kachi-Educare

Common Childhood Conditions that Can Present with behavioural Problems

Before you conclude that your child or your family have been attacked spiritually or are being manipulated by some mystical/magical/evil powers, spend some time to read through these common childhood problems.
They are conditions that can be seen even in little children but can present with problem behaviour and can leave a feeble-minded parent to get superstitious.
1. Anxiety Disorder- excessive fear, can lead to impairment in functioning like schooling, personal and toilet hygiene. A child who had stopped wetting the bed could start again and wont stop even into teenage years and young adult. Usually arises from unhealthy childhood experiences and ongoing toxic family dynamics.

2. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)- a disorder of child's brain and nervous development in the womb. Usually presents with problems of inattention and hyperactivity. The child finds it extremely difficult to maintain attention and concentration, presents as very disorganized, very impulsive (not thinking through actions). All these can impact negatively on the child's ability to function at home, in school, in the market, in religious gatherings

3. Conduct disorder (CD): This set of children are prone to a pattern of behaviour that regarded as antisocial, violating the basic rights of others or societal norms that are expected to be age appropriate. These children show behaviours that leave the family and the public in shock and terrified. They are usually fighters with weapons, can engage in destruction of property, deceitfulness, bullying, theft etc.

4. Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)- not at the same intensity with CD, but they disobey rules, refuse to abide laid down norms but usually do not violate the rights of others. They are more prone to being argumentative, intentionally annoying others, vindictiveness.

5. Autism spectrum disorder- a condition that presents with deficits in social communication, restricted and fixated interest, and speech deficits and language delays. They prefer sameness. They do not like changes in routines, may throw tantrums when changes are applied. They are cold to cuddling, may avoid parents, they don't usually socialise.

6. Cerebral palsy- a condition arising from damage or trauma to the brain during child birth usually as a result of either small birth canal, over sized baby, or anything than can restrict easy passage of the baby leading to prolonged labour.
The baby have failure to develop. These children were described as (when I was a child in an Agrican village) as imbe.... They were usually left and locked up in the house when others go out and there is this myth that some of them turn into pythons or snakes.
Others believe the children are product of witchcraft.

There are many more.

Remember, whatever yoyr goals, your Mental Health is Primary.

11 SIGNS THAT YOU OR YOUR LOVED ONES MAY HAVE MENTAL ILLNESS.

1. Significant feeling of sadness/down/irritability/lack of joy
2. Confused thoughts/ poor concentration
3. Extreme fear/worries/guilt
4. Persistent fluctuations in mood (high or low)
5. Isolation from friends or activities, affecting social life
6. Significant tiredness, low energy/difficulties initiating and/maintaining sleep
7. Not in tune with reality/unrealistic suspicion of others/hearing strange voices.
8. Noticeable change in s*x drive/libido
9. Major changes in appetite/eating habits
10. Significant difficulties coping with work/people/relationship
11. Death wishes/thoughts of su***de

If you notice any of these, seek help from an expert.
We can help signpost you appropriately.
Dr Kachi

Ladies, is there anything wrong in having your dream man impregnate you if you can't get married in your prime?

PARADIGM SHIFT IN PARENTING, IMPLICATIONS ON MENTAL HEALTH

In a lot of cultures and religion it was perceived abnormal before now to have a child outside marriage. This practice gave birth to the incessant use of the word 'baztadz'.

It had its minimal benefits of preserving those cultures and it's sanctity of the marriage institution.

Unfortunately, it had its far reaching consequences on the mental health of those children and their mothers. The 'ghost' farhers would usually go scot free and among those championing the preservation of those practices.

Interest in fatherhood was tied strongly to the donors of the Sp¥ms, little emphasis on those who played the father figure.

Different versions of the Igbo culture tried to cushion this catastrophe by having the mothers of those children get married to any man, Dead or Alive, so that the children will have identity or by giving the children, rights in their maternal homes.
Despite this, there were still subtle shadings and stigmatization against these children.

Over the years, the dynamics have changed world over. Interest has moved from biogical parenting to social parenting. With this practice, interest is no longer about who gave birth to a child or donated the sp¥m. Rather, to those who played the parent figures in the child's life.

This practice is minimally represented in surrogacy but completly represented in adoptions.

Because human beings would usually devise new means, the idea of sp¥m and egg banks as well as single mothers have taken the fore.
Dome ladies have found enormous joy and stability in mental health by having their dream man (single ir married) farher their children. Sone men have done same as well wether they are single ir married.

There could be mental health benefits of these practices to such mothers and the children compared to the old order.

Let's hear what your views are.

People's character hardly change.
What changes is the opportunity to unleash innate latent behaviours.

When you think people have changed, it may be that you never had the opportunity to challenge their character.

Know this and know peace.