How to defeat childhood neuroses? Causes and types of the disease

child neurosis Our children

The foundation of an adult's psyche is laid in childhood. But, even knowing this, many parents do not pay due attention to their children's problems.

According to my personal observation, the favorite expression of most adults is: "He will outgrow it". And especially often this word is used in relation to child neuroses, which are already more difficult to treat than such deviations in adults.

What neuroses are most common in children?

  • Fear Nervousness. Signs of such a neurosis - spasmodic appearance of fears, as a rule, when falling asleep. Preschoolers are afraid to be alone, afraid of the dark, invented characters that scare them adults, the appearance of scary animals. Many kids see hallucinations or create almost tangible illusions, experience vasovegetative disorders. First-graders experience fear of school, which can result not only in low mood, but also in enuresis or encopresis.
  • Obsessive compulsive neurosis. Characterized by repetition of certain movements and actions or obsessive fears and thoughts. In most cases, mixed symptoms are present.

Emotional tension is relieved by movement, and those around you will notice nervous tics, blinking, foot tapping, head turns, coughing, nose sniffing, and so on.

Phobic neurosis in younger schoolchildren is manifested in the fear of sharp objects, closed rooms, pollution.

What neuroses are common in older children?

Children of high school age are afraid of death, illness, oral answer at the blackboard, afraid to blush in front of strangers. At the same time with the described phobias in adolescents appear obsessive thoughts and urges, often contrary to the inner beliefs and education of the teenager. Unrealized thoughts lead to a constant feeling of anxiety.

  • Depressive neurosis. Characteristic of adolescents. Signs: depressed, quiet voice, inactivity, loneliness, decreased appetite and body weight, constipation. The adolescent is tormented by thoughts of his or her worthlessness and lack of ability.
  • Hysterical neurosis. Usually manifests in early preschool or adolescence. Classic throwing tantrums can end with affect-respiratory seizures and hysterical blindness and sensory disturbances.
  • Neurasthenia or asthenic neurosis - General exhaustion of the body against the background of nervous exhaustion, fatigue. Characterized by constant fluctuations from apathy to hysteria, sleep and appetite disorders, vegetovascular dystonia.

A clear sign of the manifestation of neurosis is the appearance of stuttering

Occurs as a result of stress or separation of young children from their parents. Sometimes stuttering leads to striving parents to force mental and speech development of the child. Older children with neurosis often show pathological attachment to home, which is not typical of adolescents.

Often children manifest neuroses of the mixed type.

What can cause childhood neurosis?

Children may have different "strength" of the nervous system. This depends on genetic factors, peculiarities of life experience, relationships in the family. Of great importance is the general state of the body - a child who is constantly sleep deprived or has a lot of physical stress is more prone to neurosis. If the nervous system is on the verge of stress, neurosis can provoke the most trifling stress.

infantile neurosis

Of greatest importance in the occurrence and treatment of neuroses is the situation in the family and how responsible the parents are in their responsibilities.

How to treat childhood neuroses?

Treatment of child neurosis requires an individual approach to each specific case, but in any case, the child needs to provide constant positive emotions.

Story therapy and play therapy are effective.

A psychotherapist may also recommend homeopathic remedies or medications, in some cases hypnosis is used to treat neurosis.

The experience of my many years of practice shows that neurosis itself does not go away, it can only transform and change. If you notice signs of neurosis in your child, see a good psychotherapist.

When choosing a specialist who will treat your child's neurosis, pay attention to how easily he or she found contact with the patient. This is one of the most important factors of success. And if the contact is established, I advise you to trust the psychotherapist, following with precision all his recommendations.

📌 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What types of neuroses are most common in children?
Among childhood neuroses, the most common are:

  • Fear neurosis - manifested by anxiety attacks, especially when falling asleep.
  • Obsessive-compulsive neurosis - characterized by repetitive movements and intrusive thoughts.
  • Depressive neurosis - is typical of adolescents, accompanied by depression and decreased activity.
  • Hysterical neurosis - manifested by violent emotional reactions such as screaming and falling.
  • Neurasthenia gravis - general exhaustion of the body on the background of nervous tension.

What are the main reasons for the development of neurosis in children?
The main causes include:

  • Psycho-emotional trauma - family conflicts, parental divorce, moving.
  • Improper parenting methods - hyper-parenting, authoritarianism, lack of attention.
  • Physiological factors - chronic illness, fatigue, lack of sleep.
  • Genetic predisposition - hereditary features of the nervous system.

What are the signs that indicate the presence of neurosis in a child?
Signs may include:

  • Changes in behavior - withdrawn, aggressive, tearful.
  • Physical symptoms - headaches, sleep disturbances, appetite disorders.
  • Compulsive behaviors - tics, frequent blinking, coughing.
  • Emotional instability - frequent mood swings, anxiety.

What treatments are effective for childhood neurosis?
Effective methods are:

  • Psychotherapy - Individual and family counseling.
  • Art therapy and play therapy - are especially effective for younger children.
  • Story therapy - helps children express and work through their feelings.
  • Medical treatment - if necessary, under the supervision of a physician.

How can we prevent children from developing neuroses?
For prevention, it's important:

  • Creating a favorable family atmosphere - love, support, understanding.
  • Observance of the daily regimen - adequate sleep, regular meals.
  • Moderate loads - balance between study and recreation.
  • Developing emotional intelligence - teaching the child to express and understand his or her feelings.
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Your Psychologist Online - Psychotherapist Olga Nedelkova

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