Transcript Chapter 23

Chapter 23
Children and Adolescents
Prevalence and comorbidity
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½ of all Americans will meet criteria for DSM-IV disorder
1 in 5 children and adolescents suffer from major
psychiatric disorder
2/3 of all young people are not getting the help they need
Suicide is 3rd leading cause of death in age 15-24 yrs
and 6th in age 5-14 yrs
Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General,
identified barriers to assessment and treatment remain
Theory
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Childs vulnerability to psychopathology is result complex
interactions between biological, psychological, genetic and
environmental variables
Younger children harder to diagnose than older children
 Genetic Factors: autism, bipolar, mental disorders, ADHD,
mental retardation
 Biochemical Factors: alterations in nr-transmitters with decrease
in serotonin and norepinephrine related to depression & suicide
 Environmental Factors: put stress on children & adolescents and
shape their development
Resiliency
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It is assumed that constitutional resiliency and a
supportive environment play roles in keeping disorders
from development
Studies have shown that resilient child has following
characteristics:
 Temperament that adapts to changes in environment
 Ability to form nurturing relationships
 Ability to distance self from emotional chaos in family
 Social intelligence
 Ability to problem solve
Mental health assessment
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Provides info about problems with thinking,
feeling, and behaving:
Developmental assessment; provides info about
childs maturational level when compared to
chronological age, identifies developmental lags
and deficits
 Methods of collecting data: interviewing, screening,
testing, observing, interacting with child, histories
from parent
 Structured interview and observation
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Mental retardation
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Most common developmental disorder
Degree of impairment is determined by
assessing IQ with standardized tests such as
Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children
Cause may be hereditary
IQ level 50-70
Diagnosis
 May
have impairments in communication skills, social
interactions, self care abilities and disruptive behavior
depending on severity
PDD, Autism and Asperger’s
syndrome
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PDD (Pervasive Developmental Disorder)
 Characterized by severe & pervasive impairment in
reciprocal social interaction & communication skills
usually accompanied by stereotyped behavior,
interests and activities
Autism
 Behavioral syndrome resulting from abnormal brain
function of unknown etiology
Asperger’s syndrome
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Asperger’s Syndrome
 Differs from autism in that it appears to have
later onset and does cause delay in cognitive
and language development
Assessment: 3 presenting characteristics
Assessment Guidelines
Diagnosis: Defensive Coping, Ineffective Coping
Implementation: Ultimate long term outcome is
to help children reach full potential by fostering
developmental competencies and coping skills
Anxiety disorder
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Anxiety becomes problem when child or adolescent fails to move
beyond fears associated with certain developmental stages or when
anxiety interferes with normal functioning
Most common mental disorder in this age group
Symptoms same as for adult: agoraphobia, GAD, panic disorder,
social phobia, OCD, PTSD
 Separation Anxiety Disorder: anxiety when separated from
parents or home
 PTSD; occurs at any age, after a traumatic event
 Assessment Guidelines
 Diagnosis: Anxiety, Fear, Ineffective Coping
 Implementation: Tx on outpt basis with CBT and SSRI’s
Mood disorders
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Symptoms of depression are similar to adult symptoms
Adolescents more apt to have psychomotor retardation and
hypersomnia
Depressive symptoms expressed as irritability and aggressiveness
Acting out behaviors can be mood disorder
 Assessment: Assessment Guidelines
 Diagnosis: Hopelessness, Ineffective Coping
 Implementation; suicidal pts hospitalized for evaluation and tx
with antidepressants and mood stabilizers. Long term outcome is
help pt reach full potential
ADHD and disruptive disorders
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ADHD
 Show inappropriate degree of inattention, impulsiveness and hyperactivity
Disruptive Behavioral Disorders
 Oppositional Defiant Disorder
 Conduct Disorder
Assessment: assessment guidelines per disorder
Diagnosis; risk for other directed violence
Implementation
 Behavioral modifications & medications
 Correction of faulty personality disorder
 Control aggressive behavior
 Family involvement
Tourette’s disorder
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Involves motor & verbal tics that cause marked distress
& significant impairment in social and occupational
function
Tics may appear as early as age 2 but average at age 7
Duration is lifelong but can have periods of remission
 Assessment; obsessions, compulsions, hyperactivity
 Diagnosis: Anxiety, Impaired social isolation
 Implementation: Focus on treatment helping child,
family and school understand and cope with tic
behavior
Therapeutic modalities for child and
adolescent disorders
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Parental Involvement
Group Therapy
Milieu Therapy
Behavioral Modification
Removal and Restraint
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Quiet room/ Time out
Therapeutic Holding
CBT
Play therapy/ Dramatic play therapy
Therapeutic games
Bibliotherapy
Therapeutic Drawing
Music therapy/ Movement and Dance Therapy
Recreational Therapy