Should we be “diagnosing” children with psychological disorders
Should we be “diagnosing” children with psychological disorders? Use current US scholarly journals to support your opinion. 2. Psychiatric Assessment of Children Under 18 After studying Module 2: Lecture Materials & Resources, address the following in a well-written discussion post: • One common dilemma faced by psychiatric nurse practitioners is determining who the “client” is. Given that children are typically brought for treatment by their parents, describe how the psychiatric nurse practitioner would respond to a child who discloses they are indulging in illicit behavior and asks you not to tell his or her parents
Facilitating Research: Standardized diagnostic labels, such as those in the DSM-5, are essential for researchers to study the causes, trajectories, and effective treatments for mental health conditions. Without reliable categorization, advancing our understanding of childhood psychopathology would be impossible (Insel, 2014).
Validation and Normalization: A diagnosis can provide validation for the child and family, confirming that the child's struggles are due to a recognized disorder, not a moral failing or poor parenting. This can reduce self-blame and stigma.
Concerns and Caveats (Cons)
Stigma and Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: Diagnostic labels carry a significant risk of stigma, which can negatively affect a child's self-concept, social relationships, and future opportunities. If a child internalizes the label, it can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy, where the child behaves according to the disorder's expectations (Mash & Hunsley, 2022).
Misdiagnosis and Developmental Context: A key risk is misdiagnosis due to the fluid and rapidly changing nature of child development. Behaviors that are typical at one age may be pathological at another. Furthermore, many childhood symptoms are better viewed as a stress response rather than an enduring disorder, making careful differential diagnosis critical.
Sample Answer
Diagnosing children with psychological disorders is a complex and highly debated topic. While there are significant benefits, the practice is also fraught with ethical and clinical challenges.
🧠 Diagnosis of Psychological Disorders in Children
Yes, we should be diagnosing children with psychological disorders, but with extreme caution and a clear emphasis on ensuring the diagnosis is functional and not purely descriptive.
The consensus in US scholarly literature leans toward using diagnostic labels to facilitate treatment, access services, and advance research, provided the process is thorough and considers the child's developmental context.
Support for Diagnosis (Pros)
Access to Treatment and Resources: The primary benefit of a diagnosis (e.g., ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder) is that it is often a mandatory prerequisite for obtaining crucial services. These include insurance coverage for therapy and medication, school-based accommodations (e.g., Individualized Education Programs or IEPs), and community support programs (Kendall & Piacentini, 2020).