BSc (Medunsa), MBCHB (Medunsa), FC Psych (SA) PR No. 1075837 MP No. 0683361
CONDITIONS
CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY
What is child and adolescent psychiatry?
Children and teenagers are also susceptible to mental health issues and conditions that can affect their ability to learn, socialise and develop as they get older. Child psychiatry, or paediatric psychiatry, treats mental health issues in children and teenagers. This treatment can be vital in ensuring your child grows up to be healthy and happy. If you suspect your child might be suffering from a mental health or learning problem, it is important to consult a psychiatrist like Dr Sebothoma for assistance.
Children with mental health issues typically experience:
- Antisocial and aggressive behaviour towards others
- Irregular sleeping patterns
- Changes in appetite
- Regressive behaviour such as bedwetting
- Regular nightmares, sleepwalking and sleep talking
- Headaches and stomachaches
- Poor performance at school
- Inability to pay attention or follow instructions
- Risky and dangerous behaviour
- Self-harming
- Irritability
- Prolonged sadness
- Suicidal thoughts
Like adults, children and teenagers can suffer from mental health issues like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorders and even schizophrenia.
These issues can seriously affect how your child builds relationships with themselves and others as they grow up and can impact their perception of the world around them.
Depression, anxiety and PTSD can lead to negative moods, constant fearfulness and the inability to socialise. This can also leave your child feeling inadequate and even suicidal.
Eating disorders like anorexia and binge-eating can also contribute to severe medical health problems like extreme weight loss or weight gain. Schizophrenia, meanwhile, can cause hallucinations and leave your child out of touch with reality.
Beyond these mental health conditions, children can also suffer from autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Autism, a neurological disorder, can leave your child unable to socialise, communicate and interact with other people. Children with ADHD, on the other hand, find it difficult to concentrate and can be easily distracted and hyperactive.
What might be needed or done?
Mental health issues in children and teenagers can lead to more serious social issues as they get older and become adults. That’s why treating these conditions early with the help of a mental health professional like Dr Sebothoma is imperative.
During treatment, Dr Sebothoma will investigate your child’s growth and development history as well as family history. Both you and your child will also be interviewed to help Dr Sebothoma decide the best treatment, which could include medications and counselling as well.
Dr Sebothoma will help both you and your child learn to understand, manage and overcome their mental health condition.
