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Child Psychiatrists in Coimbatore
Child Psychiatrists
Since children aren’t capable of verbally expressing their problems, or even sometimes understanding their problems themselves, mental health issues find it easy to hide in plain sight. Caregivers need to be attentive about unusual changes in a child’s behaviour. Consult a child psychologist to increase awareness about children’s mental health issues so that you will be aware of all the warning signs you might need to be aware of, while your child is growing.
You need some knowledge to understand how to spot a problem, how to support a child suffering from a mental health issue, and how to solve the issue. A professional will guide you because only a professional will have the eye to spot the signs of a mental health issue as opposed to what it simply a child’s whim.
- Types
- SYMPTOMS
- TREATMENT
Common conditions that occur in children
- Eating Disorders– One of the commonest conditions in children these days suffer from, is eating disorder. Eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia nervosa are found in children as well nowadays, as opposed to older teenagers about ten years back. These conditions might have some underlying factors like low confidence, trauma, abuse, fat shaming, and mood disorders. Eating disorder might involve irregular eating, inconsistent appetite, binge eating and lack of nutrient intake that causes harmful effects in the body.
- Anxiety Disorder– This is also very common in children, especially teenagers. Adolescence is the time when a child goes through a plethora of physical and mental changes. Anxiety disorder is often a bi-product of these changes. Conditions like social phobia, obsessive compulsive disorder, and post traumatic stress disorder can be found in children. These conditions arise due to bullying, physical or mental abuse, extreme academic pressure, peer pressure, parental pressure, loneliness, and disturbing family issues.
- ADHD- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is an emerging disorder found commonly in children. Children having difficulty paying attention, having limited concentration and focus, along with hyperactivity may suggest that one is suffering from ADHD. The reason of ADHD may be environmental or genetics.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder– This condition usually affects children at an early age. The condition makes it difficult for children to socialize and perform daily routine tasks. These children find themselves unable to focus as well, among other symptoms.
- Depression- One of the commonest conditions adolescents go through is depression. There are underlying conditions to depression like bad peers, troubled social life, hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, anxiety, trauma, and more. Depression often leads to severe mental and physical pain overtime. It also makes children and teenagers more susceptible to suicidal thoughts than young adults. The signs of depression must not be ignored.
What are the signs to look for?
- Behaviour Changes- Sudden shifts in behaviour and personality may indicate that a child is suffering from a psychological condition. If a child expresses feeling of recurrent sadness and intent to hurt others that child needs professional help. Violent behaviour, self harm, being unsocial, and lack of appetite are some of the sign to look out for.
- Substance Abuse- One of the common coping method adolescents fall back on is alcohol or drugs. Substances like alcohol and drugs numb down anxiety and might make a person feel euphoric when depressed. These substances have severe effects on the body and the mind. If a child is found to use substance, then that child should be taken to a psychologist.
- Physical Symptoms- Psychological conditions can lead to drastic physical changes like weight loss or excessive weight gain. Symptoms like headache and stomach aches are common in children suffering from anxiety and depression.
- Lack of Concentration- Children are often misunderstood when they underperform in academics. Lack of concentration is very common in children that can be caused by anxiety and depression. A child suffering from autism or ADHD also faces difficulties to focus. A dyslexic child can fall behind in academics and just be branded as a lazy student.
- Psychotherapy- The first step to deal with these conditions is to go to a therapist. A therapist understands these conditions as different from an otherwise healthy child just acting out. A professional therapist will also know how to delicately approach the child facing these problems. These involves mental exercises and talk therapy.
- Medication- Medical treatment, if given, must be given after consulting a reputed psychiatrist. If a condition is severe; a professional will prescribe medication.
Dr. Syed Ummar
Consultant Psychiatrist
1 in 6 people are thought to suffer with an child psychology problems at any one time
Dr Syed Ummar is an experienced and highly empathetic Psychiatrist in coimbatore who works with young people and adults with often complex mental health problems. he bases many of his interventions on the cognitive behavioural approach.
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