbecility is a consequence of intrauterine infection or defects in fetal formation. The level of development of an imbecile corresponds to the development of a 6-9 year old child. They are moderately trainable, but it is impossible for an imbecile to live independently.

Hypochondria

It manifests itself in an obsessive search for illnesses in oneself. The patient carefully listens to his body and looks for symptoms that confirm the presence of the disease. Most often, such patients complain of tingling, numbness of the limbs and other nonspecific symptoms, requiring doctors to make an accurate diagnosis. Sometimes, patients with hypochondria are so confident in their serious illness that the body, under the influence of the psyche, malfunctions and actually gets sick.

Hysteria

The signs of hysteria are quite violent, and, as a rule, women suffer from this personality disorder. With hysterical disorder, there is a strong manifestation of emotions, and some theatricality, and pretense. A person strives to attract attention, arouse pity, and achieve something. Some consider this just whims, but, as a rule, such a disorder is quite serious, since a person cannot control his emotions. Such patients need psychocorrection, since hysterics are aware of their behavior and suffer from incontinence no less than their loved ones.

Kleptomania

Given psychological disorder refers to a disorder of desires. The exact nature has not been studied, however, it has been noted that kleptomania is concomitant disease for other psychopathic disorders. Sometimes kleptomania manifests itself as a result of pregnancy or in adolescents, during hormonal changes in the body. The desire to steal with kleptomania does not have the goal of getting rich. The patient seeks only the thrill of the very fact of committing an illegal act.

Cretinism

Types of cretinism are divided into endemic and sporadic. Typically, sporadic cretinism is caused by hormone deficiency thyroid gland during embryonic development. Endemic cretinism is caused by a lack of iodine and selenium in the mother's diet during pregnancy. In the case of cretinism great value It has early treatment. If, for congenital cretinism, therapy is started at 2-4 weeks of a child’s life, the degree of his development will not lag behind the level of his peers.

"Culture shock

Many people do not take culture shock and its consequences seriously, however, a person’s condition during culture shock should raise concerns. People often experience culture shock when moving to another country. At first a person is happy, he likes different food, different songs, but soon he is faced with the deepest differences in deeper layers. Everything that he is accustomed to consider normal and ordinary goes against his worldview in new country. Depending on the characteristics of the person and the motives for moving, there are three ways to resolve the conflict:

1. Assimilation. Complete acceptance of a foreign culture and dissolution in it, sometimes in an exaggerated form. One’s own culture is belittled and criticized, and the new one is considered more developed and ideal.

2. Ghettoization. That is, creating your own world inside a foreign country. This is isolated living and limited external contact with the local population.

3. Moderate assimilation. In this case, the individual will retain in his home everything that was customary in his homeland, but at work and in society he tries to acquire a different culture and observes the customs generally accepted in this society.

Persecution mania

Persecution mania - in one word, a real disorder can be characterized as spy mania, or stalking. Persecution mania can develop against the background of schizophrenia, and manifests itself in excessive suspicion. The patient is convinced that he is an object of surveillance by the special services, and suspects everyone, even his loved ones, of espionage. This schizophrenic disorder is difficult to treat, since it is impossible to convince the patient that the doctor is not an intelligence officer, and the pill is a medicine.

Misanthropy

A form of personality disorder characterized by dislike of people, even hatred. What is misanthropy, and how to recognize a misanthrope? The misanthrope opposes himself to society, its weaknesses and imperfections. To justify his hatred, a misanthrope often elevates his philosophy into a kind of cult. A stereotype has been created that a misanthrope is an absolutely closed hermit, but this is not always the case. The misanthrope carefully selects who to let into his personal space and who may be his equal. IN severe form a misanthrope hates all of humanity as a whole and can call for mass murders and wars.

Monomania

Monomania is a psychosis expressed in concentration on one thought, with full preservation reason. In current psychiatry, the term “monomania” is considered outdated and too general. Currently, they distinguish “pyromania”, “kleptomania” and so on. Each of these psychoses has its own roots, and treatment is prescribed based on the severity of the disorder.

Obsessive states

Syndrome obsessive states, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, is characterized by the inability to get rid of intrusive thoughts or actions. As a rule, individuals with a high level of intelligence and a high level of social responsibility suffer from OCD. Obsessive-compulsive disorder manifests itself in endless thinking about unnecessary things. How many checks are on the jacket of a fellow traveler, how old is the tree, why does the bus have round headlights, etc.

The second variant of the disorder is obsessive actions, or re-verification of actions. The most common impact is related to cleanliness and order. The patient endlessly washes everything, folds it and washes it again, to the point of exhaustion. The syndrome of persistent states is difficult to treat, even with the use of complex therapy.

Narcissistic personality disorder

The signs of narcissistic personality disorder are not difficult to recognize. prone to inflated self-esteem, confident in their own ideality and perceive any criticism as envy. This is a behavioral personality disorder, and it is not as harmless as it may seem. Narcissistic Personalities confident in their own permissiveness and the right to something greater than everyone else. Without a twinge of conscience, they can destroy other people’s dreams and plans, because it doesn’t matter to them.

Neurosis

Is obsessive-compulsive disorder a mental illness or not, and how difficult is it to diagnose the disorder? Most often, the disease is diagnosed based on patient complaints, psychological testing, MRI and CT scans of the brain. Neuroses are often a symptom of a brain tumor, aneurysm, or previous infections.

Mental retardation

This is a form of mental retardation in which the patient does not develop mentally. Oligophrenia is caused intrauterine infections, defects in genes or hypoxia during childbirth. Treatment of oligophrenia consists of social adaptation of patients and teaching simple self-care skills. For such patients there are special kindergartens and schools, but it is rarely possible to achieve development beyond the level of a ten-year-old child.

Panic attacks

A fairly common disorder, however, the causes of the disease are unknown. Most often, doctors write VSD in the diagnosis, since the symptoms are very similar. There are three categories of panic attacks:

1. Spontaneous panic attack. Fear, increased sweating and heart palpitations occur without any reason. If such attacks occur regularly, somatic illnesses should be ruled out, and only then referred to a psychotherapist.

2. Situational panic attack. Many people have phobias. Some people are afraid to ride in an elevator, others are afraid of airplanes. Many psychologists successfully cope with such fears, and you should not delay visiting a doctor.

3. Panic attack when taking drugs or alcohol. In this situation, biochemical stimulation is evident, and a psychologist in this case will only help get rid of the addiction, if any.

Paranoia

Paranoia is a heightened sense of reality. Patients with paranoia can build the most complex logical chains and solve the most confusing problems, thanks to their non-standard logic. - a chronic disorder characterized by stages of calm and violent crises. During such periods, treating the patient is especially difficult, since paranoid ideas can be expressed in delusions of persecution, delusions of grandeur, and other ideas where the patient considers doctors enemies or they are unworthy to treat him.

Pyromania

Pyromania is a mental disorder characterized by a morbid passion for watching fire. Only such contemplation can bring the patient joy, satisfaction and peace. Pyromania is considered a type of OCD, due to the inability to resist the obsessive urge to set something on fire. Pyromaniacs rarely plan a fire in advance. This is a spontaneous lust that does not provide material gain or profit, and the patient feels relief after committing arson.

Psychoses

They are classified according to their origin. Organic psychosis occurs against the background of brain damage, as a result of previous infectious diseases (meningitis, encephalitis, syphilis, etc.)

1. Functional psychosis - with a physically intact brain, paranoid deviations occur.

2. Intoxication. The cause of intoxication psychosis is the abuse of alcohol, drugs, and poisons. Under the influence of toxins they are affected nerve fibers, which leads to irreversible consequences and complicated psychoses.

3. Reactive. After suffering psychological trauma, psychosis often occurs, panic attacks, hysteria, and increased emotional excitability.

4. Traumatic. Due to traumatic brain injuries, psychosis can manifest itself in the form of hallucinations, unreasonable fears, and obsessive states.

Self-injurious behavior "Patomimia"

Self-harming behavior in adolescents is expressed in self-hatred, and causing pain to oneself as a punishment for one’s weakness. In adolescence, children cannot always express their love, hatred, or fear, and auto-aggression helps to cope with this problem. Often pathomimia is accompanied by alcoholism, drug addiction or dangerous sports.

Seasonal depression

Behavior disorder is expressed in apathy, depression, increased fatigue, and general decline vital energy. All these are signs of seasonal depression, which mainly affects women. The causes of seasonal depression lie in decreased daylight hours. If loss of strength, drowsiness and melancholy began in late autumn and last until spring, this is seasonal depression. The production of serotonin and melatonin, hormones responsible for mood, is influenced by the presence of bright sunlight, and if it is not there, the necessary hormones go into “hibernation”.

Sexual perversion

The psychology of sexual perversion changes from year to year. Certain sexual inclinations do not correspond to modern moral standards and generally accepted behavior. Different times and different cultures have their own understanding of the norm. What can be considered sexual perversion today:

Fetishism. The object of sexual desire becomes clothing or an inanimate object.
Egsbisionism. Sexual satisfaction is achieved only in public, by demonstrating one's genitals.
Voyeurism. Does not require direct participation in sexual intercourse, and is content to spy on the sexual intercourse of others.

Pedophilia. A painful urge to satisfy one’s sexual passion with children who have not reached puberty.
Sadomasochism. Sexual satisfaction is possible only in the case of causing or receiving physical pain, or humiliation.

Senesthopathy

In psychology, senestopathy is one of the symptoms of hypochondria or depressive delirium. The patient feels pain, burning, tingling, for no particular reason. In a severe form of senesthopathy, the patient complains of freezing of the brain, itching of the heart and itching in the liver. Diagnosis of senestopathy begins with a complete medical examination to exclude somatic and nonspecific symptoms of diseases of the internal organs.

Negative Twin Syndrome

Negative twin delusion syndrome is also called Capgras syndrome. Psychiatry has not yet decided whether to consider this independent disease or a symptom. A patient with negative twin syndrome is sure that one of his loved ones, or himself, has been replaced. All negative actions (crashed a car, stole a candy bar in a supermarket), all this is attributed to the double. Of the possible reasons of this syndrome called the destruction of the connection between visual perception and emotional perception, due to defects in the fusiform gyrus.

Irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation is expressed in bloating, flatulence, and impaired bowel movements. The most common cause of IBS is stress. Approximately 2/3 of all sufferers of IBS are women, and more than half of them suffer from mental disorders. Treatment for IBS is systemic and includes medications to relieve constipation, flatulence, or diarrhea, as well as antidepressants to relieve anxiety or depression.

Chronic fatigue syndrome

It is already reaching epidemic proportions. This is especially noticeable in large cities, where the pace of life is faster and the mental stress on a person is enormous. The symptoms of the disorder are quite variable and treatment at home is possible if this is the initial form of the disease. Frequent headache, drowsiness throughout the day, fatigue, even after a vacation or weekend, food allergies, decreased memory and inability to concentrate are all symptoms of CFS.

Burnout syndrome

Burnout syndrome among medical workers occurs after 2-4 years of work. The work of doctors is connected with constant stress, doctors often feel dissatisfied with themselves, with the patient, or feel helpless. After a certain time, they are overtaken by emotional exhaustion, expressed in indifference to other people’s pain, cynicism, or outright aggression. Doctors are taught to treat other people, but they don’t know how to deal with their own problem.

Vascular dementia

It is provoked by impaired blood circulation in the brain and is a progressive disease. Those with high blood pressure should be attentive to their health. arterial pressure, blood sugar, or one of your close relatives suffered from vascular dementia. How long people live with this diagnosis depends on the severity of the brain damage and how carefully loved ones care for the patient. On average, after diagnosis, the patient's life expectancy is 5-6 years, subject to appropriate treatment and care.

Stress and adjustment disorder

Stress and behavioral adaptation disorders are quite persistent. Behavioral adaptation disorder usually manifests itself in within three months after the stress itself. As a rule, this is a strong shock, the loss of a loved one, a disaster, violence, etc. Behavioral adaptation disorder is expressed in violation of moral rules accepted in society, senseless vandalism, and actions dangerous for your own life or that of others.
Without appropriate treatment, stress disorder of behavioral adaptation can last up to three years.

Suicidal behavior

As a rule, adolescents have not yet fully formed their idea of ​​death. Frequent suicide attempts are caused by the desire to relax, take revenge, and get away from problems. They do not want to die forever, but only for a while. Nevertheless, these attempts may be successful. To prevent suicidal behavior in adolescents, prevention should be carried out. Trust relationship in the family, learning to cope with stress and resolve conflict situations - this significantly reduces the risk of suicidal feelings.

Madness

Madness is an outdated concept to define a whole range of mental disorders. Most often, the term madness is used in painting, in literature, along with another term - “madness”. By definition, insanity, or insanity, could be temporary, caused by pain, passion, obsession, and was generally treated with prayer or magic.

Tafophilia

Taphophilia manifests itself in an attraction to cemeteries and funeral rituals. The reasons for taphophilia mainly lie in cultural and aesthetic interest in monuments, rites and rituals. Some old necropolises are more like museums, and the atmosphere of the cemetery is peaceful and reconciles with life. Taphophiles are not interested in dead bodies or thoughts about death, and only have a cultural and historical interest. As a rule, taphophilia does not require treatment unless visiting cemeteries develops into obsessive OCD behavior.

Anxiety

Anxiety in psychology is unmotivated fear, or fear for minor reasons. In a person’s life, there is “useful anxiety”, which is a defense mechanism. Anxiety is the result of an analysis of the situation and a forecast of the consequences, how real the danger is. In the case of neurotic anxiety, a person cannot explain the reasons for his fear.

Trichotillomania

What is trichotillomania, and is it a mental disorder? Of course, trichotillomania belongs to the group of OCD and is aimed at tearing out one’s hair. Sometimes hair is pulled out unconsciously, and the patient may eat personal hair, which leads to gastrointestinal problems. Typically, trichotillomania is a reaction to stress. The patient feels a burning sensation in hair follicle on the head, face, body and after pulling out, the patient feels peace. Sometimes patients with trichotillomania become recluses because they are embarrassed by their appearance and ashamed of their behavior. Recent studies have revealed that patients with trichotillomania have damage in a certain gene. If these studies are confirmed, treatment for trichotillomania will be more successful.

Hikikomori

It is quite difficult to fully study the phenomenon of hikikomori. Basically, hikikomori deliberately isolate themselves from the outside world, and even from their family members. They do not work and do not leave their room unless absolutely necessary. They maintain contact with the world via the Internet, and can even work remotely, but they exclude communication and meetings in real life. Often hikikomori suffer from mental disorders on the autism spectrum, social phobia, and anxiety disorder personality. In countries with undeveloped economies, hikikomori practically does not occur.

Phobia

Phobia in psychiatry is fear, or excessive anxiety. As a rule, phobias are classified as mental disorders that do not require clinical trials and psychocorrection will do a better job. The exception is already ingrained phobias that go beyond a person’s control, disrupting his normal functioning.

Schizoid personality disorder

The diagnosis of schizoid personality disorder is made on the basis of symptoms characteristic of this disorder.
At schizoid disorder The individual's personality is characterized by emotional coldness, indifference, reluctance to socialize and a tendency to solitude.
Such people prefer to contemplate their inner world and do not share their experiences with loved ones, and are also indifferent to their appearance and how society reacts to it.

Schizophrenia

On the question: is this a congenital or acquired disease, there is no consensus. Presumably, for the appearance of schizophrenia, several factors must combine, such as genetic predisposition, living conditions, and socio-psychological environment. To say that schizophrenia is exclusively hereditary disease it is forbidden.

Selective mutism

Selective mutism in children 3-9 years old manifests itself in selective verbality. As a rule, at this age children go to kindergarten, school and find themselves in new conditions. Shy children have difficulty socializing, and this is reflected in their speech and behavior. At home they may talk incessantly, but at school they will not utter a sound. Selective mutism is classified as a behavioral disorder, and psychotherapy is indicated.

Encopresis

Sometimes parents ask the question: “Encopresis - what is it, and is it a mental disorder?” With encopresis, the child cannot control his feces. He can “big-time” shit his pants and not even understand what’s wrong. If this phenomenon occurs more than once a month and lasts at least six months, the child needs a comprehensive examination, including from a psychiatrist. When potty training a child, parents expect the child to get used to it the first time, and scold the child when he forgets about it. Then the child develops a fear of both the potty and defecation, which can result in mental encopresis and a host of gastrointestinal diseases.

Enuresis

As a rule, it goes away by the age of five, and no special treatment is required. You just need to follow a daily routine, don’t drink a lot of fluids at night, and be sure to empty your bladder before going to bed. Enuresis can also be caused by neurosis due to stressful situations, and traumatic factors for the child should be excluded.

Bedwetting is a major concern in adolescents and adults. Sometimes in such cases there is a developmental anomaly Bladder, and, alas, there is no cure for this, other than using a bedwetting alarm clock.

Often mental disorders are perceived as a person’s character and they are blamed for things that, in fact, they are not guilty of. The inability to live in society, the inability to adapt to everyone is condemned, and the person turns out to be alone with his misfortune. The list of the most common ailments does not cover even a hundredth part of mental disorders, and in each specific case, symptoms and behavior may vary. If you are worried about the condition of a loved one, you should not let the situation take its course. If a problem interferes with your life, then it needs to be solved together with a specialist.

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It is believed that deviations in mental development it is impossible to distinguish a child at an early age, and any inappropriate behavior is considered as a childish whim. However, today specialists can notice many mental disorders already in a newborn, which allows treatment to begin on time.

Neuropsychological signs of mental disorders in children

Doctors have identified a number of syndromes - mental characteristics children most often found in at different ages. The syndrome of functional deficiency of subcortical formations of the brain develops in the prenatal period. It is characterized by:

• Emotional instability, expressed in frequent changes mood;
• Increased fatigue and associated low work capacity;
• Pathological stubbornness and laziness;
• Sensitivity, capriciousness and uncontrollability in behavior;
• Long-term enuresis (often up to 10-12 years);
• Underdevelopment of fine motor skills;
• Manifestations of psoriasis or allergies;
• Appetite and sleep disorders;
• Slow development of graphic activities (drawing, handwriting);
• Tics, grimacing, screaming, uncontrollable laughter.

The syndrome is quite difficult to correct, since due to the fact that the frontal regions are not formed, most often deviations in the child’s mental development are accompanied by intellectual disability.

Dysgenetic syndrome associated with functional deficiency of brain stem formations can manifest itself in children up to 1.5 years of age. Its main features are:

• Disharmonious mental development with displacement of stages;
• Facial asymmetries, irregular teeth growth and imbalance of the body formula;
• Difficulty falling asleep;
• Abundance age spots and moles;
• Distortion of motor development;
• Diathesis, allergies and disorders of the endocrine system;
• Problems in developing neatness skills;
• Encopresis or enuresis;
• Distorted pain threshold;
• Violations of phonemic analysis, school maladjustment;
• Selectivity of memory.

The mental characteristics of children with this syndrome are difficult to correct. Teachers and parents must ensure the child’s neurological health and the development of his vestibular-motor coordination. It should also be taken into account that emotional disorders intensify against the background of fatigue and exhaustion.

The syndrome, associated with the functional immaturity of the right hemisphere of the brain, can appear from 1.5 to 7-8 years. Deviations in the mental development of a child manifest themselves as:

• Mosaic perception;
• Impaired differentiation of emotions;
• Confabulation (fantasizing, fiction);
• Color vision disorders;
• Errors in estimating angles, distances and proportions;
• Distortion of memories;
• Feeling of multiple limbs;
• Violations of stress placement.

To correct the syndrome and reduce the severity of mental disorders in children, it is necessary to ensure the child’s neurological health and pay special attention to the development of visual-figurative and visual-effective thinking, spatial representation, visual perception and memory.

There are also a number of syndromes that develop from 7 to 15 years due to:

• Birth trauma cervical regions spinal cord;
• General anesthesia;
• Concussions;
• Emotional stress;
• Intracranial pressure.

To correct deviations in a child’s mental development, a set of measures is required aimed at developing interhemispheric interaction and ensuring the child’s neurological health.

Mental characteristics of children of different ages

The most important thing in development small child up to 3 years of age is communication with the mother. It is the lack of maternal attention, love and communication that many doctors consider to be the basis for the development of various mental disorders. Doctors call the second reason genetic predisposition transmitted to children from parents.

The period of early childhood is called somatic, when the development of mental functions is directly related to movements. To the most typical manifestations mental disorders in children include digestive and sleep disorders, flinching when harsh sounds, monotonous crying. Therefore, if the baby is anxious for a long time, it is necessary to consult a doctor who will either help diagnose the problem or allay the parents’ fears.

Children aged 3-6 years develop quite actively. Psychologists characterize this period as a psychomotor period, when the reaction to stress can manifest itself in the form of stuttering, tics, nightmares, neuroticism, irritability, affective disorders and fears. As a rule, this period is quite stressful, since usually at this time the child begins to attend preschool educational institutions.

The ease of adaptation in a children's team largely depends on psychological, social and intellectual preparation. Mental disorders in children of this age may arise due to increased loads, for which they are not prepared. It is quite difficult for hyperactive children to get used to new rules that require perseverance and concentration.

At the age of 7-12 years, mental disorders in children can manifest themselves as depressive disorders. Quite often, for self-affirmation, children choose friends with similar problems and a way of self-expression. But even more often in our time, children replace real communication with virtual communication. in social networks. The impunity and anonymity of such communication contribute to further alienation, and existing disorders can quickly progress. In addition, prolonged concentration in front of a screen affects the brain and can cause epileptic seizures.

Deviations in the mental development of a child at this age, in the absence of a reaction from adults, can lead to quite serious consequences, including sexual development disorders and suicide. It is also important to monitor the behavior of girls, who often during this period begin to be dissatisfied with their appearance. Anorexia nervosa may develop, which is severe psychosomatic disorder, capable of irreversibly disrupting metabolic processes in organism.

Doctors also note that at this time mental disorders in children can develop into the manifest period of schizophrenia. If you do not react in time, pathological fantasies and overvalued hobbies can develop into delusional ideas with hallucinations, changes in thinking and behavior.

Deviations in a child’s mental development can manifest themselves in different ways. In some cases, parents’ fears are not confirmed, to their delight, and sometimes the help of a doctor is really needed. Treatment of mental disorders can and should be carried out only by a specialist who has sufficient experience to make a correct diagnosis, and success largely depends not only on correctly selected medicines, but also from family support.

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