16 February 2021 Tuesday
Fear of pandemics occurs with these symptoms in children
The coronavirus, which affects the world, is considered as a factor affecting the mental health of both adults and children. Speaking on the subject, Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. Özden Şükran Üneri said that the pandemic can increase psychological changes and fears in children. Üneri also added that the feeling of fear that may arise in children due to pandemic, isolation and changes in their daily routines can trigger various anxieties in children and sometimes cause symptoms such as increased harmful behavior, pain of unknown origin, speech problems.
Speaking at the panel titled "Psychological Effects of the Corona Pandemic" organized by Istanbul Gelisim University online, Prof. Dr. Özden Şükran Üneri stated that the content of anxieties and fears can change during childhood and listed the mental symptoms that can be seen by age groups during the coronavirus pandemic. Drawing attention to the importance of observing children well, Üneri said, "In preschool children, symptoms such as excessive fear of strangers, sticking to parents or not being able to separate from them, sleep problems, anorexia, fears, bed-wetting may occur due to the anxiety of the period." dedi.
In the panel, besides Prof. Dr. Özden Şükran Üneri, Asst. Prof. Dr. İshak Saygılı and Asst. Prof. Dr. Mehran Rostamzadeh also took part.
ATTENTION TO LOSS, BED WETTING AND SPEECH PROBLEMS
Professor Dr. Özden Şükran Üneri said that preschool children may have behavioral problems and deterioration in skills they have acquired, and added: “Symptoms can be seen in school-age children as obvious concentration problems, inability to do the activities expected to do, displaying child behaviors at a younger age according to age and cognitive development level, even anxiety, aggression and nightmares."
"RISKY BEHAVIOR MAY OCCUR"
Stating that epidemic diseases and compulsory staying at home can trigger some problems in adolescents, Üneri said: “Some adolescents may completely deny that there is such a problem and they may not accept to make any changes in their lives. Risky behaviors such as sleep and eating problems, extreme restlessness, irritability, introversion, sadness, intense anxiety, physical pain, behavioral problems, alcohol use can be seen.”
" BE HONEST AND CREATE DAILY ROUTINES "
Providing suggestions to families for the protection of children and young people during the pandemic process, Üneri said: “Share the information you know clearly with your children appropriate for their age, be honest about things you do not know, establish daily routines, be a model as a parent, maintain social relations in a controlled manner, even via phone or internet, and ensure continuation of the treatment for pre-existing problems."
