The Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation, an NGO, has said that persistent and prolonged traumatic experiences in children can cause mental illnesses.
The Executive Director of the foundation, Rev. Chukwudiebube Nwachukwu, said this to newsmen on Friday in Enugu while speaking on Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD) in children and teens.
Nwachukwu, who is a clinical psychologist, said that children with prolonged traumatic or PDD could develop mental illnesses such as depression, eating disorders, behavioural, and emotional disorders, and anxiety disorders among others.
He said that children’s traumatic experiences could occur by having a long-term illness, being bullied in school, religious gatherings, and public places, witnessing domestic violence and sexual abuse/harassment.
“Other factors that can trigger children traumatic experiences are changing home or school, a dysfunctional family, separated or divorced parents, death of someone close to them among others,” he said.
According to him, a child or teen with Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD) will have a sad or grumpy mood most days for at least a year. He said that other symptoms of children traumatic experiences or PDD in children included: reduced or increased appetite, insomnia or hypersonic, low energy, poor self-esteem, feeling hopeless and difficulties concentrating.
“They might also have trouble eating, sleeping, feeling tired, not feeling good about themselves, having trouble focusing, making decisions or feeling hopeless. The condition, though less severe than major depression, persists for extended periods.
“It is characterised by a persistent feeling of mild depression or irritability, although it occasionally triggers more intense emotions. Unfortunately, it often remains undiagnosed and, if left untreated, can escalate into more severe mental health and behavioural issues,” he said.
The executive director said that fortunately, it could be effectively managed through psychotherapy and medication therapies.
