Anxiety Disorder case scenarios
1. Case Scenario 1: Anxiety Disorder
- Patient: A 9-year-old child experiencing extreme fear and worry about everyday situations, leading to avoidance behaviors and physical symptoms like stomachaches.
- Treatment: The child is prescribed medication to manage anxiety symptoms and is recommended to attend therapy sessions to address underlying causes.
2. Case Scenario 2: Eating Disorder
- Patient: A 12-year-old girl displaying signs of restrictive eating and obsession with body weight, leading to significant weight loss and social withdrawal.
- Treatment: The child is referred to a psychiatrist for evaluation and possible medication treatment to address the eating disorder. Family therapy is also recommended to provide support.
3. Case Scenario 3: Mood Disorder
- Patient: An 8-year-old boy exhibiting prolonged periods of sadness, irritability, and loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed.
- Treatment: Following a psychiatric assessment, the child is prescribed medication to stabilize mood fluctuations and is encouraged to engage in cognitive-behavioral therapy to develop coping skills.
4. Case Scenario 4: Neurodevelopmental Disorder
- Patient: A 6-year-old child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, experiencing challenges in social communication, repetitive behaviors, and sensory sensitivities.
- Treatment: The child receives individualized therapy interventions tailored to address specific areas of difficulty, along with medication to manage associated symptoms like aggression or hyperactivity.
5. Case Scenario 5: Trauma & Stress-Related Disorder
- Patient: A 10-year-old experiencing nightmares, flashbacks, and emotional distress following a traumatic event such as witnessing a car accident.
- Treatment: The child undergoes trauma-focused therapy to process the event, in conjunction with medication to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.
6. Case Scenario 6: Impulse-Control Disorder
- Patient: An 11-year-old displaying impulsive behaviors such as difficulty controlling anger outbursts, defiance towards authority figures, and engaging in risky activities.
- Treatment: The child is assessed by a psychiatrist for impulse-control disorder and may be prescribed medication to manage impulsivity while participating in behavioral therapy to enhance self-regulation skills.
7. Case Scenario 7: Sleep Disorder
- Patient: A 7-year-old experiencing persistent difficulty falling asleep, frequent night awakenings, and daytime fatigue impacting school performance.
- Treatment: The child undergoes a sleep assessment to identify underlying causes of the disorder. Medication for sleep disturbances may be prescribed temporarily while implementing behavioral strategies to improve sleep hygiene.
8. Case Scenario 8: Substance-Related & Addictive Disorder
- Patient: A 12-year-old experimenting with alcohol or drugs, leading to changes in behavior, academic decline, and social conflicts.
- Treatment: The child is referred to a psychiatrist specializing in substance-related disorders for comprehensive evaluation and potential medication-assisted treatment. Family therapy and substance abuse counseling are integral parts of the treatment plan.
These case scenarios highlight the diverse range of psychiatric mental health disorders that children aged 0-12 years may face, emphasizing the importance of early identification, appropriate intervention, and holistic treatment approaches involving medication management when necessary.