29 Nov Treating Children for Mental Health Disorders
Since persons with mental health issues are already stigmatized in most places, the one thing that occupies the minds of some specialists in their psychiatric practice is treating children for mental health disorders. We will learn more in this article.
Treating Children for Mental Health
Even while it might not be a problem, many individuals outside the medical community may be worried due to the possibility that the children will get addicted to the drug and its negative effects.
It makes sense that giving children medication for a mental, emotional, or behavioural issue is never an exciting experience.
But understanding the prescription process, the functions of drugs, and the disorders they are most effective for can aid in resolving the problem.
When is it Necessary to Treat Children?
In the early days of psychiatry, poor parenting and unfavourable circumstances were blamed for the majority of emotional and behavioural disorders in children.
We now understand that this is untrue; the majority of mental diseases have a medical aetiology. For instance, medicine can treat bipolar disorder, which is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain.
The first line of treatment should always be psychotherapy, but if it doesn’t work, then medication may be the only thing left.
For instance, a child with an anxiety condition who still has concerns about leaving his mother and going to school after six months of regular talk therapy is likely in need of medication.
In a less frequent but more serious scenario, a child has to start taking the proper medicine right away if they pose a threat to themselves or others.
Even when given expert guidance, it can be challenging for parents who lack medical experience but have a lot of love and concern to choose the best course of action.
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How does Medicine Function?
Drugs work at the brain’s synapse, the junction of two nerve cells. Certain medications alter the quantities of different neurotransmitters that travel between nerve cells, reducing the symptoms of mental disease.
The typical duration of treatment for medical conditions is one year. Also, the main goal of pediatric medication is to maintain a regular, stable level of the appropriate neurotransmitter in the child’s brain.
Under the direction of a psychiatrist, the dose can usually be reduced after a year and finally stopped. It’s crucial to taper off gradually in order to avoid withdrawal and keep an eye out for any recurrence of symptoms.
Are Medications for Mental Health Addictive?
Most pharmaceutical medications don’t work like that. If a child’s symptoms return after stopping their medicine, this does not indicate dependency.
The child may need to take the medicine for a longer amount of time since the neurotransmitter balance has not yet been attained.
Although studies have indicated that children who use stimulants to treat their ADHD are at a lower risk of substance use later in life, ADHD medicines are frequently criticized for being addictive.
Are There Side Effects When Treating Mental Disorders?
As with any drug, treating children’s mental health issues with medication may have negative effects.
The most frequent side effects are straightforward, treatable issues like indigestion, insomnia, headaches, and skin rashes that eventually disappear.
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How Can You Make Your Child Take Treatment?
It could be difficult for children to take their medication, but it is necessary since missing doses can be just as harmful as not receiving any treatment at all.
Some children are concerned that taking medicine will substantially change them. They want assurance that medications address the symptoms and do not affect their behaviour.
The ideal strategy is to describe their problem in terms of medicine without putting blame on them.
For instance, most children find it much simpler to understand that they have a chemical imbalance rather than an emotional imbalance.
Administering medicine to your child for a mental condition feels scarier than it needs to be. However, you may make a wise choice if you consult the prescribing psychiatrist and include your child.
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