Common Problem in Early Childhood

5 Common Problems

1. Sleep Disorders 

- sleep disorders can be defined as too much or too little sleep than is appropriate for the age of the child. By the age of 1-3 months the longest daily sleep should be between midnight and morning. Sleeping through the night is a developmental milestone but at the age of 1 year 30% of children may still be waking in the night. Stable sleep patterns may not be present until age 5 years but parental or environmental factors can encourage the development of circadian rhythm.

2. Down Syndrome

-Down syndrome is associated with some impairment of cognitive ability and physical growth, and a particular set of facial characteristics. Individuals with Down syndrome tend to have a lower-than-average cognitive ability, often ranging from mild to moderate disabilities. 

3. Behavior Disorders ( Disruptive )

-Disruptive Behavior Disorders, also referred to also as Behavior Disorders, are the most common reasons children are referred for mental health practitioners for possible treatment. All disruptive behavior is not the same, Behavior Disorders is an umbrella term that includes more specific disorders, such as Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiance Disorder, and ADHD.

 Treatment:

Because so many of the factors that cause Disruptive Behavior Disorders happen very early in a child’s life, it is important to recognize the problems as early as possible and get treatment. The treatment which appears to have shown the best results is a combination of specialized Parent Skills training. Parent training and therapy with the child or adolescent, is most effective when done in the family home.

4. Childhood depression symptoms

- Depression is associated with many difficulties including learning problems, acting out in school, dropping out of school...

    Sadness is a universal emotion that no one is immune from, everyone in the world feels sad in some way or another on a daily basis for various reasons. The state of feeling sad is called “depression” and usually refers to a condition of feeling sad very often, for a prolonged period of time.

5. Symptoms of Emotional disorders

The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Emotional disorders includes the 5 symptoms listed below:

·         Anxiety

·         Fatigue

·         Poor appetite

·         Weight loss

·         Violent behavior

The Treatment of Anxiety

Patient education regarding available treatment and reassurance often has a calming effect

Treatment usually combines pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, relaxation training, and biofeedback

General anxiety disorder: Cognitive therapy has been proven to be beneficial; benzodiazepines, buspirone, and antidepressants (tricyclic antidepressants, SSRIs) are all effective; however, concern over dependence sometimes limits the use of benzodiazepines

Panic disorder: SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and cognitive-behavioral therapy are equivalently effective

Obsessive-compulsive disorder: High-dose SSRIs and cognitive-behavioral therapy are effective

The Treatment of Violent behavior

Take measures to protect yourself, such as remaining at a distance from the patient and calling for assistance.

Remain calm, and make sure you have enough personnel for a show of force to subdue or restrain the patient if necessary.

Encourage the patient to move to a quiet location—free from noise, activity, and people—to avoid frightening or stimulating him further.

 If the patient makes violent threats, take them seriously, and inform those at whom the threats are directed.

If ordered, administer a psychotropic medication.