506 Unit 4 NURSINGPRACTICE FORPSYCHIATRICDISORDERS
haloperidol (Haldol) and chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
have been effective for stereotypic movement dis-
order associated with mental retardation and autis-
tic disorder.
SELF-AWARENESS ISSUES
Working with children and adolescents
can be both rewarding and difficult. Many disorders
of childhood, such as severe developmental disorders,
severely limit the child’s abilities. It may be difficult
for the nurse to remain positive with the child and
parents when the prognosis for improvement is poor.
Even in overwhelming and depressing situations,
the nurse has an opportunity to positively influence
children and adolescents, who are still in crucial
phases of development. The nurse often can help these
clients to develop coping mechanisms to use through-
out adulthood.
Working with parents is a crucial aspect of deal-
ing with children with these disorders. Parents often
have the most influence on how these children learn
to cope with their disorders. The nurse’s beliefs and
values about raising children affect how he or she
deals with children and parents. The nurse must not
be overly critical about how parents handle their
children’s problems until the situation is fully un-
derstood: caring for a child as a nurse is very differ-
ent than being responsible around the clock. Given
their own skills and problems, parents often are
making their best efforts. Given the opportunity, re-
sources, support, and education, many parents can
improve their parenting.
Points to Consider When Working
With Children and Adolescents and
Their Parents- Remember to focus on the client’s and par-
ents’ strengths and assets, not just their
problems. - Support parents’ efforts to remain hopeful
while dealing with the reality of their child’s
situation. - Ask parents how they are doing. Offer to an-
swer questions, and provide support or make
referrals to meet their needs as well as those
of the client.
➤ KEY POINTS
- Psychiatric disorders are more difficult to
diagnose in children than in adults because
their basic development is incomplete and
children may lack the ability to recognize or
to describe what they are experiencing. - Children and adolescents can experience
some of the same mental health problems
seen in adults such as depression, bipolar
disorder, and anxiety. - The disorders of childhood and adolescence
most often encountered in mental health
settings include pervasive developmental
disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder, and disruptive behavior disorders. - Mental retardation involves below-average
intellectual functioning (IQ below 70) and is
accompanied by significant limitations in
I NTERNET R ESOURCES
Resource Internet Address
◗American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry http://www.aacap.org/
◗Administration on Developmental Disabilities http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/add
◗Tourette Spectrum Disorder Association, Inc. http://www.tourettesyndrome.org
◗National Attention Deficit Disorder Association http://www.add.org
◗Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorders (CHADD) http://www.chadd.org/
◗National Center for Learning Disabilities http://www.ncld.org
◗Center for the Study of Autism http://www.autism.com
◗Conduct and Oppositional Defiant Disorders http://www.conductdisorders.com