Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — The number of children being treated for mental problems is on the rise. Parents can be too tough when bringing up their children, claiming that harshness and violence prepares their children for the real world. Parents often forget that such methods of upbringing can cause severe psychological and physical problems, reported Al-Riyadh newspaper It is not strange to find children nestled in their parents' arms, or even alone, at waiting rooms throughout the Kingdom, hiding their faces and hiding their scarred memories. Dr. Ahmad Al-Hariri, a psychiatric and social medical consultant, said that seeing children frequent psychiatric clinics is no cause for alarm. On the contrary, he said, the phenomenon is evidence of a new kind of awareness in the Kingdom regarding psychological issues. Some issues, he added, are only present in children. The International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) and the American Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) list many such cases. He said: “There are even several medical fields specific to the study of psychological problems in children. “Psychological problems can first appear in children in their very early childhood in what are called ‘developmental disturbances'. “These disturbances can have no physical trace and remain entirely psychological.” These problems can vary from issues related to breastfeeding to the child's resentment of their parents and problems with toilet training. Some of these disturbances can lead to problems in language and speech impediments, a wide array of learning problems, violent and abusive sibling rivalry and behavioral problems, as well as innate disorders and syndromes such as Asperger's Syndrome and Down's Syndrome. Al-Hariri said: “Psychological problems in children are typically due to their interactions with their environment.” He indicated verbal, physical and sexual abuse were some of the most dangerous factors that could lead to mental problems. “However, psychological problems can also be hereditary and can transfer genetically from either parents to the child.” Al-Hariri condoned pediatric behavioral therapy as a viable solution for children suffering from psychological problems, stating that its purpose is to treat traumatic experiences in children and rehabilitate them. He also indicated a psychiatrist's' role in modern society becoming a basic need for families and children, whether in the treatment of disorders and diseases or in the development of a child's skills and gifts. Al-Hariri said an increase in awareness in a child's upbringing over the past 10 years, indicates a significant social change. "Many of the methods parents used in the past to raise their children have become frowned upon. “It used to be that violence was the only way a parent raised their child, while these methods are now on the verge of becoming criminal offenses,” he said. Al-Hariri added parents are quickly becoming more aware of the psychological problems that children are prone to. “Consultants are being approached even in cases where parents wish to study their children's level of intelligence and the nuances of their personality. “They are also becoming a valuable tool for parents seeking to diagnose and treat their children.” Many families are now resorting to cognitive behavior therapy as a first solution to their children's problems, which diminishes the stigmas in resorting to prescription drugs. Al-Hariri attributes this rise in awareness to the media's role in educating the public. He said: “Consultants and specialists are happy to see children in clinics, as it is an indication of a heightened level of awareness regarding social, developmental and behavioral issues. “Parents are not hiding their children as frequently anymore, but are seeking treatment through the proper channels.” Al-Hariri concluded that this level of awareness, with the help of the media, is working to improve the overall mental health of the Kingdom.
