Overview of Child and Youth Psychiatry

Question 2

What is the biological drive in child and youth psychiatry?

Answer 2

The biological drive refers to the selective advantage of proximity to protective adult figures which promotes emotional regulation.

Question 3

What characterizes normal problems in child psychological development?

Answer 3

Normal problems are inherent in the child’s psychological development that are transient

Question 4

How are pathological symptoms defined in child and youth psychiatry?

Answer 4

Pathological symptoms are intense and frequent persist throughout development

Question 5

What defines a pathological environment concerning child development?

Answer 5

A pathological environment is inappropriate concerning the child’s age and often involves the association of symptoms.

Question 6

What are the important factors to consider during symptom assessment in child psychiatry?

Answer 6

Information sources; type of setting where symptoms occur

Question 7

What fears are common in infants aged 0-6 months?

Answer 7

Fear of loss of physical support; loud noises

Question 8

What fears are typically observed in infants aged 7-12 months?

Answer 8

Fear of strangers and separation from attachment figures.

Question 9

What fears are common in children aged 1-5 years?

Answer 9

Fear of intense noises; storms

Question 10

What fears often appear in children aged 3-5 years?

Answer 10

Fear of imaginary beings such as monsters and ghosts and fear of being alone.

Question 11

What concerns are common in children aged 6-12 years?

Answer 11

Fears related to physical integrity (death and physical suffering)

Question 12

What typical fears affect adolescents aged 12-18 years?

Answer 12

Concerns about health problems; interpersonal relationships

Question 13

How are tantrums described in child psychiatry?

Answer 13

Tantrums are expressions of irritability often seen in babies having difficulties in the mother-child relationship.

Question 14

What is a notable feature of childhood depression relating to parental influence?

Answer 14

Childhood depression is often associated with parental depression.

Question 15

What are regulatory difficulties in children?

Answer 15

Regulatory difficulties relate to problems like tantrums and irritability

Question 16

How is anxiety manifested in children according to child psychiatry?

Answer 16

Anxiety in children activates fight or flight responses triggered by perceptions of danger and stress

Question 17

What is a key sleep-related symptom of anxiety in children?

Answer 17

Initial or intermediate insomnia.

Question 18

What challenge does anxiety pose in interpreting children’s behavior?

Answer 18

It is difficult to communicate what the child is experiencing so defiant behavior may be mistakenly seen as a lack of discipline rather than anxiety and helplessness.

Question 19

How does irritability present in children with anxiety?

Answer 19

A seemingly calm child may lose their temper easily without apparent reason often as a response to tension.

Question 20

What is distractibility in anxious children?

Answer 20

Children with anxiety are often lost in their thoughts making it difficult for them to be aware of their surroundings.

Question 21

What is avoidance behavior in children with anxiety?

Answer 21

Avoiding certain people and places

Question 22

What does overplanning indicate in some anxious children?

Answer 22

Anxiety can cause children to attempt to regain control by overplanning situations where it is unnecessary.

Question 23

How does negativity manifest in anxious children?

Answer 23

Anxious children tend to experience negative thoughts and feelings much more intensely than positive ones.

Question 24

What psychological disorder is often linked with insecure attachment in children?

Answer 24

Depression.

Question 25

What is a significant familial risk factor for childhood depression?

Answer 25

Parental depressive disorder.

Question 26

Why is proximity to protective adults important in child development?

Answer 26

Because it promotes emotional regulation and provides a selective biological advantage.

Question 27

What distinguishes transient symptoms from pathological symptoms in child's psychological problems?

Answer 27

Transient symptoms are temporary and less intense

Question 28

How does the number and severity of symptoms affect assessment in child psychiatry?

Answer 28

A higher number and greater severity of symptoms indicate a more serious degree of disturbance.

Question 29

What role does the type of setting play in symptom assessment?

Answer 29

It provides context to understand whether symptoms are transient or chronic and how they impact the child.

Question 30

How are organic disorders and CNS lesions screened in child psychiatric assessments?

Answer 30

Through clinical evaluation and relevant neurological examinations to rule out organic causes.

Question 31

What developmental fears emerge around 3 to 5 years related to imaginary figures?

Answer 31

Fears of monsters and ghosts

Question 32

How might anxiety-related irritability be misunderstood by adults?

Answer 32

It may be mistakenly seen as misbehavior or lack of discipline instead of an expression of anxiety.

Question 33

What is an important difference in how anxiety leads to behavior in children?

Answer 33

Some children show challenging behavior to regain control while others may overplan unnecessarily.

Question 34

Why is avoidance behavior paradoxical in anxious children?

Answer 34

Because trying to avoid a fear often results in increased exposure to it.

Question 35

What impact does pathological symptoms have on a child's development?

Answer 35

They cause serious restrictions across multiple areas and negatively affect psychological development.

Question 36

What is the importance of symptom association in assessing pathological environments?

Answer 36

Symptom associations help identify inappropriate environments relative to the child’s age.

Question 37

Why might angry expressions occur in anxious children without clear triggers?

Answer 37

Due to reactivity caused by trying to cope with tension and stress.

Question 38

How do regulatory difficulties manifest as normal developmental expressions?

Answer 38

Through anxiety and anger as children learn to manage emotions and face challenges.