CAHMS Flashcards
What are some biological factors that cause child psychiatric disorders ?
Temperament
Genetic
Neuro development
Biochemical
What are some psychological/development factors that cause child psychiatric disorders ?
Attachment - important
Learning
Cognitive
Emotional
What are some acute social factors that cause child psychiatric disorders ?
Trauma
Accident
Illness
Death
What are some chronic adversities that cause child psychiatric disorders ?
Social economic
Parental mental illness
Parental loss
Family conflict - violence
Parenting
Abuse ( emotional, sexual or physical )
Exposure to community violence
What are some protective factors against child psychiatric disorders ?
Temperament
Coping strategies
Problem solving
Self esteem
Stability
Secure relationships
Friendships
Achievement
What are some common emotional disorders of childhood and adolescence ?
Generalised anxiety disorder
Separation anxiety disorder
Phobic disorder
OCD
PTSD
Depression
How can generalised anxiety disorder present in children ?
Free floating anxiety
Fear of death or loss of parent
Somatic manifestations ( nausea, abdo pain, sickness, headaches, palpitations )
Panic attacks
How can separation anxiety present in children ?
Anxiety upon separation from attachment figures
Somatic manifestations
Nightmares
School refusal
What are some treatments for children with anxiety disorders ?
Behavioural therapy ( systemic de-sensitisation, response prevention )
Psychotherapies ( family and cognitive therapy )
Anxiolytics - SSRI ( fluoxetine )
What are some symptoms of depressive disorder in children ?
Low mood
Anhedonia
Biological symptoms may not be consistent ( appetite / sleep may not be affected )
Concentration / motivation are generally worse
Anxiety symptoms
What is the treatment for depressive disorders in children ?
CBT
SSRI
Managing underlying or comorbid problems
What are some features of oppositional disorder ?
Uncooperative, unwilling to comply with requests
Frequent temper tantrums
Wilful, defiant
Aggressive
Unless managed tends to escalate
What are some features of conduct disorder ?
Lying
Stealing
Truanting
Violence to people and animals
What are some risk factors of conduct disorder ?
Lack of clear boundaries
Rejection
Family conflict - especially witnessing violence and aggression
Child abuse
Child temperament
Comorbid learning or developmental difficulties
What is the treatment of conduct disorder ?
Consistent care and parenting
Behavioural therapy
School based interventions
Community interventions
What are the key features of ADHD ?
Poor attention and concentration
Physical overactivity
Impulsivity
Needs to occur in more than one environment
Diagnosis after 6 years old
What is the treatment for ADHD in children ?
Mild to moderate - consider parenting and school interventions first
Severe - methylphenidate, lisdexamphetamine
What are some key features of ASD in children ?
Socio/communication difficulties - verbal/non-verbal difficulties
Sensory processing problems
Lack of flexibility in thinking
Needs to occur in more than one environment
What is the treatment for ASD in children ?
No definitive treatment
- psycho-education
- stress reduction
- environmental changes
- treat co-morbidities
What are some key features of eating disorders in children ?
Rare in pre-adolescent period
Increasing prevalence
Delayed puberty and growth issues
What are some dysfunctional attachment types ?
Insecure avoidant - does not value relationship and is independent
Insecure anxious - values relationship but she’s them as unpredictable
Insecure ambivalent - values relationships but unsure how secure they are
Disorganised - does not value relationships and not confident in themselves
