Every fifth child mentally noticeable

Around 20 percent of children show mental disorders

14/09/2012

One fifth of the children in Germany show mental disorders. This is the conclusion of the BELLA study conducted by the Professor of Health Sciences and Health Psychology, Dr. med. Ulrike Ravens-Sieberer, from the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE).

At the 108th annual conference of the German Society for Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (DGKJ), jointly organized with six other specialist societies, numerous experts in the field of pediatric and adolescent medicine have been devoting themselves to new findings and challenges in paediatrics in Hamburg since Wednesday. The results of the BELLA study are a much discussed topic. Nationwide were in the study „Children, adolescents and their parents as well as young adults aged 3 to 23 years to their mental health and their subjective well-being interviewed.“ The study is an integral part of the Children and Youth Health Survey (KiGGS) of the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin. The result was alarming: every fifth child shows psychic abnormalities.

Unconcentrated, hyperactive, depressed or aggressive - children with mental health problems
According to the authors of the study, mental disorders such as hyperactivity, depression or general violence among adolescents in recent years have increased the interest of children and adolescents in research. The BELLA study will also provide a reliable scientific database for further investigations in this area. In cooperation with the Robert Koch Institute, the experts from the UKE carried out the first three survey waves at intervals of one year each between 2003 and 2008. The fourth survey has been running since 2010 and its final results will be published in the coming year. A total of 3,800 families with children were interviewed. The President of the 108th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine and Medical Director of Child and Adolescent Medicine at UKE, Prof. Kurt Ullrich, explained that pediatricians in the practices and clinics perceive complaints that „earlier were not so common among the small patients.“ The extent to which the problem really takes place and what causes it, however, needs to be further explored.

20 percent of adolescents with signs of mental abnormalities
The BELLA study provides a good basis for the scientific discussion. The author of the study, Prof. Ulrike Ravens-Sieberer from the research section „Child Public Health“ at the UKE, the study proves, „that in about 20 percent of children and adolescents at least evidence of mental abnormalities“ demonstrate. According to the expert, more than five percent of boys and girls in the completed surveys suffered from depression, more than ten percent had phobias (fears), and over seven percent were prone to conspicuous social behavior, such as increased violence. About 50 percent of those affected remained psychologically conspicuous. As a possible risk factors for mental health problems are known a low social status and migration background, but also the family situation plays an essential role. The climate that prevails in the family could be a significant one „Protection or risk factor“, explained Prof. Ravens-Sieberer.

Family situation crucial for the mental health of children
According to the Professor of Health Sciences, Health Psychology and the Care of Children and Adolescents, the family situation has a major impact on the mental health of adolescents. Conflicts or psychological problems of the parents thus show a direct influence on the emotional state of the children. Much support and affection, however, is a protective factor. According to Prof. Ravens-Sieberer would have the medicine „to start with families much more and empower them to accompany their children through difficult situations.“

ADHD and computer addiction
Particular attention is paid to the so-called Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among adolescents at the 108th Annual Meeting of the DGKJ. This mental disorder, also known as Zappelphilipp syndrome, affects 2.9 percent of boys and 1.4 percent of girls, according to the BELLA study. In the context of the lecture „Children are sick differently today - case study of computer dependency“ thematized Christian Fricke, Conference President of the German Society for Social Pediatrics and Youth Medicine, also possible connections between the occurrence of ADHD and excessive computer or console play. Although there is „so far no direct evidence that excessive activity in front of the screen leads to ADHD, but there is a connection to observe“, explained the expert. Excessive gaming behavior is understood to mean that children hang more than 4.5 hours a day in front of the console or computer, Fricke continues.

Computer dependence as an independent disease?
The lecture by dr. According to Fricke, computer dependency usually manifests itself in excessive, uncontrolled gambling, a decline in other recreational activities, and increasing school problems. Often sufferers show a dwindling interest in social contacts, low self-confidence off the PC or console, and a strong irresistible craving for computer games in abstinence. The actual seasons are denied and also negative consequences accepted, so Dr. Fricke continues. According to the expert show 15.8 percent of boys and 4.3 percent of girls an excessive computer game behavior. Three percent of boys and 0.3 percent of girls are computer-dependent. The risk of dependency is just under five percent of boys and 0.5 percent of girls. In the framework of the 108th Annual Meeting of the DGKJ, in view of the growing prevalence of the phenomenon of computer dependency, a recognition of this psychic conspicuousness as an independent clinical picture is also being discussed. (Fp)

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Picture: Jens Weber