What is childhood neurosis. Types of neuroses in children. Symptoms and types

There are many reasons why neurosis occurs in childhood. Here are the main ones:

• mental trauma;
• bad heredity;
• poor relationship between mom and dad within the family;
• some diseases transferred by the child;
• physical exhaustion;
• excessive emotional stress;
• total lack of sleep;
• mistakes made by parents in raising a child.

Symptoms

Neuroses can be different, which means that the first signs of a painful condition may differ. Among the main symptoms of neurosis, the following should be mentioned:

• hysteria (a child who suffers from hysterical neurosis is very sensitive and egocentric, his mood constantly changes, he does not think about anyone but himself. Hysterical neurosis often manifests itself in childhood in the form of respiratory attacks, in which the baby seems to hold his breath , a seizure can also occur when the child cries hysterically);
• neurasthenia (a neurasthenic child constantly cries, it is by crying that he achieves everything he wants. Such a baby is passive, he behaves sluggishly, is not particularly interested in anything, but if he needs something, he immediately falls into crying - this is his a powerful weapon against "recalcitrant" parents);
• obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by the indecision of the child, his excessive suspiciousness, self-doubt, anxiety and many fears (usually children who suffer from this type of neurosis are afraid of everything new, as well as loneliness, spiders and snakes, darkness);
• tick - another symptom of a neurotic state, these conditioned reflex actions arise due to damage to the child's brain;
• stuttering, which first manifests itself at an early age (between two and four years);
• enuresis (enuresis is only then a symptom of neurosis, when bedwetting first occurred after a mental trauma, physiological incontinence should not be confused with neurotic);
• encopresis - fecal incontinence (quite often this symptom is the primary and most important sign of neurosis).

Diagnosis of neurosis

It is incredibly important to identify neurosis as early as possible. The more neglected the disease is, the more difficult it will be to get rid of it. Diagnosis of a neurotic condition in childhood is divided into several successive stages:

• the doctor analyzes the life of a small patient and his behavior;
• the doctor analyzes the relationship of the child with parents and peers;
• the doctor organizes communication with a potential patient in the form of a game, during this communication the doctor asks the child prepared questions;
• the doctor watches the baby in the process of playing communication;
• analyzes the pictures drawn by the child, which can tell a lot about the state of his psyche;
• the doctor examines the next of kin of a small patient;

at the very end, the doctor takes on the development of a psychotherapeutic treatment that is individual for each individual patient.

Complications

The main thing that makes neurosis dangerous in childhood is the degeneration of a neurotic reaction into a neurotic state. The result is irreversible changes in the psychology of the individual, as well as all the other unpleasant consequences that these changes entail.

Treatment

What can you do

The first thing to do for parents whose child has been diagnosed with neurosis is to reconsider their own attitude towards the baby. It is possible that the cause of the neurotic state was the wrong upbringing. The baby will be healthy and happy only in the family where the weather is good, where love and mutual understanding reign.

Dad and mom should understand: the treatment of neurosis is the business of a doctor. They can only help, make their contribution. But in no case should you try to take on the duties of a doctor. If a neurotic disorder is suspected in a child, parents should immediately contact a medical specialist for help.

What can a doctor do

Due to the fact that the only way to cure neurosis in a child is individual psychotherapy, the doctor will certainly resort to this method. But there are many options for psychotherapy. The doctor may prescribe the following psychotherapeutic treatment:

• art therapy (sculpting or drawing) is a variant of psychotherapy in which the child, while drawing, has the opportunity to understand his own inner world;
• game psychotherapy is selected and developed taking into account the age of a small patient, but in this game process the doctor takes an obligatory part, it is he who directs the treatment game;
• fairy tale therapy is a great opportunity for a doctor to conduct psychocorrection, this is one of the unique ways of meditation for children;
• autogenic training - exercises that allow you to completely relax the muscles, this method is relevant when the patient is a teenager, and the disease is a tick or logoneurosis (stuttering);
• group psychotherapy (this method is indicated when the child has serious personality disorders or communication difficulties, the baby is either overly egocentric or overly shy).

Prevention

The main preventive measure aimed at preventing neurosis in a child is an understanding of the causes of such a painful condition. If parents know what may cause neurosis in their child, they will be extremely careful, they will begin to bypass the “sharp corners”, pay more attention to education.

Parents should create the most favorable weather in their family, and for this:

• you need to organize adequate physical activity for the baby (perhaps increase, and possibly reduce, minimize);
• timely and correctly treat somatic ailments;
• organize a balanced diet;
• timely treat infectious diseases;
• make sure that the baby sleeps and rests enough;
• to educate correctly, forming a personality with a capital letter in the child.

If parents do not know how neurosis manifests itself in a child, they will not always be able to suspect this disease in their child. Therefore, everyone needs to know the list of the main symptoms that indicate the onset of the disease or its course. Neurosis is a mental disorder that often begins in childhood and occurs when there is a violation of relationships that are especially significant for the child or prolonged exposure to any psycho-traumatic factor.

Factors contributing to the development of neuroses in children

Often, neuroses in children are associated with mistakes in upbringing, family adversity, and the loss of a loved one.

The children's body is especially exposed to various external factors. Relationships in the family have a great influence on the formation of the psyche of a little man.

From early childhood, the baby requires attention, he has a need to communicate with adults. Often, parents live with their own problems without thinking about their children, and the child does not receive parental attention and love to the extent that he needs it.

Frequent quarrels between parents can cause childhood neurosis. In addition, as an adult, he transfers into adulthood the stereotype of relationships laid down in childhood, he develops a distrust of family life. Many families break up, and children suffer the most from this.

Not feeling parental love, the baby experiences an internal conflict that develops into nervous tension, which is difficult for a small person to cope with. There is a nervous breakdown, and then a neurosis in the child.

However, excessive guardianship and attention from parents can also negatively affect the child's psyche. In this case, uncertainty develops, all sorts of complexes, which can also provoke the appearance of neurosis.

An important factor contributing to the emergence of neurosis in children is neuropsychic overwork, past illnesses that weaken the body.

The problem of childhood neuroses

There is also a connection between the educational process and the emergence of childhood neuroses. It is not the mental load itself that is painful, but the incorrectly organized learning process: neglect of the rules of mental hygiene during training, insufficient free time to meet personal needs, excessive demands on oneself, often associated with an overvalued attitude on the part of parents to high marks, etc. .

The problems of childhood neuroses can become relevant for parents at any age. The degree of this mental disorder should not be underestimated, because unresolved childhood problems result in various mental disorders and complexes in adulthood, which are then much more difficult to correct and solve.

Therefore, if parents set themselves the task of raising a healthy and full-fledged personality, they must not ignore neurotic manifestations.

The main types of neuroses in children

In our time, various types of neurosis in children are increasingly common. This trend is observed both in well-developed countries and in those that have just embarked on the path of their development. According to doctors, this is due to the accelerated pace of development, a large amount of information, parents' concentration on work, and a large workload in accordance with the study program.

There are the following main types of neurosis in children, as:

• anxiety neurosis;
• obsessive states;
• depressive;
• hysterical;
• asthenic (neurasthenia);
• hypochondria;
• neurotic stuttering;
• neurotic tic;
• neurotic sleep disorders;
• anorexia;
• neurotic enuresis and encopresis;
• pathological habitual actions;
• school;
• logoneurosis;
• teenage depression;
• mutism (mutacism).

Peculiarities of children's neurosis of any kind is that in most cases it is provoked by a traumatic factor (psychotrauma), intrapersonal conflicts, in rare cases - disturbances in brain activity or congenital features of the nervous system.

How neurosis manifests itself in children: symptoms of the disease

Symptoms of neurosis in children can be different. Often in children there is a neurosis of fear, neurosis of obsessive movements, stuttering. Neurotic fears are denoted by the term "phobia". Usually they are painfully experienced by children.

An obsessive experience of fear is more common in timid, anxious and suspicious children. Often, adults themselves provoke the development of phobias, intimidating the baby, telling scary tales. Sometimes they come from personal experiences.

Compulsive movement neurosis in children is often incorrectly referred to as a nervous tic, a familiar condition to many. They are involuntary movements, mostly mimic or gesticulation (for example, raising the eyebrows up, shrugging, blinking, spreading the corners of the mouth, rubbing hands, twitching the head, etc.). If the baby often makes blinking movements, involuntarily shakes his head, etc. - this is a reason to suspect a nervous tic and consult a doctor.

Such a symptom of childhood neurosis as stuttering in most cases develops in the third year of life. Obviously, this is due to the active development of speech at this age. Stuttering occurs more often in boys than in girls. The child is trying to express a lot, but his vocabulary is still small. If at the same time he is very unsure of himself, among unfamiliar surroundings and strangers, then he gets lost and begins to stutter.

Another cause of stuttering can be stressful situations or fear. At the same time, the child speaks normally in a calm situation, and at the slightest excitement, he again begins to stutter. Children with stuttering become insecure, shy, sometimes angry.

Children's neurosis of fear: origin, signs and features

Childhood anxiety neurosis makes itself felt during attacks, which most often occur at night. Typically, the duration of an attack ranges from 10-30 minutes. During this period, affective hallucinations and illusions, increased anxiety, and vasovegetative disorders may occur.

At preschool age, a sign of childhood neurosis may be animals invented by the parents of “babies”, fairy-tale heroes (most often negative), children are afraid to be alone.

Younger schoolchildren are sometimes subjected to the so-called "school" nervous breakdown. Children begin to overestimate the importance and significance of the school with its discipline, rules, regime and strict teachers. They are more likely to suffer from children who did not attend kindergarten before attending school.

Signs of obsessive neurosis in children

This disorder can occur at any childhood age. Obsessive neurosis in children can develop as a result of adverse psychological conditions at home and at school. There are obsessive states or movements that can be overcome in different ways, the main thing is to make sure that this is really this type of neurosis.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder in children is sometimes confused with a nervous tic. But a nervous tic is an involuntary contraction (twitching) of muscles that is uncontrollable and not in all cases associated with nervous disorders. As for obsessive movements, they can be influenced by volitional efforts.

Signs of this neurosis in children include the following:

• finger snaps;
• sharp turns of the head;
• nail biting;
• lip twitching;
• fingering any objects;
• smacking;
• biting lips;
• palm friction, etc.

The list of obsessive-compulsive disorders can be extended considerably, because everyone can have some of their own individual symptoms that recur very often and are characterized by irritability, nervousness, and harshness.

Causes and pathogenesis of different types of neuroses

To avoid the occurrence of neuroses in children, it is necessary to know the causes of the occurrence of different types of neuroses. It is impossible to single out one factor, because in any case there is a complex effect of several at the same time. There are several main points, such as:

• genetic predisposition. One fifth of children suffering from neurosis have parents with mental disorders of this type. Also, they are more likely to suffer from children who have deviations from normal body weight in one direction or another.
• Psychotraumatic situations. The main causes of neurosis in children are considered to be psychotrauma, because it is not for nothing that psychologists, starting therapy, work with childhood traumas.
• Features of the nervous system (character, temperament). Children with neurotic disorders are usually suspicious, insecure (or vice versa, have an overestimated self-esteem and a selfish attitude towards others), constrained, overly responsible, overly oriented to someone else's opinion of themselves, painfully react to criticism. The occurrence of neurasthenia is influenced by how the child perceives the events taking place.
• Factors of a socio-psychological nature. These causes of childhood neurosis include increased workload at school, overwork (physical or mental), unsatisfactory living conditions, a tense family atmosphere, excessive demands from parents and others, and improper upbringing.

The origin of childhood neurosis may also be associated with insufficient satisfaction of the basic needs of the child, which relate not only to the physical sphere (the need for food, warmth, sleep, a safe environment, etc.), but also to the emotional (the need for love, acceptance, attention, etc.).

The pathogenesis of neurosis in children at the moment remains a topical issue for many specialists. Neurosis is characterized by a special state of the nervous system, which, if left unattended, can affect the quality of life in adulthood, so parents should be attentive to any manifestations of a neurotic state in their child and respond to this situation as soon as possible.

The occurrence of neurosis in children is also associated in some cases with the presence of diseases that systematically lead to the exhaustion of the body, its weakening and, as a result, the deterioration of the mental state of the child. In this case, in addition to treating the underlying disease, it is necessary to deal with the elimination of neurotic symptoms.

How to cure neurosis in a child?

Depending on the symptoms of childhood neurosis, treatment is also determined, because, for example, stuttering requires one approach and actions from parents, and overcoming phobias and excessive anxiety requires others. In some cases, the older the child's age and the more conscious the little person is about his condition, the easier it is to overcome the disease by common efforts.

Avoid conflicts in the family, manage your behavior. To deal with family problems will help a specialist - a psychologist or psychotherapist.

In a conversation with parents, the doctor will determine the symptoms of neurosis in children and prescribe treatment, determine the cause of stuttering and fears (when, after what events, in what situations it often manifests itself).

If they are associated with some stressful situations, the psychological microclimate in the family should be changed, traumatic circumstances should be eliminated. Such cases are the easiest to treat.

In the process of treating childhood neuroses, try to create an atmosphere of calm at home. Build confidence in him by expressing your approval of all his successes and achievements. More often let's understand that you love him. Try not to pull or correct all the time when he starts talking. It is good if the child communicates with children with whom it is easy and comfortable for him.

In questions of how to cure a neurosis in a child, which is accompanied by severe stuttering, a speech therapist will help you figure it out. He will determine the type of occupation that will be aimed at eliminating speech problems. You should follow all the recommendations of specialists and be persistent.

Classes should be regular, the only way to expect a correction of stuttering or minimizing its manifestations. If stuttering is accompanied by a nervous disease, you should first of all consult a neurologist.

How to treat a neurosis of obsessive movements and conditions in a child?

The treatment of obsessive neurosis in children is carried out by a psychologist, in rare cases, a psychotherapist. In severe cases of nervous breakdown resort to the use of drug treatment. When visiting a psychotherapist, he may prescribe sedatives or antidepressants (depending on the specific case).

The question of how to treat a neurosis of obsessive movements in a child should be dealt with by parents together with specialists. A doctor can only set the right direction in treatment, and parents sometimes have to change their behavior, the atmosphere in the family, eliminate mistakes in education, show more attention, love and care for children.

The duration of treatment for neurosis of obsessive movements in children depends on its stage and form. At the beginning of the development of the disease, you can get by with a few consultations with a psychologist. The advanced course of the disease requires medication. At what stage the disorder is, only the doctor can determine, he is also determined by the type of treatment.

The treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder in children proceeds better and faster when family psychotherapy is used as a treatment method. It allows you to determine the family situation in general, solve existing problems in relationships, conflicts, and this helps to eliminate emotional disorders and restore a prosperous harmonious environment.

How else can children's neurosis be treated?

How to treat neurosis in a child with any of its manifestations should be decided only by a doctor or psychologist. Most often, with mild manifestations of this disease, psychotherapy is prescribed, the purpose of which is to normalize the atmosphere in the family, improve relations between parents, and correct educational methods. As additional actions (if there is such a need), they resort to the use of physiotherapeutic procedures, relaxation, and taking medications.

The article examined the main points of how to treat childhood neurosis, which is a special state of the child's psyche and which is a reversible process. But it is worth remembering that it is better to deal with these problems together with a psychologist or other specialists.

Measures to prevent neurosis in children

Prevention of neurosis in children plays an important role that should not be underestimated, especially if the baby is prone to their occurrence or is at risk.

Usually, the initial manifestations of this disease are noticeable to a specialist during the initial examination. To do this, it is enough for him to observe the behavior of the child during activity (play, communication, gestures, movements) in order to suspect the onset of the development of a neurotic disorder.

This approach will help determine the preventive measures and avoid the use of aggressive drugs, which are usually used in the case of a complex course of the disease or with advanced forms.

Prevention of childhood neurosis is to create a favorable developmental environment, especially in age-related crisis periods. Temporary disorders of this nature can be observed in children during the period of adaptation to school conditions. During this period, parents need to be sensitive and attentive to the emotional state of the baby.

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These types of pathology are always associated with the emotional state of the child and are a violation of the nervous system.

Not only pronounced factors can provoke neuroses, but also situations that adults may consider insignificant.

Therapy for such conditions depends on the individual clinical picture the state of health of the child and the stage of progression of the pathology. We will talk about the treatment of neuroses of obsessive movements in children in the article.

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Description and characteristics

Neurosis is the collective name for a group of diseases accompanied by mental disorders.

The pathological process disrupts the somatic nervous system, causes autonomic dysfunctions and problems of emotional etiology.

The disease is reversible and can develop against the background of excessive feelings, prolonged feelings of anxiety, increased fatigue and other factors that negatively affect the psyche.

Where do they come from?

The causes of neurosis in children can be numerous internal and external factors.

Provoke pathology the atmosphere in which the child is brought up, experienced stressful situations and some congenital disorders associated with the performance of the nervous system.

The most common cause of neurosis is psychological trauma that occurs once or regularly.

The consequences of the negative impact of such a factor fixed in the child for a long time and become the cause of a specific reaction not only to the stimulus, but also independently of it.

Causes The development of neurosis can be the following factors:

What are there?

In medical practice, neuroses are divided into many varieties, but only a part of them can occur in childhood.

Most diseases have characteristic symptoms, but in some cases, their symptoms may resemble bad habits.

For example, a separate type of neuroses are habitual pathological actions.

In this case, the child can rock the torso when falling asleep or at any other time, bite the tips of the fingers, irritate the genitals with the hands, bite the nails, or constantly touch the hair.

Types of neuroses most often found in childhood:

1. Neurosis anxiety or fear(the child may be afraid to be alone, experience fear of the dark, in some cases these conditions are accompanied by impaired consciousness and the occurrence of hallucinations).
2. Neurasthenia or neurosis (the disease is most common in adolescents or school-age children, pathology is accompanied by excessive fatigue, irritability and sleep disturbance in a child).
3. Neurotic encopresis(the disease is diagnosed in most cases in boys of preschool and school age, the disease is accompanied by involuntary bowel movements).
4. neurotic enuresis(mental disorders are accompanied by involuntary, which in most cases occurs mainly at night).
5. Nervous (this pathology is one of the neuroses associated with a critical violation of appetite in children; not only psychological factors can provoke this condition, but also excessive feeding of the baby in infancy).
6. Neurotic (the disease begins to manifest itself in the process of development of the child's speech, the cause of its occurrence can be numerous external and internal factors).
7. Hypochondriacal neurosis(the disease is most often diagnosed in adolescents, pathology manifests itself in the form of fear of certain diseases and the child's excessive concern about his own health).
8. Neurotic tics(pathology can manifest itself at any age, but preschool boys are at risk).
9. Sleep disturbance neurotic type (the disease is accompanied by insomnia, talking in a dream, sleepwalking and other conditions).

Features of neurosis of obsessive movements

Obsessive-compulsive disorder in most cases is detected in children of preschool or primary school age.

Accompanied by this condition various types of phobias movement disorders, hyperexcitability, vegetative and sensory disorders.

A feature of this disease is a combination of fears with certain motor deviations.

When fear arises child can do the following:

• coughing;
• blinking eyes;
• imitation of a runny nose;
• head nodding;
• smacking;
• snapping fingers;
• twisting your hair around your finger.

Symptoms and signs

The manifestation of neurosis in a child depends on the form and stage of the disease. Each variety is characterized certain signs.

If several alarming symptoms occur, it is necessary to conduct an examination as soon as possible and establish the cause of the psychoemotional disorders that have appeared.

Thanks to the timely diagnosis of neurosis, the chances of a complete recovery of a small patient increase.

Symptoms of neurosis Children may have the following conditions:

Diagnostics and research

Diagnosis of neuroses in children difficult due to the peculiarities of the emotional state of patients of this age category. For a long time, parents can take the signs of this disease for the whims of the child.

This factor causes not only late diagnosis of the disease, but also the difficulty of its treatment.

If neurosis is suspected, specialists prescribe comprehensive examination for a small patient, which includes various procedures and additional consultation with specialized doctors.

At diagnostics neurosis in children, the following procedures are used:

• examination of the child by a speech therapist, neurologist and pediatrician;
• consultation of a psychiatrist, child psychologist and psychotherapist;
• psychological analysis of a child's life;
• analysis of drawings;
• assessment of the general state of health;
• holding conversations with parents.

What are dangerous?

Neuroses are not among the deadly diseases, but increase the risk of a child's death due to his unstable psyche.

The main consequences of this group of diseases are a serious violation of adaptive properties and depressive states. In childhood, neurosis can manifest itself in the form of irritability or fears.

Gradually state data will escalate. In adulthood, they will turn into phobias and can cause excessive aggression towards others.

Treatment Methods

How to treat neurosis in children? Therapy of neuroses involves a combination of several techniques. The child must be assigned sessions with a psychologist. Based on the clinical picture of the health status of a small patient, the specialist selects certain methods of treatment.

In most cases, drug therapy involves taking general tonic drugs, but in the presence of some diagnoses, specialists use potent drugs.

You can supplement the course with traditional medicine.

Psychotherapy

The treatment of neuroses with the help of psychotherapy techniques shows nice results. The treatment regimen is selected on an individual basis. In some cases, psychologists conduct sessions not only with young patients, but also with their parents.

Such a need arises if the doctor identifies the causes of neurosis in the baby, related to his upbringing or social factors. The duration of treatment depends on the individual clinical picture of the child's health.

Psychologists use the following techniques in the treatment of neurosis in children:

• individual psychotherapy;
• family psychotherapy;
• autogenic training;
• art therapy;
• hypnosis;
• group lessons to improve the communication skills of the child.

Preparations

Medical therapy for neurosis should be carried out only under the supervision of a specialist. Some drugs, if used incorrectly, can reduce the effectiveness of other treatments that are applied to the child.

For example, antidepressants are not prescribed if it is possible to control the baby's condition with the help of classes with a psychologist.

Tranquilizers are used only in advanced stages of neuroses.

With neurosis, the child may be assigned the following drugs:

• products from the category of phytopreparations (valerian tincture, adding soothing oils and tinctures to the bath when bathing);
• preparations for the general strengthening of the child's body (vitamin complexes, potassium and calcium-based products, vitamins C and B);
• means of the antidepressant group (Sonapax, Elenium);
• tranquilizers (Seduxen, Trioxazin);
• nootropic drugs (Nootropil, Piracetam).

Folk remedies

The use of folk remedies in the treatment of neurosis in children must be agreed with the doctor. When selecting alternative medicine recipes, it is important to exclude the presence of an allergy or food intolerance of individual components in the baby.

Folk remedies are not used as the main method of treating neuroses. The main purpose of their use is additional beneficial effect on the mental state of a small patient.

Examples of folk remedies used in the treatment of neurosis:

Complementary Therapy

In the treatment of neuroses in children, such methods as animal assisted therapy, play therapy and fairy tale therapy. In the first case, contact with cats, dogs, horses or dolphins has a beneficial effect on the baby's psyche.

Animals are able to develop certain qualities in a child, a desire to take care of them and, as a result, an increase in their self-esteem. The methods of play and fairy tales have similar properties.

Additionally, in the treatment of neurosis, the following can be used procedures:

• hypnosis;
• electrophoresis;
• electrosleep.

Parental behavior

Treatment of neurosis in children can take a long time. The effectiveness of therapy largely depends on the behavior of parents.

If the prescriptions of the doctors are followed, but the mistakes in education are not corrected, then the relief of the condition of the little patient will occur only for a while. Elimination of neurosis of any type - joint work of doctors and parents.

Prevention

In most cases, the causes of neuroses are the mistakes of parents in raising children or creating certain living conditions for them.

Prevention of this pathology implies specific actions on the part of adults. Parents should be aware of the degree of responsibility and control their own behavior.

Frequent quarrels in the family, constant punishment of children or underestimation of their self-esteem are common causes of neuroses, but excessive guardianship of babies can also provoke them.

Prevention measures neurosis in children are the following recommendations:

1. The exclusion of excessive guardianship of the child and the imposition of his own fears on him.
2. If there is a suspicion that the child has any form of neurosis, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible.
3. Timely and complete treatment of somatic diseases in children.
4. Prevention of excessive mental and physical stress that is not appropriate for the age of the child.
5. Developing patience and endurance in a child from an early age.
6. Raising a child in a calm atmosphere and favorable living conditions.
7. Careful consideration of the tactics of raising a child (excluding aggressiveness, excessive punishment and lowering the self-esteem of the baby from a very early age).

Most neuroses in childhood can be cured, but only if there is timely diagnosis and comprehensive treatment disease under the supervision of specialists. The sooner the parents conduct an examination, the greater the chances for favorable forecasts.

Neurosis is much easier to prevent than to eliminate, so parents need to create the most comfortable living conditions for their children. Otherwise, the existing pathology will remain untreated and lead to complications.

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Neurosis in children are functional disorders of the central nervous system. Violations occur, most often, after a long experience. Changeable mood, increased fatigue are considered as accompanying symptoms. The little patient is worried about anxiety and other characteristic signs. Parents need to know what the causes of neurosis in children can be in order to contact a qualified specialist in a timely manner.

Types of disorders in childhood

To date, neuroses are found not only in adults. Children also have problems. Parents do not pay attention to such phenomena, believing that these are the next whims of the baby, which will pass with age. But this is the wrong approach, it is necessary to understand the condition of the child.

Classification:

1. Anxiety neurosis. Appears when the baby falls asleep, occurs in attacks, sometimes accompanied by hallucinations. It is more common when parents come up with a strict image for educational purposes, and the child is afraid of him.
2. Obsessive-compulsive disorder in children develops against the background of emotional stress. It is divided into obsessive and phobic. The child is visited by conflicting thoughts that frighten him.
3. Depressive neurosis. Violations develop in adolescence, when young people are faced with low self-esteem, sleep disturbance, loss of appetite. The child spends more time alone, for him it is a comfortable environment.
4. Hysterical neurosis in children develops at preschool age. A condition in which the child falls to the floor, hits his head against hard surfaces, with screams and screams.
5. Asthenic neurosis (neurasthenia) occurs in preschool or adolescence. Violations develop against the background of a difficult school program or after additional loads. Physically weak children are more likely to experience similar problems.
6. Hypochondriacal neurosis. It develops in adolescents who are afraid of getting sick, they are overly concerned about their health.
7. Neurotic stuttering. Violations develop after a strong fright or serious psychological trauma. Most often they are faced by boys aged 2 to 5 years.
8. Neurotic tic. The source of problems are psychological factors or various diseases. Along with violations, enuresis and stuttering occur.
9. Neurotic sleep disorders. It is difficult for the child to fall asleep, he is disturbed by nightmares and night terrors. Sleep is restless, he can walk or talk at the same time.
10. Neurotic appetite disorder (anorexia), disorders that develop in early and preschool age. Children suffer from such neuroses after an attempt by their parents to overfeed them or against a background of severe psychological stress.
11. neurotic enuresis. Uncontrolled urination occurs in children at night. The reason may be heredity or factors that traumatize the psyche of a small patient.
12. neurotic encopresis. Involuntary bowel movement. Boys of preschool age are most often affected. Violations develop after psychological stress or against the background of too strict educational measures.

In addition, children develop habitual pathological habits. They suck their fingers, bite their nails, irritate their genitals with their hands, make rhythmic body movements. Similar disorders develop in children under the age of 2 years, but may appear later.

The main sources of childhood neuroses

The reasons against which neuroses arise in children and adolescents are different. Among them, the main ones should be highlighted:

• biological (heredity, complicated pregnancy, gender and age of the patient, diseases, emotional, physical stress, etc.);
• psychological (the mental state of the child, his individual characteristics);
• social (family relations, educational measures).

In most cases, the main cause of the development of neurosis is a trauma of a mental nature. It is a strong influence on the mind of the child, and it is different for everyone. On average, childhood neurosis develops in boys at the age of 5, in girls at 6. And the greater the predisposition, the higher the likelihood that even the smallest conflict situation will negatively affect the child.

Moreover, psychological trauma received at an early age can remain for a long time. There are other reasons for the development of violations, these include parental education, family troubles, difficult life situations.

Neurosis in preschool children develop against the background of a weakened body. This applies to those babies who get sick more often.

Clinical signs

Parents who are in good contact with their child will be able to replace violations in the behavior of the baby. The first symptoms of neurosis in children are a serious reason to seek help from a qualified specialist.

hysterical state

It develops in children who are the only ones in the family or in those who are the eldest. The reason for this is the wrong attitude of the parents. The child is used to the fact that adults fulfill any of his requirements, as the one and only. And when the situation changes, he begins to act up, because not everything happens as he used to.

Hysteria occurs in the presence of an adult, so the baby is trying to attract attention. He screams, makes noise, violently expresses his unwillingness to accept the surrounding reality. At preschool age, a similar symptom sometimes causes suffocation for no apparent reason.

Older children complain of pain in the heart, stomach, which do not go away after taking the drugs. These are hysterical manifestations of neurosis. And teenagers are faced with paralysis of the arms, legs and even blindness. Despite the pronounced clinical picture, the doctor will note the absence of neurological signs.

Neurasthenia

The patient develops severe weakness, the depressive state progresses. This occurs against the background of any physical or mental stress. Schoolchildren complain of fatigue after class, academic performance falls even in their favorite subjects. Teenagers feel headaches and heartaches, and most of them are sure that this is an incurable disease.

Neurasthenia is accompanied by various disorders related to night rest. The sleep is sensitive, sometimes with nightmares, it happens that it is difficult for the child to fall asleep.

obsessive-compulsive disorder

Against the background of such a neurotic symptom, various fears and movements arise, but there are no reasons for this. The compulsive state develops against the background of unreasonable and emotional fears. Children are not just afraid, they try not to think about the possible development of events.

An older child has complex phobias. Teenagers are often afraid of catching a serious disease that leads to death. In this way, any situation in which contagion factors may be encountered is avoided. Despite such thoughts, they understand that it is just fear that negatively affects them.

Neurosis of obsessive movements in children is an individual phenomenon for each of them. Violations are accompanied by constant scratching of the nose or the back of the head, sniffing or coughing, frequent rubbing of hands. Separately, experts distinguish such symptoms of neurosis as tics. They are local or general, the child will want to resist such a reaction of the body to psychological disorders, but will not be able to.

Younger children blink more often with both eyes. In schoolchildren, obsessions are accompanied by twitching of all the muscles of the face. For a teenager, this is the work of almost all muscle groups.

Enuresis and stuttering

Many parents of preschool children know about such forms of neurosis. Speech is smooth, formed, while maintaining the required pace. But when a child is worried, worried, trying to overcome an obstacle, he makes some movements, for example, snapping his fingers or various gestures.

The treatment of neurosis in children, in particular stuttering, requires the help of a qualified specialist. Otherwise, at school age, they will face even greater problems. Stuttering will be exacerbated by his shyness when speaking in front of the whole class.

Enuresis develops if there is psychological trauma and violations of the urination process. Bedwetting may be the only sign of the development of neurosis. A schoolchild or teenager, faced with a similar problem, withdraws into himself, which further aggravates the situation.

Methods of treatment and prevention

It is the psychotherapist who deals with the elimination of the true cause of the development of disorders. He will tell you how children are treated for neuroses. For this, various methods are used, including homeopathic medicines, hypnotic influence, fairy or game therapy. Sometimes the intervention of medications is required, each patient is an individual approach.

The main treatment for childhood neurosis is family well-being, the absence of quarrels and conflicts. It is necessary that a cheerful and joyful atmosphere reigned at home. You can not leave to chance any violations related to the behavior of the child. It will not go away on its own, it is necessary to treat the child using laughter and joy. The more the baby smiles, the faster he will recover.

Parents should choose reasonable measures of upbringing, you should not fulfill all the whims of the baby or strictly limit him in everything. Such actions will lead to the development of isolation and lack of will, which will be the beginning of the development of neuroses. It is important to find a middle ground.

A qualified doctor will be able to determine the first symptoms and treatment. Parents should not panic at every slightest occasion, otherwise the child will grow up with constant complaints and a terrible character. In this situation, indifference and cruelty towards him will cause the development of fear, and as a result, the appearance of an aggressive state.

Important! The basis of effective treatment is a normal and favorable environment in the family.
Qualified psychologists, before dealing with obsessive neuroses in children, conduct their own tests. They take into account all family circumstances and the upbringing of children. Parents should not only strictly adhere to all the doctor's recommendations, they should realize their mistakes, change their attitude to their duties.

Prevention of neurosis in children requires them to observe the daily routine, eat rationally, exercise and walk in the fresh air every day. Modern specialists use music or animals for treatment

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neuroses in children

What is neurosis in children -

neuroses- psychogenic diseases, which are a reaction of a person to a mental trauma (acute, sudden or prolonged psychotraumatic situation).

What provokes / Causes of Neurosis in children:

The main causes of childhood neurosis are emotional trauma, heredity, past illnesses, family relationships of parents and others, physical and emotional overload, lack of sleep, mistakes in education.

Pathogenesis (what happens?) During neuroses in children:

The basis of the psychological conflict in hysteria is the contradiction between the personality and the reality surrounding it, which does not usually satisfy the high level of claims of this personality. Patients with neurasthenia are characterized by the desire for excessive efforts that exceed the real capabilities of the individual. The cause of neurasthenia in children can be constant stimulation from parents, the desire for success without taking into account the strengths and capabilities of the child. The basis of the conflict in obsessive compulsive disorder is the struggle between desire and duty, moral principles and personal attachments.

The main feature of neurosis in children is due to their development in the emerging personality. Personality is largely determined by the type of upbringing of the child in the family. Various types of incorrect upbringing (“hyper-custody”, “rejection”, “conniving hyper-custody”, authoritarian, tough upbringing, contrasting, “hyper-socializing” upbringing) often distorts the biological characteristics of the personality, the temperament of children. At the same time, the direction of the child's reaction is disturbed, unfavorable character traits are created, and a preneurotic personality radical is often formed. The formation of a preneurotic radical leads to a feeling of inferiority, increasing anxiety, and prepares for an inadequate perception of the so-called trigger factor. In the presence of prepared soil, any careless word, offensive remark, change in living conditions and other factors can lead to neurosis. The younger the child, the more important in the origin of neurotic breakdowns are his biological characteristics, in particular neuropathy or early childhood nervousness.

Neuropathy is characterized by a violation of the emotional background of the foundations of personality. The most common cause of neuropathy in a child is the pathology of pregnancy, especially the presence of stress during it, complications in childbirth. In other cases, the pathology of pregnancy and childbirth can be the cause of a violation of the origin of perinatal encephalopathy, leading to the formation of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, this determines the poor adaptation of children in children's institutions, they often give neurotic breakdowns during hospitalization, with the slightest change in life stereotype.

The age factor, as a factor of pathogenesis, determines the clinical picture of many diseases. So, in children of early and preschool age, due to the immaturity of personality and self-consciousness, "classical" forms of neurosis are rarely observed, they are typical of neurotic reactions that are simpler in structure. Clinically, these are the so-called monosymptomatic or systemic neuroses. Most often, disorders develop in the system of motor speech mechanisms (stuttering) or the system of urination regulation (enuresis), pathological conditioned reflex connections arise between the state of affect and the most intense type of activity at the moment of affective tension. Thus, a reflex defensive movement can lead to the development of neurotic tics.

Starting as neurotic reactions, systemic neuroses can later acquire a persistent character and turn into neurotic states in school-age children and adolescents, and with age into neurotic personality development.

Symptoms of neurosis in children:

Symptomatic manifestations of neuroses depend on the nature of the mental trauma and on the characteristics of the patient's personality. The presence of certain personality traits in a child, the manifestation of certain character traits (sensitivity, hysteria, anxious suspiciousness, etc.) indicate the form of a neurotic state: neurasthenia, hysteria, obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Hysteria. Hysterical neurosis is characterized by increased sensitivity and impressionability, suggestibility and autosuggestibility, mood instability, egoism and egocentrism. One of the main properties of the hysterical personality is the demand for recognition. The basis of the psychological conflict in hysteria is a high level of claims that does not correspond to the capabilities of the individual (usually as a result of egocentric education - the "idol of the family"). Hysteria is characterized by a wide variety of symptoms. In childhood, a variety of symptoms of hysteria is rare, usually they occur in the presence of hysteroid personality traits of the child. In most children, hysterical reactions are expressed by monosymptomatic manifestations. Young children are characterized by affective-respiratory seizures (attacks of breath holding), more often manifested in the only spoiled children. The seizure develops when crying, caused by discontent, the anger of the child when his desires are not satisfied. At an older age, hysterical seizures are more diverse, sometimes similar to epileptic seizures, sometimes with asthma attacks. A hysterical fit is characterized by theatricality, expressive postures, the fit can last a long time if there are observers. Hysteria is characterized by a discrepancy between the complaints made and the objective data during the examination.

Neurasthenia. The main clinical syndrome of neurasthenia is irritable weakness. The child becomes irritable, whiny, at the slightest provocation gives violent violent outbursts, followed by repentance. Behavior is characterized by either lethargy, passivity, or motor restlessness. The mood often changes, sometimes there are manifestations of depression. Increased fatigue, inattention, decreased performance are noted. Very characteristic headache with fatigue, mental stress, less often in the morning. The headache may be constant, compressive. In older children, adolescents and adults, there is a hypochondriacal presentation of the severity of the disease, its incurability. characteristic of neurasthenia. Falling asleep is more often difficult, sleep is superficial, with nightmares, frequent awakening. Quite often, with neurasthenia, night fears are noted, usually associated with daytime experiences, with sharp vegetative manifestations - palpitations, trembling, redness or blanching of the face, etc.

Obsessional neurosis. For this neurosis, such psychological characteristics as self-doubt, indecision, suspiciousness, timidity are of great importance. Sometimes one of the parents in childhood also showed signs of anxious suspiciousness. Children from an early age are afraid of everything new, loneliness, darkness, insects, animals. At school age, suspiciousness, anxiety, fear of getting infected, getting sick are characteristic. Patients create various kinds of prohibitions for themselves (“so that something bad does not happen”). Such personality development is called obsessive, and obsessive-compulsive disorder is called obsessive neurosis.

Children are more likely to have a variety of phobias - the fear of death, infection, sharp objects, animals, etc. In most patients, various obsessive actions appear as protective measures, sometimes of a ritual nature (endless washing of hands, jumping in a certain order, patting the hand, etc.). At an older age, obsessive doubts, thoughts, and counts arise. As a characteristic feature of obsessive states, the patients have criticism of this obsession, elements of the fight against obsessive actions, and the development of protective rituals.

Often, a more complex obsessive movement and action is preceded by neurotic tics that arise as fixed conditioned reflex movements. Tiki belong to kneurosis-like disorders, in which the main cause is not psychogeny, but early organic brain damage. Differential diagnosis between neurotic and neurosis-like tics presents significant difficulties, especially since neurotic tics often occur in children with ADHD. For neurotic tics, a certain sequence of their appearance is characteristic, stereotypical contractions of individual muscle groups, reminiscent of protective movements. Usually at the age of 4-5 years, a blinking tic occurs, which disappears after a few weeks or months. However, the slightest mental stress, anxiety, fear causes tics of other muscle groups, which gradually capture the muscles of the face (raising the eyebrows, twitching the nose, pulling the corners of the mouth, eyeballs). One kind of tics is replaced by another, in more severe cases almost without interval. With insufficient treatment, with a constant psycho-traumatic situation, tics can spread throughout the body. After acute respiratory infections, so-called respiratory tics appear more often - obsessive coughing, sniffing, grunting, etc.

Tics can be part of the structure of one of three neuroses. As already noted, neurotic tics can be one of the initial manifestations of obsessive-compulsive disorder neurosis, accompanied by corresponding personality traits, a feeling of alienation, with an attempt to delay the tics by volitional effort, with the gradual addition of more complex obsessive actions and rituals. Hysterical neurosis is characterized by demonstrativeness of tics, their intensification in a certain situation, in the presence of persons to whom hysterical symptoms are directed. With neurasthenia, tics often occur (or intensify) after various somatic diseases that exacerbate other neurasthenic symptoms. In a chronic psycho-traumatic situation, the stage of a neurotic reaction is replaced by a protracted neurotic state with a leading symptom of tics.

Neurotic stuttering (logoneurosis). Stuttering is a violation of the rhythm, pace and fluency of speech associated with muscle spasms involved in the speech act. Usually, stuttering first occurs at the age of 2-4 under the influence of some strong impression, fright. The frequency of stuttering at this age is due to the intensive formation of thinking, the formation and complication of phrasal speech. In younger children, both clonic and tonic convulsions of the speech muscles are noted, in older children, tonic convulsions predominate. In the origin of stuttering in children, the presence of patients with stuttering in the family is of certain importance, and in addition to the imitation factor, a hereditary predisposition to speech pathology plays an important role. Neurotic stuttering sharply increases with excitement, accompanied by accompanying movements that facilitate the child's speech (stomping the foot, snapping fingers, etc.), sometimes facial muscle tics.

Neurotic stuttering often occurs in children with normal or accelerated speech development. In the absence of a hereditary predisposition and a normal “speech climate” in the family, with timely treatment, stuttering can completely disappear within a few weeks.

With a particularly strong fright, an affective-shock reaction may manifest itself as a lack of speech, followed by the development of stuttering. Quite often stuttering recurs. In more severe cases, stuttering occurs in patients based on the fixation of a motor speech stereotype, a neurotic state develops with a stuttering syndrome, logoneurosis. The course of logoneurosis is undulating with periodic intensification of stuttering and accompanying neurotic disorders under the influence of various psychogenic situations (heavy school workload, exams, etc.). Characterized by an increase in logoneurosis in the puberty period with an exacerbation of the personality's reaction to a speech defect, a sharp increase in logophobia.

Neurosis-like stuttering, which occurs in connection with an organic disease of the brain, develops more often gradually. Usually there is a late development of speech, tongue-tied. The absence of a personality reaction to a speech defect is characteristic, patients do not try to hide it, the severity of stuttering depends little on the situation. The reaction of the personality in neurosis-like stuttering usually appears at puberty, and then it is difficult to distinguish it from neurotic stuttering.

Enuresis, or bedwetting, may be a continuation of physiological enuresis, when, due to excessive depth of sleep, a "sentinel point" in the cerebral cortex is not produced for a long time. To neurosis only those cases of enuresis that occur under the influence of mental trauma, with a sudden change in the life stereotype (visiting a nursery, kindergarten, the appearance of a second child in the family, etc.) should be attributed.

Emphasize the role of disruption of sleep mechanisms in the pathogenesis of enuresis. The clinic of neurotic enuresis is characterized by a pronounced dependence on the situation and environment in which the child is located, on various influences on his emotional sphere. Temporary removal of a child from a traumatic environment can lead to a noticeable decrease and even cessation of enuresis. The emergence of neurotic enuresis is facilitated by such character traits as shyness, anxiety, impressionability, self-doubt, low self-esteem; children painfully experience their lack, they develop a sense of their own inferiority, anxious expectation of nighttime urination. In cases where the disease does not end in recovery, children and adolescents experience a subdepressive mood shift with dissatisfaction with themselves, isolation, sensitivity, vulnerability or increased affectivity, excitability, intemperance, anger.

Enuresis in children sometimes develops along with functional fecal incontinence. Encoprese may be the only manifestation of neurosis, more often in the form of a hysterical reaction (to the appearance of a stepfather in the family, placement in a nursery, kindergarten).

Diagnosis of neuroses in children:

It is very important to diagnose neurosis at an early age of the child. After all, the sooner a neurosis can be recognized, the easier it will be to cure it in the future. Diagnosis of childhood neurosis consists of several stages:

• Psychological analysis of a child's life.
• Analysis of family relations between parents and the child, as well as his behavior with other children and relatives.
• Conducting conversations with the child on pre-designed questions in the process of playing communication with the baby.
• Observation of the behavior of the child during the game (spontaneous or pre-organized).
• Analysis of children's drawings. Thanks to the drawings, you can understand the feelings, experiences and desires of the child.
• Examination of parents and grandparents.
• Development of the doctor together with the parents of individual psychotherapy of the child.

Treatment of neuroses in children:

In neurosis, pathogenetic treatment is psychotherapy. Psychotherapy for children is mainly aimed at improving the family environment, normalizing the system of family relations, and correcting education. The value of drug therapy, physiotherapy, reflexology is to provide the necessary psychosomatic background for a more successful psychotherapy. In neurosis-like states, especially in the presence of massive neurotic layers, psychotherapy is also of great importance, but drug therapy (both etiotropic and symptomatic) comes to the fore, as well as physiotherapy, balneotherapy, etc.

Psychotherapy

All methods of psychotherapy can be divided into 3 groups: family, individual and group psychotherapy.

Meaning family psychotherapy during treatment neuroses in children it is especially large, since in contact with family members the doctor directly studies the life problems of the family and the child, helps to eliminate emotional disorders, normalize the system of relations, and correct education. Family psychotherapy is of particular importance in preschool children, when it is most effective, when it is easier to eliminate the pathological influence of educational errors. Family therapy includes a family examination (during which a family diagnosis should be determined - a combination of psychopathological, personal and socio-psychological characteristics of the family). At the second stage, family discussions are held. Conversations with parents, grandparents. They work with the child in an office equipped as a playroom - with toys, masks, stationery. First, the child is given the opportunity to freely handle toys, books. As emotional contact is established with the child, a conversation is conducted. Family discussions usually precede activities with the child, but sometimes you can start with activities with him, while the improvement in the child's condition positively affects the course of family discussions. During family discussions, a pedagogical perspective is determined, the role of parents in psychotherapy is emphasized, and the need for close cooperation is emphasized.

The next stage is joint psychotherapy of the patient and parents. Subject games, drawing, buildings are held with preschoolers. With schoolchildren - discussion of various topics, directed subject games. In the interaction of children and parents, habitual emotional reactions and conflicts are visually determined. Subsequently, role-playing games are held that reflect communication in life (“school”, “family”). In psychotherapy, a scenario is used that children and parents act out, changing roles. The psychotherapist during the game demonstrates the optimal model of family relationships. Thus, conditions are gradually created for the restructuring of family relations and the elimination of psychological conflict.

Individual psychotherapy. The main methods are “explaining”, or rational, psychotherapy, drawing (art therapy), game, autogenic training, suggestive psychotherapy (suggestion).

Rational psychotherapy is carried out in three stages. First, after establishing emotional contact with the patient, the doctor in an accessible form explains to him the essence of his disease state. At the second stage, the doctor, together with the patient, tries to determine the source of his experiences. Subsequently, in homework (the patient must finish the story started by the doctor), he, analyzing different options for ending the story, tries to resolve difficult conflict situations himself or with the help of a doctor. Even minor successes in mastering the situation, with the approval of the doctor, contribute to the restructuring of relationships, the correction of unfavorable character traits.

Art therapy (drawing, modeling). Sometimes drawing can be the only way a child communicates. By drawing, the child understands his feelings better. Watching him while drawing gives an idea of ​​his character, sociability or isolation, especially if the child draws in a small group of children, gives an idea of ​​self-esteem, creativity, fantasy, horizons. Drawing is often used in group psychotherapy. Drawing on given topics is very informative - drawing a family, depicting fears, etc. For a doctor, an analysis of a family drawing, a conversation with a child about the faces depicted in the drawing gives more insight into the structure of the family, family relationships than the anamnesis formally collected from the mother. At the end of the session, the child “gives” the fears he has drawn to the doctor. Instead of drawing, they sometimes use the manufacture of various masks, modeling. Eliminating situational fears prevents the development of obsessive fears. A good effect of eliminating fears is noted in a group when children draw fears at home, and discuss and play them together in the classroom.

Game psychotherapy along with the drawing, it most corresponds to the age-related need of children in the game, but requires the organization of the game as a therapeutic process, the emotional involvement of the doctor, the ability to transform into a game. Used as a spontaneous game without a specific scenario, and directed, but allowing for improvisation. The game with a therapeutic purpose is indicated for children aged 2-12 years with affective and characterological disorders, difficulty in communication. The game is aimed at restoring broken relationships. In spontaneous play, the child has the opportunity for emotional and motor self-expression, awareness of tension, fear. In an improvisational game, the doctor creates stressful situations of fear, accusation, and argument so that the child learns to find a way out of the situation on his own or with his help. This method is considered the most successful in children aged 4-7 years, when an intensive process of role-based personality development takes place. At an older age, dramatization is carried out without puppets and toy props, in an imaginary setting. Thus, in joint play with the doctor, adolescents are taught to make adequate decisions in stressful situations.

One of the options for play therapy is fairy tale therapy, during which the issues of psychodiagnostics and psychocorrection are solved. With this technique, not only tell, compose and act out fairy tales, make fairy-tale characters, puppets, but also meditate on a fairy tale. During static meditation, children listen to a fairy tale in a comfortable (usually lying) position to calm music. During psychodynamic meditation, they move, reincarnating in various animals, and perform other exercises.

Autogenic training(muscle relaxation method) is performed only in adolescents. The method is effective in the treatment of systemic neurosis, in particular logoneurosis, tics. The positive emotional mood created by the doctor (“travel”, “staying in favorite places of rest”, the presentation of a sunbeam warming in a certain sequence the muscles of the lower extremities, trunk, then the upper extremities and, finally, the face) easily causes muscle relaxation, reduction and even for a time the disappearance of tics, stuttering. With each subsequent session, the effect of muscle relaxation and reduction of neurotic symptoms increases, in addition, the child has faith in recovery.

Suggestive psychotherapy includes suggestion in the waking state, indirect suggestion, hypnotherapy. Suggestion in the waking state is an indispensable element in any psychotherapeutic intervention. Suggestion is more often used in acute neurotic reactions, under the action of superstrong stimuli (hysterical amaurosis, aphonia, mutism, acute fears). Suggestion is often used in other neurotic reactions, the neurotic form of enuresis, and pathological habits. With good suggestibility and attitude towards treatment, suggestion can be carried out in a state of muscle relaxation. Often in children, indirect suggestion is used, in which a setting is created for a therapeutic effect when taking certain drugs, performing any procedures (for example, the effect of electrical stimulation in hysterical paralysis). An example of indirect suggestion is a placebo - an indifferent substance, designed as a medicine.

Hypnotherapy It is used to mobilize psychophysiological resources, strengthen the emotional-volitional sphere, it has mainly a symptomatic effect, quickly eliminating one or another symptom. Hypnotherapy is contraindicated in case of unwillingness to be treated, asocial attitudes, fear of hypnotic influence, psychomotor agitation, depression, acute somatic illness. Hypnotherapy is carried out with insufficient effectiveness of suggestion in reality, with various neurotic symptoms, asthenoneurotic conditions, psychosomatic diseases.

Group psychotherapy. Main indications for group psychotherapy:

• unfavorable personality changes with a long course of neurosis (egocentrism, an increased level of pretension);
• communication difficulties and associated affective disorders (excessive shyness, stiffness, suspiciousness, intolerance to expectations, etc.);
• the need for further correction of family relations in intractable conflicts.

Contraindications: negative attitude to treatment, pronounced disinhibition, excitability, aggressiveness and decreased intelligence. Groups are selected gradually in the process of individual psychotherapy. The number of patients within the small group: 4 patients aged 4-5 years, 6 - aged 5-11 years, 8 - aged 11-14 years. The duration of classes is from 45 minutes for preschoolers to 1 hour at 7-12 years old and 1.5 hours for teenagers, which allows you to play complex stories.

Grouping takes place through joint visits to museums, exhibitions, followed by a discussion of stories, interesting books, their hobbies, etc., in this way. tension is relieved. Children begin to share their own experiences, problems. Compared with individual psychotherapy, the disclosure of experiences in a group has a greater therapeutic effect. Next, a game method of spontaneous and doctor-guided games is introduced. This is followed by training of mental functions (using games that develop speed of reactions, attention, endurance, coordination of movements). Adolescents learn the techniques of self-control and self-regulation. There are several methods of group psychotherapy, various techniques are used in the process of classes - a variety of games that train not only the functions listed above, but also imagination, various communication techniques, observation, and creative activity. Various drawing tests are used as homework, followed by discussion. At each lesson, relaxation is carried out with the suggestion of those positive qualities that the group members acquired in the lesson. Discussion at the end of the course of treatment consolidates the results of group psychotherapy, broadens the horizons of children, develops their self-awareness.

Medical therapy

As already noted, drug therapy for neuroses is mainly of secondary importance, acting on a particular symptom, relieving tension, irritability (or depressive background), reducing asthenic syndrome. Usually drug therapy precedes psychotherapy. Perhaps complex treatment, when psychotherapy is carried out together with drug therapy, physiotherapy. Complex therapy is indicated for neurosis-like conditions. In this case, general strengthening and dehydration therapy, drugs that reduce asthenia, and nootropics are usually prescribed. The use of tranquilizers and antidepressants can complicate psychotherapy. Tranquilizers are used mainly for organic disinhibition, hyperactivity.

With neurosis, especially in children, it is advisable to prescribe infusions of medicinal plants, which can be used for a long time, up to 1.5 months. Currently, phytotherapy is increasingly used in the treatment of neuroses and psychosomatic diseases. Most medicinal plants cause a sedative effect (valerian, motherwort, etc.).

Since the children neuroses often develop on the basis of perinatal encephalopathy, neuropathy, asthenic conditions, treatment is usually carried out in a complex manner. For asthenic symptoms, general strengthening and tonic agents are recommended: calcium preparations (chloride, gluconate, lactate, glycerophosphate), lipocerebrin, vitamins, tinctures of Chinese magnolia vine, zamanihi; pantogam, nootropil are useful. In asthenic conditions with subdepressive syndrome, the use of tincture of Eleutherococcus, Aralia, Ginseng is indicated. With irritable weakness, a good effect is caused by Pavlov's mixture in combination with tincture of valerian, motherwort. Useful baths (in particular, coniferous); physiotherapy: electrophoresis with calcium, magnesium sulfate, bromine, diphenhydramine; electrosleep. Of the psychotropic drugs for hypersthenic syndrome, tranquilizers with a sedative effect (elenium, eunoctin) are used, and for hyposthenic syndrome, tranquilizers with a slight activating effect (seduxen, trioxazine). In neurotic conditions with subdepressive syndrome, small doses of antidepressants - melipramine, amitriptyline - are appropriate. With increased excitability, hyperkinetic syndrome, sonapax (melleril) is indicated.

Treatment of systemic neuroses (stuttering, tics, enuresis) is desirable to be carried out taking into account the main pathogenetic factor.

In the treatment of neurotic stuttering the main method is psychotherapy, sparing the speech climate in the family (persons surrounding the child should not force him to speak “correctly”; they themselves should speak slowly, smoothly, hummingly). The child will imitate, at a slow pace of speech, the stuttering that arose after a fright as a neurotic reaction usually passes quite quickly. Recommended infusion of medicinal plants, Pavlov's mixture, reducing the load (do not force the child's speech, read less to him, do not force memorize long poems). It is required to reduce communication with adults, not to talk with them about the child's illness, to exclude contact with stutterers. At this stage, you should not contact a speech therapist. In the presence of a pronounced affect, fright, game and drawing psychotherapy is indicated. At the stage of logoneurosis, complex treatment is carried out, in which psychotherapy is of the greatest importance (elements of explanatory therapy, suggestion in a waking state or in hypnosis, autogenic training, group psychotherapy). It is mandatory to consult a speech therapist with the implementation of his recommendations. Periodic use of sedatives, restorative agents, electrophoresis of calcium, bromine, chlorpromazine according to the collar technique or on the region of the speech muscles, electrosleep.

With neurosis-like stuttering internal speech is not developed enough, delayed speech development, dysarthria, and dysgraphic disorders are often noted. For this form of stuttering, systematic speech therapy classes are of the greatest importance. Of the drugs - dehydration, absorbable, nootropics, vitamins of group B. Therapeutic exercises with the inclusion of breathing exercises, massage of the fingers, speech muscles complement this complex. Psychotherapy is of secondary importance, shown mainly in the presence of neurotic layers.

In the treatment of neurotic tics the greatest importance is the prevention of their fixation at the beginning of development. Therefore, no comments are allowed, no requirements to take care of yourself, holding back tics. It is advisable to establish the cause (fear, imitation, overload at school, etc.) and, if possible, eliminate it. Of the drugs, phenibut is more effective. It is advisable to start psychotherapy early, its choice depends on the age of the child, it is necessary to start with individual (drawing, game) psychotherapy. Older children after individual psychotherapy are usually transferred to group therapy.

Enuresis treatment depends on the form. More common neurotic and neurosis-like enuresis. In the neurotic form, the main treatment is psychotherapy; in young and middle-aged children, hypnosuggestive psychotherapy is more effective, in adolescents - autogenic training. Of the medications in preschool children, medicinal preparations with a sedative effect are used, in older children, tranquilizers are taken in the morning and in the afternoon. For restless sleep, half the age dose of eunoctin is recommended at bedtime. Fundamentally important is the use of funds that regulate and contribute to the restoration of normal sleep. In a simple form of enuresis (hypersomnic) with a deficit of the paradoxical stage of sleep, great importance is attached to educational and hygienic measures. For example, therapeutic exercises before bedtime are recommended due to the pronounced hyperactivity of patients, the expediency of translating hyperactivity into adequate forms. Forced awakening at night is not recommended (you can wake up only if the child starts to worry). Antidepressants (melipramine) are appropriate for simple and dysplastic enuresis. In the neurotic and neuropathic form, adaptogens are recommended (Eleutherococcus, ginseng, etc.). Physiotherapy is widely used in various forms of enuresis, but often without noticeable effect. In conclusion, it should be said that physiotherapy, like many drugs, can have a therapeutic effect if they are prescribed with a suggestive mindset.

It should be noted that for all forms neuroses and neurosis-like states, treatment produces the greatest effect in their initial stage, at the stage of neurotic reaction. With the development of a neurotic state and especially the neurotic formation of personality, the effectiveness of treatment decreases markedly.

Calcium chloride - 5% solution; 1 teaspoon, dessert or tablespoon 3-4 times a day (after meals).
Calcium gluconate - tablets of 0.5 g in a package of 10 pcs. Children up to a year - 0.5 g; from 2 to 4 years - 1 g; from 5 to 6 years - 1-1.5 g; from 7 to 9 years - 1.5-2 g; from 10 to 14 years - 2-3 g 2-3 times a day.
Calcium glycerophosphate - tablets of 0.2 and 0.5 g; for children, a single dose of 50-200 mg.
Lipocerebrin - tablets of 0.15 g; children are prescribed 0.5-1 tablet 3 times a day.
- 10-15 drops 1-3 times a day before meals.
- 10-15 drops 3 times a day.
- 10 drops 2-3 times a day (before meals).
With enuresis, the drug is prescribed, starting with 2 drops at night, gradually increasing to 15-20 drops, and then it is slowly reduced (with psychotherapeutic reinforcement).
- 10-15 drops 2-3 times a day.
- 10 drops 3 times a day.
, - as many drops as the child's age, 3 times a day.
During treatment neuroses it is desirable to avoid parenteral use of drugs, in particular vitamins, especially if the child gives a pronounced negative reaction to injections.
Doses of recommended vitamins. (vitamin B6), tablets 0.002 g, 0.005 g, 0.01 g are prescribed 2-3 times a day at an age dose.
Thiamine bromide (vitamin B,), tablets of 0.002 g are prescribed 1 tablet 3 times a day.

Prevention of neuroses in children:

Prevention neuroses is to understand the causes of their occurrence and proper education. In order to prevent diseases, parents should create a favorable atmosphere, moderate physical activity and sports, start treatment of somatic diseases in a timely manner; the child's nutrition should be balanced, contain the nutrients necessary for the normal functioning of the nervous system.

In the prevention of neuroses, an important role is played by the treatment and elimination of acute and chronic infections, the prevention of brain injuries, which include birth, acute and chronic intoxication, malnutrition, lack of sleep and rest. Lack of sleep in children affects the development of an asthenic condition.

Proper upbringing is one of the conditions for the prevention of neurosis and implies the development in a child of such qualities as endurance, patience, perseverance, diligence, the ability to overcome difficulties, the ability to share with other children, to yield, to consider the interests of others, to learn social contact.

Which doctors should be contacted if you have Neurosis in children:

Neurologist

Psychotherapist

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