Childhood & Adolescent developmental disorders

Question 1

What are the difficulties with identification and diagnosis of childhood and adolescent psychological problems?

Answer 1

1. When considering what might be clinically relevant behaviour in children–we first must consider what is normal for a particular age(E.g. bedwetting in infancy maybe normal but not normal after the age of five)
2. Diagnosing a psychological problem is dependent on individual communicating how they experience the distress of the problems are causing them– due to immaturity, and lack of insight children will feel that something is wrong, but maybe unable to label it
3. Differences in culture norms will affect other chartered behaviours are seen as problematic not.
4. During childhood and adolescence development changes occur rapidly– psychological problems can escalate quickly and dramatically– they need to be identified early in order to minimise psychological damage.

Question 2

What other two types of behaviour that seen in childhood psychiatric problems?

Answer 2

• Externalising disorders
• Internalising disorders

Question 3

What are externalising disorders?

Answer 3

• Disorders based on outward directed behaviour e.g. aggressiveness, hyperactivity, e.g. aggressiveness, hyperactivity, non-compliance or impulsiveness
• Distracted disorder such as ADHD
• They’re more common in early/ Middle childhood

Question 4

What are internalising disorders?

Answer 4

• Disorders based on inward looking and withdrawing behaviours e.g. Depression, anxiety, and active attempts to socially withdraw.
• Separation anxiety, generalised anxiety and major depressive disorder.
• More common in Middle childhood - adolescence

Question 5

List the ways childhood psychopathologies may link to adult mental health

Question 6

What is the prevalence of childhood and adolescent psychological disorders?

Answer 6

• 10 to 20% of children and adolescents have psychological disorders
• Boys exhibit higher prevailing than girls - even thoughin adulthhood, the reverse is true .
• Most common in boys = conduct disorder
• UK ONS survey (2004);
  
  • Anxiety disorders= 3.7%
  • Conduct disorders = 5.8%
  • Hypokinetic disorder= 1.5%
  • ASD= 0. 9%
• Comorbidity= around 2% of children had movement disorder

Question 7

What risk factors associated with childhood and adolescent psychological disorders?

Answer 7

• Genetics
• Temperamental
• Socio-cognitive deficits
• Emotional regulation
• Attachment style
• Parenting style
• Family resources and poverty

Question 8

What are the main features associated with ADHD?

Answer 8

A persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity– impulsivity that is that a significantly higher rate than would be expected to child at that developmental age