Child Psychology
Child Psychology: Is the science dealing with the mental power or interaction between the conscious and subconscious elements in a child.
Extracted from http://childcare.ygoy.com/2011/07/04/importance-of-child-psychology/
Children can greatly benefit from specialised therapy for an array of reasons. Extensive research shows that “events from our childhood can greatly impact how we live our lives, our coping mechanism and the ways in which we deal with stress and issues in adult life”. Children experience many changes especially the pre-teen and teenage years, including physical, cognitive, and social development. Adolescents can be a difficult phase where feelings of isolation, issues with independence and the discovery of who they are or want to be, these feeling are sometimes expressed through rebellious or destructive behaviours. A specialised child phycologist can help and support an adolescent through some of the difficulties they may face, in regards to school, anxiety, bullying, relationships, body image and social life/peers. Trauma or sudden changes such as separation/divorce, a new baby, and change of school, major relocation, and death of a loved one can have a significant effect on a child.
Bullying has become a common issue that effects many children, can happen at any age and can turn school into a traumatic event. It takes on many different forms including physical, verbal, social media /electronic messaging or psychological. The specialist clinicians at United Consulting Rooms, who have extensive experience dealing with the effects of bullying can, help your child cope with the bullying and lessen impact further down the track.
Alternatively you may find that it is your child who is doing the bullying. A qualified child phycologist can help identify why your child is demonstrating bullying behaviours and address the motivating factors.
Our clinicians use a unique combination of psychological techniques. All child psychology treatments are provided by experienced clinical psychologists with extensive knowledge working with children, teens and families. We also work closely with other practitioners including your general practician or paediatrician.
If you feel your child is in need of the support and guidance of a specialist in all issues relating to children and adolescents, please contact us to make an appointment.
Mental illness in children
Extracted from http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-illness-children
Developmental and psychotic disorders may appear to occur less in children, they can have a lifelong impact on the child and their family. The most common childhood mental disorders are
- Anxiety disorders: Children with anxiety disorders respond to certain things or situations with fear and dread, as well as with physical signs of anxiety (nervousness), such as a rapid heartbeat and sweating.
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Children with ADHD generally have problems paying attention or concentrating, can’t seem to follow directions, and are easily bored and/or frustrated with tasks. They also tend to move constantly and are impulsive (do not think before they act).
- Disruptive behaviour disorders: Children with these disorders tend to defy rules and often are disruptive in structured environments, such as school.
- Pervasive development disorders: Children with these disorders are confused in their thinking and generally have problems understanding the world around them.
- Eating disorders: Eating disorders involve intense emotions and attitudes, as well as unusual behaviours associated with weight and/or food.
- Elimination disorders: Disorders that affect behaviour related to using the bathroom. Enuresis, or bed-wetting, is the most common of the elimination disorders.
- Learning and communication disorders: Children with these disorders have problems storing and processing information, as well as relating their thoughts and ideas.
- Affective (mood) disorders: These disorders involve persistent feelings of sadness and/or rapidly changing moods, and include depression and bipolar disorder. A more recent diagnosis is called disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, a childhood and adolescent condition involving chronic or persistent irritability and frequent angry outbursts.
- Schizophrenia: This disorder involves distorted perceptions and thoughts.
- Tic disorders: These disorders cause a person to perform repeated, sudden, involuntary (not done on purpose), and often meaningless movements and sounds, called tics.