Why Do Many Children Have Mental Health Problems?

 Why Do Many Children Have Mental Health Problems?

Thirteen-year-old Anjali always had good grades but was expelled from two schools. He refuses to go to his new school, throws tantrums almost every day, and hasn't been to school in the last year and a half. His previous school said he had misbehaved with both staff and students.

Finally, her parents take her to a psychiatrist and after several therapy sessions, they realize that Anjali is dealing with gender identity issues. He was ashamed of his female body and felt uncomfortable sitting with girls.

Priya, 12, lost her parents to Covid-19 and is being raised by her aunt and uncle. He began skipping meals, and his teachers regularly complained of anger management problems. He lost his interest in studying. His uncle and aunt took him to a counselor. Priya told the counselor that she often had suicidal thoughts.

Thirteen-year-old Neha refused to go to school and was so upset about being sent away that her parents realized she needed help. They took him to a therapist, where it was determined that the teenager was a victim of cyberbullying.

Psychiatrists in Mumbai say the number of students suffering from anxiety has doubled in the last five years. The three cases mentioned above are among the lucky cases where parents or guardians sought help before it was too late.

Experts say that mental illness and depression in children and teenagers often go undiagnosed, and parents and teachers can ignore children's calls for help until it's too late.

According to a 2019 study by the Bangalore-based National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience, nearly one in five teenagers in India suffers from some level of mental illness.

The majority of the sample consisted of adolescent boys from urban and nuclear families. They were found to exhibit high-risk behaviors such as drug abuse, casual sex, and speeding, which often put them in conflict with family and the law.

Early childhood anxiety can last a lifetime: Children can (and do) feel anxious about a variety of things. Part of this anxiety is part of growing up, and many children overcome their initial fears. If these anxieties cannot be overcome, or are caused by some kind of trauma, it becomes difficult.

Adolescent anxiety is complex, - says Dr. Sanjay Kumawat, consultant psychiatrist and sexologist at Fortis Hospital in Mulund, Mumbai. This includes complex trauma symptoms, such as post-traumatic stress (forgetfulness or memory loss about specific events).

Dr Sanjeev Ahuja, Consultant Pediatrician, LH Hiranandani Hospital, Mumbai, added:  - Children have a more sensitive and vulnerable mind and are more likely to do this. If not treated with timely counseling and medication, childhood anxiety can last a lifetime.

Children with anxiety can have physical symptoms such as stomach aches, headaches, vomiting, and dizziness, which can lead to reduced academic performance, Dr. Kumavat says. Of course, anxiety does not appear in the same way in all children. For example, Anjali is a very good student. Dr. Kumavat, who is treating her, says that the girl's IQ level is very high, so she is not a late learner.

Treatment with or without drugs: We work on several pediatric cases, including teenagers. I see about 8 to 10 patients a week, but at least 1 to both require emergency admission, -  said Dr. Kumavat.

Of course, there are limited cases where hospitalization is recommended. Mild anxiety can usually be managed with counseling and other treatments, says Dr Fabian Almeida, Consultant Psychiatrist, Fortis Hospital, Kalyan, Mumbai. Medication may be necessary for moderate to severe anxiety that affects your daily life. He added that he sees at least 15 cases a week where seven to eight children have severe anxiety disorders.

Dr. Varshali Vishkar, Consultant Pediatrician and Neonatologist at Motherhood Hospital, Pune, agrees that counseling is an important part of treatment. Counseling can be helpful for children to manage their anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT] is another treatment option to help calm children. However, CBT should only be used when all other options have failed. Parents should help their children participate in hobbies, he added, and activities of their choosing.

Dr. Kumawat is treating Anjali without medicine. We deal with his anxiety, anger, and rage. This is done without medication and with the help of parents and individual counseling. He says that treatment will take at least 6-9 months while we manage his school acceptance and teacher acceptance.

Social media and Covid-19 may have been the trigger: the pandemic and resulting quarantines may have been a public health necessity. But it has also damaged mental health, including among children.

Increased anxiety, avoidance, and clinical depression caused by the pandemic have left many children and youth feeling isolated, hopeless, and helpless. Our bodies are not designed to be sedentary, and lack of physical activity further perpetuates these challenges, says Dr From Mataria, a psychologist at Bhatia Hospital in Mumbai.

Even without a pandemic, there are problems with how we function as a society, especially when it comes to children's mental health. Dr. Ahuja of Hiranandani Hospital believes that anxiety and depression are on the rise among children and adolescents due to the dramatic increase in exposure to social media and the pressure to compete with peers in terms of appearance, school performance, sports, etc. 

Dr. Vishkar agrees that there are several factors other than the pandemic that are affecting the mental health of young people. The main cause of anxiety in teenagers is the fear of growing up and taking responsibility. Many young people, adults, and their parents see themselves living a car life, running around day and night to make a living, feed their families, and fulfill their desires. He added that when children see this kind of mechanical life around them, they are convinced that life is more of a burden than a pleasure.

It's not just society, says Dr. Almeida. - Anxiety can be much more than a mental disorder. A person's genetics may play an important role here, as approximately 40% of cases are related to genetics.

Families can also play an important role when children show signs of stress and anxiety. He tells of one of his patients, a 7-year-old boy who hesitates to speak and stutters. Dr. Almeida said:  - After talking to the parents, we realized that the mother was too worried and too involved. She had too many demands and expectations from her child. The child's symptoms improved significantly when the mother asked him to sit outside the room. room during the therapy session.

As most psychiatrists and counselors say, instead of ignoring behavior problems, given the ever-increasing numbers, what families and teachers can do is to seriously engage with children. As Dr. Mataria says, encouraging movement, participating in outdoor activities, and keeping the endorphins flowing are crucial.