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In the “healthy & happy” podcast, Klara Humer-Golmayer, specialist in child and adolescent psychiatry at the Salzkammergut Klinikum Vöcklabruck, talks about psychological stress, warning signs and therapeutic options for young people. In the interview, the expert explains what families should consider and how therapy works.
Especially since Corona, the increased numbers of mental illnesses among children and young people have been a recurring topic. Do you feel that too?
Humer-Golmayer: Yes, but things have gotten a little better than during the pandemic. However, we are not yet at pre-pandemic levels. 16 percent of our children and young people say they occasionally have suicidal thoughts. There are often four children in a school class who have parents at home who are mentally ill. That’s a lot, it has to be taken seriously and it’s also important to be careful.
What problems do children and young people most often come to you with?
The burdens are diverse. It often happens that children or young people come to us when the family has already tried a few things themselves but has reached their limits. Many issues play a role: pressure to perform at school, family conflicts, loneliness or a lack of social contacts. It is often a mixture of fears at school, problems at home and a lack of support from friends.
In your opinion, when has the point been reached where parents should seek professional help?
Parents should seek help if their child withdraws significantly, is almost exclusively in the room, develops severe fears or everyday life no longer functions as usual. Warning signs also include sleep disorders, changed eating habits or a significant loss of enjoyment of life.
At what age do you treat children and young people?
We treat children from six years old to 18 year olds. Our day clinic is organized in groups so that the younger ones can learn from the older ones and vice versa. Very young children under the age of six are only treated together with their parents – for example if they have severe separation anxiety.
What symptoms are common in younger children?
Psychosomatic complaints such as recurring abdominal pain or headaches, nausea or shortness of breath are particularly typical. It is important to first have medical causes clarified.
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