Mental health constitutes an integral part of an individual’s overall health and children are no exception to this rule. The psychopathological symptoms and mental disorders that are observed in children and adolescents differ from those observed in adults. The pediatric psychiatrist is the most suitable person to properly address these cases, since they have full understanding of a child’s normal development (biological, cognitive and psychoemotional) from birth to adulthood; they also have knowledge of developmental psychology and neuropsychology.
Pediatric psychiatrists are called upon to treat the following cases: deviations from normal psychokinetic/cognitive development, specific developmental disorders of speech and language or of motor function, diffuse development disorders (autism, Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, etc.), stuttering, specific development disorders of scholastic skills (learning difficulties), hyperkinetic disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorders, denial of school, behavioral and emotional problems, social functionality disorders, feeding and eating disorders in early childhood, urination and encopresis that are not due to organic defect, tics, anxiety, phobias, panic attacks, depression, psychotic disorders, suicidal or self-injury behavior, psychogenic anorexia and bulimia, sleep disorders in children and adolescents, psychosomatic disorders, juvenile delinquency and anti-social behavior, consequences of child abuse, neglect and sexual abuse, divorce issues, adoption issues, mourning and loss as well as problems that arise or co-exist with general physical conditions or diseases (epilepsy, juvenile diabetes, malignant diseases, disabilities), and psychological impacts from emergency pediatric cases.
Operating under the umbrella of the Pediatric Department is a well-organized Pediatric Psychiatry Unit, staffed by a pediatric psychiatrist, pediatric psychologists and other specialists.
