Childhood and Adolescent Mental Health Issues Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering childhood and adolescent mental health disorders, symptoms, and treatments based on Chapter 19 of Fundamentals of Mental Health Nursing.

13%

The percentage of children ages 8 to 15 who had a diagnosable mental disorder within the previous year.

Depression Factor: Family Influence

A risk factor where children are three times more likely to be depressed if their parents are depressed compared to their age-mates.

Adolescent Depression Symptoms

Symptoms that may include rebellion, intense ambivalence, anger, rage, pessimism, and low self-esteem, in addition to standard adult symptoms.

Antidepressant Use in Children

Medical treatment that should be used carefully due to some reports of increased suicide risk in this population.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

The most common childhood mental health disorder, characterized by age-inappropriate behaviors including inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity.

ADHD Diagnosis Criteria

A diagnosis generally made before age 12 that must be exhibited in multiple locations, such as home, school, or church.

Psychostimulants

Pharmacological treatments for ADHD that have a calming effect on sufferers, such as Methylphenidate (Ritalin) and Dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall).

Conduct Disorder

Chronic behavior problems associated with physical aggression, defiance, rule breaking, and a persistent pattern of violating the rights of others.

Conduct Disorder Prevalence

A condition that seems to affect males two to three times more frequently than females.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

A condition with a gradient of mild to severe that is considered the most difficult to treat and least likely to be reversed.

Autism Prevalence

A condition that affects males three to four times more frequently than females.

Impaired Social Interaction

The most common symptom associated with autism.

Autism Symptoms at 12 Months

Clinical indicators include no response to their name, avoiding eye contact, wanting to be alone, and delayed speech and language skills.

Early Intervention (Birth to 3 Years)

Services that help children with autism learn important skills by taking advantage of the brain’s ability to adapt.

Risperidone (Risperdal) and Aripiprazole (Abilify)

FDA-approved medications used for children with autism when aggressiveness or self-injury is present.

Alternative Mental Health Treatments

Non-traditional therapies including aromatherapy, play therapy, massage, neurolinguistic programming, and biofeedback.

Nursing Communication Strategy

The practice of using honest, age-appropriate communication and listening to the child/adolescent then 'doing something' to address concerns.