Among the mental disorders that occur in childhood, neurotic disorders account for 65%. Neurotic disorders (neuropathy, neurosis, neurasthenia, childish nervousness) in children manifest themself with a wide range of clinical symptoms, among which autonomic dysfunction and emotional disorders are the first.
Neurotic disorders include reversible emotional, behavioural disorders, as well as changes of the whole organism that arise on the basis of the CNS peculiar features under the influence of stressful factors. Factors that lead to disease emergence are the following: heredity, organic brain lesion at early stages of development, pathological gestation course and mother's diseases, unfavourable course of delivery, birth craniocerebral trauma, intrauterine infections, intoxications, weakening of child’s body and nervous system due to frequent cold-related diseases, traumas. The age-specific features of the neurotic response are characteristic for children.
Neurosis in children (up to 2–3 years) is usually associated with physiological causes. Later, when the child’s temper is formed, psychological reasons also enter into force. Thus, at this age, relationships with the mother are important for the formation of the child, their disturbances are manifested through anxiety, flinching, sleep disturbance, nutrition and digestion (the child reluctantly takes the breast, does not suck well, and often regurgitates, characterized by instability of appetite, constipation, alternating diarrhea).
At the preschool age, the neurotic appearances are expressed through fears, anxiety, the appearance of motor (tics) disorders, behavioural disorders (negativism, aggression), gatism (enuresis, encopresis); such children hardly focus on something, they are restless, hyperactive, constantly doing some kind of actions. They chew badly and often spit out the food after eating. Children often cry for no reason; they claim for instant focus from their parents, cannot stay alone, cannot entertain themselves.
At the early school age maladaptation states often arise - fear of school, sleep and appetite disturbances, lethargy, tearfulness, mental block in a new setting, temperature rise, abdominal pain not associated with the gastrointestinal tract deviations, compulsions (pulling the hair out, biting nails). The appearance of such children come into notice: they are often pale, and the skin cover paleness can quickly be replaced by hyperemia, and their pupils are mydriated. Unstable labile pulse, arrhythmic breath is characteristic features. Temperature raise is often observed.
In adolescents, the emotional disorders predominate in the neuroses; they appear in obsessive fears, a depressed mood, loss of interests, a decrease of academic performance or aggressive protest behaviour.
It is necessary to note the personality traits of children that contribute to the emergence of neurosis, such as anxiety, insecurity, internal tension, aggressive tendencies, and communicative problems. The personality of the child is formed in close dependence of close adults who surround it. The family is a model of relationships for a child with peers, adults in school, and society. Family relationships can create the conditions for the occurrence of mental trauma or favor their reduction.
In accordance with a certain set of symptoms, neuroses are divided into several types:
- Hysterical neurosis (hysterics, falling on the floor, screaming, weeping).
- Asthenic neurosis (weakness, fatigue, sleep disorder, tearfulness).
- Obsessive-compulsive neurosis. Both obsessive neurosis (it is characterized by various tics, seizures, muscle spasms) and phobic neurosis (fears of darkness, loneliness, separation from loved ones, death) are often relegated to this type.
- Depressive neurosis (desire to cloister oneself, depression, depressed mood (the most frequently appeared in adolescent age).
- Hypochondriacal neurosis (fear of getting sick, is also more common in adolescents).
In case of appearance of several, even seemingly insignificant, symptoms that may resemble the neuropathy, it is necessary to immediately contact a pediatric neurologist in order to do a child's follow-up examination, to clarify the diagnosis and to prescribe the adequate and competent treatment.
Qualified neurologists who have an extensive experience working with children diagnosed with "early childhood nervosity" work at "Bersenev's Medical Centre". Metameric approaches in the diagnostics and treatment of children with congenital neuropathy contribute to the disappearance of neuropsychiatric disorders and prevent the formation of neurosis-like conditions and psychopathy in the future.
The neuropathy treatment in children is a difficult task and responsibility for a positive result fall on parents’ shoulders as well. Your child’s health and future depend on your love, attention and care, as well as the implementation of all medical recommendations.
To make an appointment for a consultation or a treatment session, please, call (044) 272-11-82 (children’s department) or (044) 238-22-31 (call centre).
Think about your child’s future!
