It is wrong to believe that neurosis can develop only in an adult, whose life is filled with stress and turmoil. Neurotic disorders very often occur in children, however, parents often mistake the symptoms for whims, attempts to manipulate the child, for a bad character. Among the variety of neurotic disorders in childhood, there are six most common conditions.
Logoneurosis (stuttering). There can be two reasons for the development of logoneurosis in childhood. First, this state occurs after a strong fright. Secondly, this type of neurosis is formed when the child, in principle, has a predisposition to stuttering. However, various factors can activate this predisposition. Often, any neurotic state in a child is a reaction to any traumatic situation that develops in the family or in the child's personal life. So, for example, problems with peers often result in various neuroses. Logoneurosis, in addition to direct speech impairment, in many cases is accompanied by nervous tics, anxiety, anxiety.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder and movement neurosis. Nervous tics can also be classified in this category, although some specialists prefer to place tics in a separate category of neurotic disorders. This type of childhood neurosis manifests itself in the unconscious repetition of any actions, in the inability to control one's condition. This can be manifested by snapping fingers, biting the lips, tics mentioned, rapid blinking, physical activity, and so on. The condition is usually exacerbated by anxiety and fear.
Anxiety and anxiety neurosis, phobic neurosis. The basis for the first and second indicated types of violation is irrational fear, which the child cannot control. However, phobic neurosis is often associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder, since it is accompanied by similar actions. Anxiety neurosis (anxiety neurosis) is usually expressed through short bouts of intense fear combined with panic. The object of fear can be literally anything, from darkness - very typical for young children - to long distance travel, even when accompanied by adults. These types of childhood neuroses are usually accompanied by vivid frightening fantasies, whims, tears.
Neurotic enuresis and encopresis. Neurotic enuresis is the inability to maintain urine at night. As a rule, this neurosis develops sharply and appears in children who are already accustomed to the toilet and know how to endure without urinating in bed. Encopresis - the inability to keep a bowel movement at night. Experts believe that such a reaction may be a response to an overly harsh treatment of a child, to aggression at home, to some strong traumatic situation, for example, parental divorce.
Hysterical neurosis. This condition is quite dangerous, it occurs both in early childhood and adolescence. Very often, it is hysterical neurosis that parents regard as a capricious character and a child's desire to manipulate. Of course, the symptoms of hysterical neurosis may be present in the character of a spoiled child, but if they begin to appear suddenly, then it makes sense to seek the advice of a specialist. Hysterical neurosis in preschoolers and younger schoolchildren is expressed in hysterical seizures, when the child cries, behaves uncontrollably, screams, may fall to the floor or try to show aggression towards people around him (hit, bite). At the same time, there is a prolonged holding of breath, due to which the condition may worsen. In adolescence, hysterical neurosis often manifests itself through imaginary seizures of epilepsy. Apnea, when the child stops breathing during sleep, is also typical for this type of neurotic disorder.
Sleep disorders of the neurotic type. Most often, neurosis in this version is manifested through sleepwalking. However, a similar diagnosis can be made in the case when the child constantly (or often) has nightmares, when the sleep is disturbing, superficial, intermittent, when the child, in principle, cannot sleep normally at night, but gets enough sleep during the daytime. Sleep disorders in the case of a neurotic disorder are sometimes accompanied by increased aggression and negativism. It is worth noting that sleepwalking (somnambulism) and other forms of sleep disturbance can develop - and very rapidly - and not due to psychotrauma. Such symptoms, for example, are typical for epilepsy, intoxication, for abnormal development of the brain. Therefore, if a child has become whiny, aggressive, does not sleep well and complains of general malaise, this is a good reason to go to the doctor.
