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Doctors warn of more children with mental disorders
Many adolescents suffer from mental health problems. According to the latest figures from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), one fifth (20.2%) of children and adolescents aged three to seventeen, according to their parents, are at risk for mental disorders attributable to Professor Dr. med. Klaus Keller from the Professional Association of Paediatricians (BVKJ) on the occasion of the Children and Young People's Day 2015.
This mental health in children and adolescents forms a focal point of this year's Pediatricians' Day, as the experts see considerable need for action here. "The care structures have to be checked, as psychic abnormalities and disorders often remain untreated," explains Professor Keller. For example, today only 11.8 percent of marginally conspicuous and 18.6 percent of children and adolescents classified as conspicuous have already had contact with a psychiatrist, psychologist or youth welfare service. Here, the preventive efforts should be significantly expanded.
Often psychic abnormalities of children have their origin in problems in the home. (Image: Sangoiri / fotolia.com) Emotional problems and behavioral problems
The mental health problems of children can manifest themselves in many ways, with aggressive behavior as one of the possible consequences, as well as a complete withdrawal of those affected. Of the environment, the causes of the behavior are often not recognized and there is no onerous advice or preventive measures. Over the period of six years, a stable frequency of about 20 percent was found for mental disorders in children and adolescents aged between three and 17 years in Germany, which illustrates the relevance of the subject, said Professor Keller. Especially since many affected people later develop symptoms in need of treatment. Considered abnormalities included emotional issues, peer issues, behavioral problems, hyperactivity problems and so-called prosocial behavior.
Many sufferers have difficulties in everyday life
Although the children with abnormalities are not necessarily manifestly mentally ill, their daily lives are often subject to considerable difficulties, according to the BVJK expert. As a result of emotional and behavioral problems, boys are more likely to be affected in their everyday functioning than girls. Also, boys would rather develop behavioral problems and girls more emotional problems. Overall, 12.4 percent of children and adolescents with mental disorders had to contend with massive impairments in social and family life. Although 52 percent of parents in the RKI study stated that their children had no difficulty in feeling, concentrating, behaving and / or interacting with others. However, just under 41 percent of parents saw minor difficulties in their children, 6.3 percent recognized clear problems and another 1.1 percent massive difficulties in at least one of the areas, according to the statement of the BVJK.
Threatening chronicity of mental abnormalities
Of concern is also the clearly discernible tendency to chronicity of abnormalities, reports Professor Keller. At 73 percent, these had been present for more than a year and at a further 16 percent lasted for six to 12 months. From the parents of the affected children assessed about one-fifth of the mental difficulties as a significant or severe family burden. In addition, there was clearly a significant social gap in the abnormalities. According to the figures of the RKI, adolescents with an immigrant background were increasingly affected by mental health problems, according to the news agency "dpa". Here, the problem could continue to worsen, as currently many refugee children come to Germany with severe traumatic experiences. To help them in coping with psychological problems, according to the experts, however, the structures are missing so far. (Fp)