STIGMA AND MENTAL DISORDERS IN DEVELOPMENTAL AGE

Most mental disorders begin during developmental age. Different misinformation about mental illnesses cause anxiety, create stereotypes and promote stigma. Stigma has been identified as a likely key factor in mental health services access and utilization, particularly under-utilization of existing services especially in children with mental disorders. Stigma is a problem with which parents / carers face child emotional and behavioral problems when they seek professional help. Very often they avoid to seek professional help due to existing stigmatized attitudes leading to lack of treatment. Poor mental health is strongly related to other health and development concerns in young people, notably lower educational achievements, substance abuse and violence. The paper presents influence of mental disorders in developmentale age and consequence of mental stigma on psychosocial function on children and adolescent

MENTAL DISORDERS IN SEXUALLY ABUSED CHILDREN

Sexual abuse in childhood is associated with many adverse consequences for survival during their lifetime. Numerous research studies clearly show the link between sexual abuse of children and the spectrum of unfavorable mental, social, sexual, interpersonal and behavioral as well as physical health consequences. Current research shows the strongest link between sexual abuse of children and the presence of depression, alcohol and abuse of other psychoactive substances and nutritional disorders in surviving women and anxiety-related disorders in male survivors. There is also an increased risk of re-victimization, especially for girls. Negative effects of mental health in children with sexual abuse include posttraumatic symptoms, depression, helplessness, negative evaluation, aggressive behavior and behavioral problems. Recent research links sexual assault on children with psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia and dysfunctional disorders, as well as personality disorders. Sexual abuse of children involving penetration is specifically identified as a risk factor for the development of psychotic and schizophrenic symptoms. Many studies have shown that sexual victimization in childhood is a significant risk factor for suicidal ideation and suicidalbehaviors

CHANGING DIAGNOSTIC CATEGORY IN DEVELOPMENT PSYCHIATRY

Introduction: Many children and adolescents have mental problems that undermine their normal development and functioning. It is estimated that about 10% of children and adolescents suffer from mental disorders at a sufficiently severe level to cause some degree of damage and require treatment. Aim: The aim of this paper is to determine whether there have been changes in the diagnostic categories in developmental psychiatry in children and adolescents treated at the Department for Children and Adolescent Psychiatry for the last fifteen years. Subjects and methods: The survey includes 844 patients treated at the Department for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry of University Clinical Center of the Republic of Srpska in the period from April 2002 to September 2017, involving only children and adolescents who were hospitalized for the first time. The sample consisted of 453 female subjects (54, 67%) and 391 male subjects (46, 33%). Subjects were divided into three groups: group 1 - hospitalization in the period from 2002 to 2007; group 2 - hospitalization in the period from 2008 to 2012; group 3 - hospitalization in the period from 2013 to September 2017. Results: Female subjects accounted for more than half of the subjects within each group, with a mild increase in the number of patients in the last 4 years. In the overall sample, adolescents, aged 13 to 18 (51.66%) were the most frequent, with the lowest number of subjects under 6 years of age (3.91%). In the overall sample, the most frequent are: psychotic disorders in 18.60% of subjects; behavioral disorders and emotions in 17, 42% of subjects; suicide attempt, in 14.34% of subjects. By comparing data by groups, there has been a decline in psychotic disorders, and since 2008, adapting disorders and behavioral and emotional disorders have been most frequently diagnosed. There is an increase in the number of respondents who come from incomplete families in the last few years. About one-third of the sample (33.89%) were exposed to one or more types of abuse. 43.13% of children and adolescents with poor socio-economic status. Comorbid diseases are present in 5.92% of children and adolescents. In 26.18% of the sample, psychiatric disorders are present in the family history. The abuse of psychoactive substances was observed in 2.61% of adolescents, and this number has been increasing for the last five years. Family dysfunction is present in 57.35% of children and adolescents. Conclusion: In our study, there was an increase in the number of children and adolescents with behavioral disorders and adjustment disorders, as well as an increase in family dysfunctionality and psychoactive substances abuse in adolescents

Comorbidity in Children and Adolescents with ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder with or without hyperactivity disorder is a neurobiological disorder that involves the interaction of the neuroanatomical and neurotransmitter systems. It is a developmental disorder of psychomotor skills that is manifested by impaired attention, motor hyperactivity and impulsivity. This disorder is characterized by early onset, the association of hyperactive and poorly coordinated behavior with marked inattention and lack of perseverance in performing tasks; and this behavior occurs in all situations and persists over time. This disorder is inappropriate for the child’s developmental age and maladaptive. Disorders of neurotransmitter metabolism in the brain with discrete neurological changes can lead to behavioral difficulties and other psychological problems. Most children and adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder have comorbidities, often multiple comorbid conditions in the same person. Comorbidity was observed in both clinical and epidemiological samples. It is estimated that about two-thirds of children with this disorder have at least one other psychiatric disorder diagnosed. Symptoms persist and lead to significant difficulties in the daily functioning of the child, such as school success, social interactions, family and social functioning, etc. Recent studies indicate the presence of various neuroophthalmological disorders in children and adolescents with ADHD. The most common comorbidities in children and adolescents with ADHD that will be covered in this chapter are autism spectrum disorder, mood disorder, anxiety, learning disabilities, conduct disorders, tics disorder and epilepsy

EATING BEHAVIOR DISORDERS OF FEMALE ADOLESCENTS

Background: Adolescence is a period of significant physical, emotional and intellectual changes, as well as changes in social roles, relations and expectations. Objective: Our objective was to inquire into eating attitudes among female adolescents. Subjects and method: The sample consisted of female adolescents, age of 16-17, attending first grade Economic and Medical Secondary School pupils in Banja Luka, 2007. Survey questionnaire (16 questions) is a scale for self-rating of eating disorders designed by the author. Response rate was 389 out of 419 (92.8%). Results: Eight point seven per cent of the female adolescents had a Body Mass Index (BMI) less than 18.5. More than half want to be thinner, while 1/3 of adolescents accepted themselves whether thin or obese. Forty-seven percent (47%) of adolescents exercise sometimes, 15.4% exercise often while 1/5 goes on a diet sometimes or regularly. About 43% adolescents are sometimes or often terrified about being overweight, while 60% sometimes or often lose weight. About 2/3 adolescents are not satisfied with their figure. One-half of the adolescents are terrified of increasing their weight. There is a statistically significant relation between female adolescents with, and female adolescents without control in eating, in both schools (p<0.05). Discussion: This research indicates the necessity of education of adolescents and developing prevention programs to help them to adopt healthier nutrition and lifestyle in early life. Conclusion: There is a high level of discontent and dissatisfaction with their figure among adolescents. One-third (1/3) of adolescents accept themselves whether thin or obese, while about 43% adolescents are sometimes or often terrified about being overweight. One-half of adolescents are terrified by increase in weight

CREATIVE PSYCHOPHARMACOTHERAPY IN CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY AND EXPERIENCES FROM BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Introduction: Paediatric psychopharmacology involves the application of psychotropic agents to the treatment of children and adolescents with mental disorders and gathered knowledge from child and adolescent psychiatry (CAP), neurology, paediatrics and pharmacology. Defining elements of this discipline are: the metabolism of drugs is different in children than in adults (pharmacokinetics), the developing brain reacts specifically to the drug (pharmaco dynamics), and psychopathology itself is not differentiated yet. To make and overview of specifics in psychopharmacological use in CAP and emphasize some experiences from Bosnia and Herzegovina in that field. Methods: Through insight in current literature, we presented comprehensive findings and compare it with situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Results: The most common conditions in which psycho pharmaceuticals are used in CAP were attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD), depressive and bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and the treatment of early psychosis. Psycho pharmaceuticals were also used to treat agitated conditions in various causes. We made an overview of psycho pharmaceuticals use in Bosnia and Herzegovina CAP and emphasized the fact that psycho stimulants are not approved for the use yet, although they are mostly prescribed medicament in CAP over the world. That limits us in the effectiveness of the treatment in ADHD and put us in the situations to use other medicaments instead (anxiolytics, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers) which are not approved for that condition. Conclusion: The use of psycho pharmacotherapy in CAP is justified in cases where it is necessary to reduce the suffering of children and to improve their functionality at the time when cognitive, social and emotional advancement is most pronounced. Further research and clinical monitoring of efficacy and safety in the use of psycho pharmaceuticals in youngsters are necessary