20 Aug 2019

How to identify behavioural disorders in Children


India, a developing country has large population, of whom significant proportions are children attending school. Behavioural problems and psychiatric syndromes in the children are a matter of concern as the consequences can seriously impair their ability to become useful & productive citizens of tomorrow
In the present era where every day we are stepping ahead to technological advancement, with the increasing pressure in children to achieve, breaking up of the families and rapidly changing sociocultural paradigm, rise in the behaviour problems in children are also similarly steep and disrupting.
It is common for children and teens to get into trouble and be irritable or aggressive from time to time, especially during the toddler and early teen years. For instance, a young child may have a temper tantrum or a teenager may talk back or argue with you now and then.
Disordered behaviour is different from typical developmental behaviour because it happens more often than not and causes problems in more than one setting. For example, the behaviour not only affects school and home life but can make friendships and other peer relationships difficult.
Warning signs that your child might have a mental health condition include:
·         Mood changes. Look for feelings of sadness or withdrawal that last at least two weeks or severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships at home or school.
·         Intense feelings. Be aware of feelings of overwhelming fear for no reason sometimes with a racing heart or fast breathing or worries or fears intense enough to interfere with daily activities.
·         Behaviour changes. These include drastic changes in behaviour or personality, as well as dangerous or out-of-control behaviour. Fighting frequently, using weapons and expressing a desire to badly hurt others also are warning signs.
·         Difficulty concentrating. Look for signs of trouble focusing or sitting still, both of which might lead to poor performance in school.
·         Unexplained weight loss. A sudden loss of appetite, frequent vomiting or use of laxatives might indicate an eating disorder.
·         Physical symptoms. Compared with adults, children with a mental health condition might develop headaches and stomach-aches rather than sadness or anxiety.
·         Physical harm. Sometimes a mental health condition leads to self-injury, also called self-harm. This is the act of deliberately harming your own body, such as cutting or burning yourself. Children with a mental health condition also might develop suicidal thoughts or attempt suicide.
·         Substance abuse. Some kids use drugs or alcohol to try to cope with their feelings.

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