Transcript Chapter 23
Chapter 23
Children and Adolescents
Prevalence and comorbidity
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
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
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
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
Mental retardation
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Parental Involvement
Group Therapy
Milieu Therapy
Behavioral Modification
Removal and Restraint
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