How to define neurosis in a child? Depending on the type of neurotic disorder, there will be any signs typical for this or that form of the disease. For example, one of the important manifestations of hysterical neurosis in childhood are interruptions in breathing, complaints of a state of suffocation. However, the general symptoms of childhood neuroses can also be distinguished. What are they?
Neurosis is a disease that manifests itself both through the psyche of the child and through physiology. Therefore, it is reasonable to divide the general symptoms of childhood neuroses into two categories.
Physiological signs of a neurotic state in a child
The symptoms of childhood neuroses usually begin to manifest themselves as if spontaneously. Gradually, they can progress, worsen, complicating the life of both the child and the parents.
The first signs of a neurotic state on the part of physiology may be nervous tics. Most often, uncontrolled muscle twitching affects the face: eyelids, corners of the lips, chin. However, tics can occur throughout the body.
Violations of the autonomic nervous system belong to the category of common symptoms of childhood neuroses. How can they manifest? Through headaches and dizziness for no apparent reason, through tremors of the limbs, changes in blood pressure, flies before the eyes and through ringing in the ears. It is not uncommon for a child to have a tendency to sweat.
Against the background of a developing neurosis, a child may experience photophobia, excessive sensitivity to loud sounds, temperature changes may appear.
Symptoms of neurotic disorders in childhood usually include problems with digestion, which are not caused by an improper diet, poisoning or other diseases. Neurosis can manifest itself through rumbling in the abdomen and constant bloating, increased gas production. Stool is capable of breaking: neuroses are characterized by both constipation and from time to time diarrhea. Abdominal pain, colic, nausea, and even vomiting are also often part of the symptomatology.
In addition to all of the above, signs of neurosis in childhood can be:
- memory and concentration disorders, attention;
- muscle weakness, increased fatigue, complete breakdown in the child;
- excessive excitement, stereotyped movements;
- a tendency to bite your nails or lips;
- skin diseases, nervous itching, skin rashes, urticaria;
- pains arising in different parts of the body and passing on their own;
- vision and hearing problems;
- insomnia;
- impaired appetite, a change in the child's taste preferences, complaints of persistent dry mouth or an unpleasant taste even after the child brushes his teeth;
- increased urination or, conversely, prolonged urinary retention;
- various changes in facial expressions;
- symptoms characteristic of diseases of the respiratory system, blood vessels or heart;
- feeling of cold or heat that occurs for no reason, goosebumps, numbness in various parts of the body, cold hands and feet.
Emotional and psychological symptoms
Childhood neurotic disorders are almost always accompanied by inadequate anxiety, irrational fears, frightening fantasies and thoughts. The child may begin to "get stuck" in a negative emotional state, he may have obsessions. In rare cases, with neuroses in childhood, hallucinations of a frightening nature occur.
Children with neurotic disorders become moody and whiny. They are easily irritated, have poor control over their behavior, have almost no control over emotions. In some cases, increased aggression appears, a tendency to harm oneself (auto-aggression), outbursts of anger, negativism may be present.
Common symptoms of neuroses in children also include:
- the desire to be constantly alone, refusal to meet with friends, isolation;
- feeling of constant inner anxiety;
- depressive motives in the behavior and mood of the child;
- unreasonable and sudden mood swings;
- resentment and painful reaction to any criticism, to remarks;
- problems with self-esteem, a tendency to think for a long time before making a decision, the inability to make a choice, constant doubts, suspiciousness;
- hypochondria;
- excessive fearfulness, inadequate nervous reactions even to a minimal stimulus;
- inability to cope with even mild stress;
- panic attacks.
