The child and adolescent psychiatrist reproduces data on depression and anxiety among young people and recommends parents to pay attention to the main signs
According to a study by the USP Institute of Psychiatry, in Brazil, approximately 26% of children and adolescents between the ages of 5 and 17 have clinical symptoms of anxiety and depression, which require specialized treatment. A survey by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Cananéia Research Institute (IPeC), revealed that 60% of young people aged between 12 and 18 suffer from health-related disorders mental.
In São Paulo alone, 70% of students report symptoms of depression and anxiety, according to the mapping carried out by the Department of Education of the State of São Paulo and the Ayrton Senna Institute, which involved 642 thousand students as part of the SARESP (School Performance Assessment System of the State of Sao Paulo).
Of the group assessed, one student in three declared having difficulty concentrating on what was proposed in class, another 18.8% reported feeling completely exhausted and under pressure, while 18.1% declared having completely lost their sleep due to worries and 13.6% said they had completely lost sleep due to worries. they had lost confidence in themselves.
Dr. Danielle H. Admoni, child and adolescent psychiatrist at the Escola Paulista de Medicina UNIFESP and specialist of the ABP (Brazilian Psychiatric Association), spoke on the topic with Bons Fluidos. Their mission is to help parents identify warning signs and advocate for help.
“Parents must recognize changes in their children’s behavior, validate them and convey responses that can generate safety, as well as seek medical help if necessary”, the expert said. To help, psychiatrist Danielle Admoni lists some of the main signs that deserve attention.
Mental health: 6 signs that your child needs help
Self-harm or self-destructive behavior
When a child or adolescent has a tendency to intentionally harm themselves, it is cause for concern. Typically, self-harm is linked to the inability to manage emotions, making pain a way to disguise thoughts that the person does not know how to deal with. The behavior can also be a negative way of requesting attention, such as a cry for help.
Isolation in the virtual world
Another important point is when the virtual begins to overlap with the real world. “It’s a sign of loss of interest in hanging out with friends and family and engaging in activities that used to give pleasure. Before long, screens end up becoming the greatest (and perhaps only) source of pleasure, causing people to lose young people connect with people and stop having real-world experiences”underlines Danielle Admoni.
Pain and changes in the body
Feeling sick frequently, without a specific cause, may be a symptom of depression or another disorder. The individual usually experiences joint and limb pain, back pain, gastrointestinal problems, excessive tiredness, changes in psychomotor activity, and changes in appetite (whether he eats more than normal or less than usual).
Mood changes
Everyone has mood swings, after all it is impossible to be happy all day or every day. However, if you notice that your child experiences continued feelings of discouragement, sadness, guilt, lack of motivation, excessive crying, apathy, irritation, low self-esteem, distress and restlessness, to the point of making him unable to carry out his daily tasks, record as yet another warning sign of a possible disturbance.
According to the psychiatrist, the mix of emotions ends up confusing the young man himself, worsening the conditions. “The feeling of lack of control over one’s feelings can lead to violence in people predisposed to this behavior, especially if they are facing frustrations”says Dr. Danielle Admoni.
Sleep disorders
This is an important criterion in the diagnosis of various types of disorders, including depression. Pay attention to both insomnia and hypersomnia, when you experience excessive daytime sleepiness and/or excessive sleep duration.
Decrease in academic performance
Another key sign to identify that something is wrong. Depression, for example, changes the way and speed of reasoning, as well as concentration. It also shows a lack of interest in studies, school activities, and even the desire to go to school.
Depression is not nice!
“In the midst of these situations, the importance of family support, acceptance, encouragement of recreational activities and the establishment of a healthy routine (nutrition, sleep and exercise) is evident. A good example is not to underestimate never what your child is doing. Show that you understand his feelings. This posture will make him feel open to expressing his emotions. And when he seeks you, give him his full attention. Listen to everything until the end, without interruptions. Leave the your opinions only when you are sure that he has said everything he needs to”says the professional.
“Finally, always be affectionate and show that you are a support. This way, your child will know that he has someone in you to turn to. It is worth remembering that when considering the possible development of a mental disorder, it is necessary to use common terms sense and keep in mind that the last word should always be that of the clinical psychologist or psychiatrist”concludes Danielle Admoni.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
