Screening of Child and Adolescent in Psychiatry (Screening for mental health issues in Children)

The video presents a comprehensive overview of screening for mental health issues in children and adolescents, led by Dr. Suresh Badmint, a professor of psychiatry. The discussion emphasizes the importance of thorough assessments and the various domains to consider during screening.

Key Wellness Strategies and Self-Care Techniques:

• Screening Types and Timeframes:
  • Screening: 10-20 minutes
  • Detailed Evaluation: 30-45 minutes
  • Follow-up: 5-10 minutes
• Information Gathering:
  • Collect data from multiple sources: parents, relatives, friends, and schools.
  • Use observation reports from various settings (home, school, social situations).

Productivity Tips for Effective Screening:

• Understanding Behavioral Context:
  • Assess how a child's behavior varies in different environments (home, school, social).
  • Identify if symptoms are externalizing (across all domains) or internalizing (often only at home).
• Interview Environment:
  • Ensure the interview room is child-friendly: bright colors, space to move, and engaging materials (toys, art supplies).
• Engagement Techniques:
  • Use emotion cards to help younger children express feelings.
  • Include play materials to keep children engaged during waiting periods.
• Screening Objectives:
  • Determine if immediate care is needed and assess for safety concerns (abuse, suicidal thoughts).
  • Make provisional diagnoses and plan for future evaluations.
• Assessment Domains:
  • Focus on nine critical domains during screening:
    • Demographic details
    • Chief complaints and brief history
    • Family history
    • Personal history
    • Temperamental history
    • Past medical history
    • Child interview and observation
    • Mental status examination
    • Provisional diagnosis
• Direct Questioning:
  • Ask direct questions about self-harm or suicidal thoughts to gather accurate information.
• Documentation:
  • Keep a chronological record of symptoms and their contexts.
  • Gather information on the child’s social media interactions for additional insights.
• Multi-Source Information:
  • Collect information from various family members and professionals to ensure accurate diagnosis.

Final Recommendations:

• Referral and Follow-up:
  • If necessary, refer the child to specialists (e.g., ENT, ophthalmology) based on findings.
  • Consider follow-up evaluations and potential medication adjustments based on the provisional diagnosis.

Presenters/Sources:

• Dr. Suresh Badmint, Professor of psychiatry at NIMHANS, Bangalore.