Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Question 1

What are the reasons for children being out of school?

Answer 1

Either afraid (school refusal) or unwilling (truancy)

Question 2

What are some mental health issues associated with school?

Answer 2

Anxiety
Conduct disorder
Autism
Depression
Obsessional compulsive disorder

Question 3

What are some effects of mental health problems on school attendance and learning?

Answer 3

Learning difficulties due to poor attention
Co-morbid specific (or general) learning problems
Difficulty controlling emotion e.g. frustration, escalation of anger, frequent conflict.
Anxiety (see below)
Lack of energy, motivation
Difficulties joining in – wanting to be alone or unable to make friends (feeling different).
Sensory problems – too noisy
Preoccupation e.g. fear of germs and contamination
Associations between mental health and learning difficulties e.g. dyslexia

Question 4

Which anxiety disorders may children suffer from?

Answer 4

Separation anxiety – fear of leaving parents and home. Problems on the doorstep.
Social phobia – fear of joining group. Problems at the school gate.

Question 5

What are the “3 As” of anxiety disorders?

Answer 5

Anxious thoughts and feelings (e.g. impending doom)
Autonomic symptoms
Avoidant behaviour

Question 6

What are some motivational factors that may affect school attendance?

Answer 6

Learning difficulties
Lack of friends and relationships
Bullying
Lack of parental attention or concern (e.g. lack of interest in child’s education)
Maternal depression (enc. Separation anxiety)

Question 7

How may emotional contagion in child anxiety occur?

Answer 7

Child -> parent -> doctor