7 Common Psychological Disorders in Children with Case Studies

#ChildPsychologists #MentalHealth #Psychotherapy #PsychologicalDisorders

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

Anxiety Disorder

ADHD

ASD

Depression

OCD

PTSD

Conduct Disorder

Case Study 1 : The Defiant Child

Case Study 2 : The Bed-wetting problem

Case Study 3 : The Gaming addicted kid

Case Study 4 : The Hyperactive child

Children can experience a range of psychological disorders that can affect their emotional and social well-being. These disorders can manifest in various ways, such as behavioral problems, mood swings, academic difficulties, and social isolation. If left untreated, these disorders can have long-term effects on the child's mental health and overall well-being.

Fortunately, psychotherapy has been proven to be an effective treatment for many psychological disorders in children. Child psychologists use various types of psychotherapy to help children manage and overcome their psychological issues. In this article, we will discuss seven common psychological disorders in children and how child psychologists can treat them through psychotherapy.

1. Anxiety Disorders:

#AnxietyDisorders #CBT #CopingSkills

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorders among children. These disorders can manifest in various ways, such as excessive worry, fear, or nervousness. Children with anxiety disorders may also experience physical symptoms like stomachaches, headaches, and fatigue.

Child psychologists can use cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat anxiety disorders in children. CBT helps children learn to recognize and challenge negative thoughts that trigger their anxiety. It also teaches them coping skills to manage their anxiety, such as deep breathing and muscle relaxation techniques.

2. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):

#ADHD #BehavioralTherapy #ParentTraining

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a child's ability to concentrate and control their behavior. Children with ADHD may struggle with impulse control, hyperactivity, and inattention.

Child psychologists can use behavioral therapy to treat ADHD in children. Behavioral therapy helps children learn new skills to manage their behavior and develop better social skills. It also helps parents learn strategies to manage their child's behavior at home and in school.

3. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD):

#ASD #BehavioralTherapy #SocialSkillsTraining

ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a child's communication, social interaction, and behavior. Children with ASD may struggle with social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors.

Child psychologists can use applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy to treat ASD in children. ABA therapy focuses on teaching children new skills and behaviors through positive reinforcement. It also helps children develop better social skills and communication.

4. Depression

#Depression #PlayTherapy #ArtTherapy #CBT #CopingStrategies Depression is a mood disorder that can affect children as well as adults. Children with depression may have feelings of sadness or hopelessness and lose interest in activities they once enjoyed. They may also experience changes in appetite, sleep patterns, and energy levels.

Child psychologists can treat depression in children through various types of psychotherapy, including play therapy, art therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Play therapy and art therapy can help children express their feelings in a nonverbal way, while CBT can help children identify negative thoughts and learn healthy coping strategies.

5: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

#OCD #CBT #ERP #CopingStrategies Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a disorder that causes children to have unwanted thoughts, ideas, or sensations, which leads them to perform repetitive behaviors or rituals. For example, a child with OCD may feel the need to wash their hands excessively or check things repeatedly.

Child psychologists can treat OCD in children through cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy. CBT helps children identify negative thought patterns and develop coping strategies, while ERP helps children confront their fears and resist performing compulsive behaviors.

6: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

#PTSD #TFCBT #PlayTherapy #CopingStrategies Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that can occur after a child experiences a traumatic event, such as abuse, natural disasters, or accidents. Children with PTSD may experience flashbacks, nightmares, and avoid situations that trigger memories of the traumatic event.

Child psychologists can treat PTSD in children through various types of psychotherapy, including trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) and play therapy. TF-CBT helps children process their trauma and develop coping strategies, while play therapy helps children express their emotions in a safe and non-threatening environment.

7: Conduct Disorder

#ConductDisorder #BehavioralTherapy #FamilyTherapy Conduct Disorder is a disorder that causes children to have persistent and repetitive patterns of behavior that violate the rights of others or societal norms. Children with Conduct Disorder may engage in aggressive or destructive behaviors, such as bullying or stealing.

Child psychologists can treat Conduct Disorder in children through various types of psychotherapy, including behavioral therapy and family therapy. Behavioral therapy can help children learn adaptive behaviors and reduce disruptive behaviors, while family therapy can help improve communication and relationships within the family.

CASE STUDY 1- The Defiant child

Deepali ( name changed), a 16-year-old girl in class 11, had been struggling with her parents' overbearing behavior for months. Her parents, both doctors, were extremely protective of her and didn't trust her with her choice of friends. They often kept her under constant surveillance, and she was not allowed to attend parties or go on school picnics with her friends. This behavior was making her feel suffocated and trapped, and she began to feel defiant towards her parents.

As a result, her grades suffered, and she became quite unruly and rebellious. One day, she didn't return home after her tuition class, and her parents were unable to locate her. The police were informed, and they found Deepali at a nearby park at midnight, with her books. She was brought back home, and her parents realized that they needed to seek help for their daughter.

Dr. Sudeshna Biswas, a renowned psychotherapist, was recommended by a family friend, and her parents immediately took her to her clinic. She began her counseling sessions by talking to Deepali and trying to understand her issues. She listened to her patiently and empathetically, allowing her to express her feelings and concerns.

Dr. Biswas helped Deepali understand that her parents' behavior was due to their concern for her well-being, and she also made her realize that her behavior was not helping the situation. She encouraged her to communicate openly with her parents and try to find a middle ground. She also taught her coping mechanisms to manage her feelings of suffocation and anxiety.

Through psychotherapy, Deepali gradually began to recover. She started communicating more openly with her parents and developed a better understanding of their concerns. Dr. Biswas also helped her improve her self-esteem and develop healthy coping mechanisms to deal with stress and anxiety.

Within a few months, Deepali's relationship with her parents improved, and she was able to find a middle ground with them. Her grades improved, and she became more focused on her studies. She learned to communicate effectively and manage her feelings of suffocation and anxiety, and she was grateful for the help and support she received from Dr. Biswas.

Case Study 2 - The Bed-wetting problem

Vishal ( name changed), a 9-year-old boy from Noida, had been struggling with nocturnal enuresis, commonly known as bedwetting, for several years. His parents were highly dominating, obsessive about his grades and often verbally abused him for not performing well in his studies. Vishal was a shy and introverted child, who felt isolated and unsocial in school.

Vishal's parents had tried various home remedies and medications, but nothing seemed to work for him. They were frustrated and embarrassed about their son's bedwetting issue and often blamed him for it. They thought that he was just being lazy and irresponsible, which made Vishal feel even more ashamed and helpless.

Finally, Vishal's parents decided to take him to a child psychologist, Dr Sudeshna Biswas, who specialized in treating children with emotional and behavioral problems. During the initial assessment, Dr Biswas found that Vishal's bedwetting was most likely a result of the underlying emotional distress caused by his family and social environment.

Dr Biswas started Vishal's counseling sessions by first establishing a warm and empathetic relationship with him. She encouraged him to express his feelings and thoughts openly, without the fear of being judged or criticized. She also involved Vishal's parents in the therapy sessions, to help them understand the impact of their behavior on their son's mental health.

Through psychotherapy, Dr Biswas helped Vishal understand the root cause of his bedwetting problem and how it was linked to his anxiety and fear of failure. She taught him coping skills to manage his emotions and stress, such as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, and positive self-talk. Dr Biswas also worked on improving Vishal's self-esteem and self-confidence, by encouraging him to explore his interests and strengths outside of academic performance.

Over time, Vishal began to feel more relaxed, confident, and in control of his emotions. He started to participate in social activities and developed new friendships in school. His bedwetting problem gradually diminished, and he was able to sleep peacefully through the night. His parents also noticed a significant improvement in his behavior and attitude, and they became more supportive and nurturing towards him.

Case Study 3 - The Gaming addicted kid

Here we present an interesting case of a 11-year-old boy from Gurugram, Gaurav (name changed) who had developed an addiction to mobile games. He was a single child and his parents were both working and did not have much time for him, which left him feeling neglected and bored. Gaurav found solace in playing mobile games, and soon it became an obsession. He started to spend hours on his phone, neglecting his schoolwork and other responsibilities. One day, he even stole his father's credit card and spent a large amount on in-app purchases for his favorite game.

Gaurav's behavior became a cause for concern, as his grades started to drop, and he was caught playing mobile games during his school hours. He had no shame or guilt about his actions and was often aggressive when confronted. His parents tried to restrict his screen time and take away his phone, but he would become angry and irritable, making the situation worse.

Finally, Gaurav's parents decided to take him to Dr Sudeshna Biswas, a child psychologist who specialized in treating children with addictive behavior problems. During the initial assessment, Dr Biswas found that Gaurav's addiction was rooted in his feelings of neglect and boredom. She also noticed that Gaurav had low self-esteem and was using gaming as a coping mechanism to escape from his problems.

Dr Biswas started Gaurav's counseling sessions by first establishing trust and rapport with him. She explained to him the harmful effects of excessive screen time and how it was affecting his mental health and academic performance. She also involved Gaurav's parents in the therapy sessions, to help them understand the importance of spending quality time with their son.

Through psychotherapy, Dr Biswas helped Gaurav develop a more positive and realistic self-image. She taught him coping skills, such as assertiveness training and problem-solving, to help him manage his emotions and behavior. Dr Biswas also worked on improving Gaurav's social skills and encouraged him to engage in more constructive activities, such as sports and hobbies.

Over time, Gaurav's behavior and attitude improved significantly. He started to take an interest in other activities and hobbies, and his grades started to improve. He also developed better communication skills and was able to express his feelings and needs in a more assertive manner. His addiction to mobile games gradually diminished, and he was able to enjoy technology in a more balanced and healthy way.

Case Study 4 - The Hyperactive child

Dushyant (name changed), an 8-year-old boy from Faridabad, was considered a hyperactive child in his class 3. He was always restless and couldn't sit in one place for long. He was very active in his classes and always wanted to play with his friends. He never paid attention to his teachers and couldn't remember anything from his classes. Even though his mother asked him about his classes, he couldn't tell her anything, not even his homework.

Dushyant's class teacher noticed his behavior and advised his parents to take him to a psychotherapist to rule out ADHD. After a few days, Dushyant's parents took him to Dr. Sudeshna Biswas, a well-known psychotherapist in delhi.

Dr. Biswas conducted a thorough Psychological assessment of Dushyant's behavior and found that he had symptoms of ADHD. She explained to his parents that ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a child's ability to focus, concentrate, and control their behavior. She also told them that ADHD can be treated with psychotherapy.

Dr. Biswas started with psychotherapy sessions with Dushyant, where she talked to him and helped him understand his behavior. She used play therapy to make him comfortable and engaged in the sessions. During these sessions, Dr. Biswas taught Dushyant relaxation techniques to help him calm down and focus.

Dr. Biswas also worked with Dushyant's parents, educating them on how to deal with their son's behavior. She gave them tips on how to communicate with Dushyant and how to help him with his homework.

After a few weeks of counseling sessions, Dushyant's behavior started to improve. He became more focused and attentive in his classes. He started to remember his homework and could tell his mother about his classes. He was also able to sit in one place for longer durations without being restless.

Over time, Dushyant continued with his counseling sessions with Dr. Biswas, and his progress continued. He was finally able to overcome his ADHD symptoms and lead a normal life like any other child.

Case Study 5 - The Slow Learner

Shreya (name changed) was a 10-year-old girl in class 6 who was considered a dull student and a slow learner by her school teachers and even her parents. She was very active on the playground and always wanted to play with her friends. Her parents were concerned about her poor academic performance and were advised by her class teacher to visit a psychotherapist to help with her learning disabilities.

Her parents took her to Dr. Sudeshna Biswas, a renowned psychotherapist, to get her evaluated. After conducting a thorough evaluation, Dr. Biswas found that Shreya was quite a normal girl with good intelligence. However, she had a fear of learning, which was affecting her performance in school.

Dr. Biswas started her counseling sessions with Shreya by trying to understand her feelings and concerns. She listened to her patiently and empathetically, allowing her to express her fears and anxieties. Dr. Biswas encouraged Shreya to identify her strengths and weaknesses and to focus on her strengths while trying to overcome her weaknesses.

Through psychotherapy, Dr. Biswas helped Shreya overcome her fear of learning. She taught her various techniques to help her concentrate better and to develop a positive attitude towards learning. Dr. Biswas also encouraged Shreya to participate in extra-curricular activities that would help her build her confidence and self-esteem.

As a result of the psychotherapy, Shreya began to show improvement in her academic performance. She started doing her homework regularly and began to perform better in her tests. Her teachers were impressed with her progress, and her parents were delighted to see their daughter's newfound confidence.

By the end of her counselling sessions, Shreya's fear of learning was overcome, and she became a more confident and focused student. She learned to identify her strengths and weaknesses and to use them to her advantage. She was grateful for the help and support she received from Dr. Biswas, and her parents were thankful for the positive changes they saw in their daughter.

Case Study 6 - The Big Bully

Angad (name changed), a 9th-grade student from Kalkaji in delhi, had a reputation as a bully at his school. He frequently beat up his classmates and even his younger brother at home. His family life was disturbed by an alcoholic and abusive father, who often beat his mother and him. Angad felt powerless in the face of his father's aggression and took out his frustration on others, particularly weaker and vulnerable individuals.

One day, with reference from a close relative Angad's mother decided to take him to Dr. Sudeshna Biswas, a child psychologist who specialized in treating children with behavioral problems. During the initial assessment, Dr. Biswas found that Angad's aggressive behavior was rooted in his feelings of helplessness and insecurity. She also noticed that Angad had low self-esteem and was using violence as a means to gain control and power over others.

Dr. Biswas started Angad's counseling sessions by first establishing a safe and supportive environment for him to express his feelings and thoughts without fear of judgment or punishment. She also involved Angad's mother in the therapy sessions to help her understand the underlying causes of his behavior and provide support and guidance to him.

Through psychotherapy, Dr. Biswas helped Angad develop empathy and self-awareness. She taught him emotional regulation skills, such as mindfulness and deep breathing exercises, to help him manage his anger and frustration. Dr. Biswas also worked on improving Angad's communication skills and taught him assertiveness training, so he could express his needs and boundaries in a non-violent way.

Over time, Angad's behavior and attitude improved significantly. He started to take responsibility for his actions and apologized to his classmates and younger brother for his past behavior. He also began to develop a more positive and realistic self-image and was able to understand the consequences of his actions on others.

Through psychotherapy, Angad's relationship with his mother also improved significantly. Dr. Biswas provided her with support and guidance to deal with her abusive husband and helped her develop a more positive and constructive parenting style.

Angad's case highlights the importance of early intervention and support in addressing aggressive behavior in children. Dr. Sudeshna Biswas's compassionate and solution-focused approach to psychotherapy helped Angad recover from his aggressive behavior and improved his overall mental health and wellbeing.

Case Study 7 - The Anorexic teenager

Himani (name changed), a 17-year-old girl, was a 1st-year college student in delhi. She was grossly underweight and had an eating disorder due to peer pressure. Himani's friends and social media had influenced her to believe that being thin was the only way to be beautiful and popular. She started restricting her food intake and excessively exercising to lose weight. Himani's condition worsened, and she often collapsed in her college during long lectures. She also missed several classes due to extreme weakness. Concerned about her health, her family decided to take her to Dr. Sudeshna Biswas, a clinical psychologist who specializes in treating eating disorders.

During the initial assessment, Dr. Biswas found that Himani had a distorted body image and an obsessive preoccupation with her weight and appearance. She had low self-esteem and believed that her worth was solely based on her body size and shape. Dr. Biswas also found that Himani was suffering from anxiety and depression due to her eating disorder. Dr. Biswas started Himani's counseling sessions by first building a trusting and non-judgmental environment. She helped Himani understand the root causes of her eating disorder, such as societal pressure and low self-esteem. Dr. Biswas also worked on improving Himani's body image and self-worth by teaching her self-compassion and self-acceptance.

Through psychotherapy, Dr. Biswas helped Himani challenge her negative beliefs about food and weight. She taught her cognitive-behavioral techniques to identify and challenge her distorted thoughts and replace them with positive and realistic ones. Dr. Biswas also worked on improving Himani's relationship with food and exercise by teaching her mindful eating and self-care practices. Over time, Himani's condition improved significantly. She gained weight and started to develop a more positive body image and self-esteem. She also began to enjoy food and exercise without guilt and anxiety. Himani's anxiety and depression also reduced significantly, and she was able to focus better on her studies.