Mental illness in kids on the rise

26 August 2014 - 02:06 By Rea Khoabane
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Children as young as five are being treated for depression, and the numbers are growing.

Psychiatrist Lynda Albertyn, who heads the child, adolescent and family unit at Charlotte Maxeke academic hospital in Johannesburg, sees at least 18 children a week and has a four-month waiting list.

In the Cape, since it opened its doors in June last year, Tygerberg hospital's child and family psychiatric unit has admitted 120 children for mental illness.

Tygerberg specialist Dr Anusha Lachman said children are referred from community clinics, private practitioners and psychologists.

"Most suffer from major psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Some are at risk for self-harm or harm to others," she said.

"Self-harm includes cutting, burning, maladaptive eating behaviours, substance abuse and sexual promiscuity, or putting themselves in high-risk situations."

Not all the children are depressed, Lachman said. Some suffer from anxiety and post-trauma disorders.

Studies show that the strongest predictor of developing depression in childhood is genetic, followed by being exposed to abuse, trauma, neglect and poverty.

How to spot the signs

  • Is he wetting the bed and sleeping poorly?
  • Have his moods changed? Is he disruptive and irritable, and has he regressed?
  • Has he lost interest in playing and interacting with peers? Is he tearful, poorly motivated and has poor concentration?
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