KATHMANDU, June 10: Health specialists have reported that various mental health issues among children are increasing due to the changing lifestyle. Doctors say that if parents do not pay timely attention to their children, it can lead to more complex problems later on.

Recently, Gauri Shrestha, 14 (name, surname changed) who had gone to Kantipur Children's Hospital for treatment had problems such as inability to concentrate, refusing to go to school, fainting at school, and experiencing stomach pain when going to school. These problems have been observed for a month or two, not just one or two days. The parents took her to Kantipur Children's Hospital. In the course of treatment, it was discovered that she had 'anxiety disorder'. Currently, she is under the supervision of a doctor and is taking medication.

After noticing unusual behavior in Subin Sharma, 7 (name, surname changed) from Chitwan, his parents took him to Kantipur Children's Hospital for treatment on Monday. It was observed that he would hit whoever he met, beat his siblings when going to school, not sit in the class, steal his siblings' belongings, eat snacks secretly, and fidget excessively. After seeing these problems persisting for a long time, his parents took him to the hospital for treatment. In the course of treatment, it was discovered that he had ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).

These two are only representative characters. Every day, 30 to 50 people come to Kanti Children's Hospital for treatment after witnessing mental health issues in their children. Dr Arun Kunwar, a child psychiatrist at Kantipur Children's Hospital, said that the number of children coming to the hospital for mental health issues has been increasing. According to him, in 2015, only 600 patients with mental problems were treated in the outpatient department of this hospital. This number increased to a staggering 12,000 in 2023.

In recent times, various mental health problems and illnesses among children have been observed, as stated by senior child psychiatrist Dr Bishwa Bandhu Sharma. He attributes this increase to changing lifestyles that expose children to risks. Dr Kunwar explains that previously, mental health issues among children existed in a similar form, but there wasn't as much awareness or comparison to the current situation. However, he says there is  a significant rise in the number of children seeking treatment for these issues now. He further mentions that while the number of children with mental health problems is significant, there are many who do not reach hospitals for treatment. According to him, some 700,000 children have some form of mental health problem or illness. Dr Kunwar also points out that mental health issues lead to suicides in some children. He states, "In recent times, the problem of suicide among children has also increased."

According to doctors, children are showing more problems like ADHD (lack of concentration, abnormal behavior), anxiety (panic), depression. According to doctors, in recent times, factors such as transitioning from rural to urban lifestyles, parents not being able to give sufficient time to their children, lack of physical exercise, staying indoors most of the time, and experiencing emotional neglect within the family are the leading causes contributing to mental health problems and illnesses in children.

Parents and society often place high expectations on children, which, along with competitive lifestyles, busy daily routines, and family conflicts, leads to a rise in mental health issues among children. Moreover, when parents leave children in the care of individuals who are not close to them for extended periods, it can have negative effects. Similarly, children who lack protection from trusted individuals may also develop various mental health problems, according to Dr Sharma. Dr Kunwar stated that despite changing circumstances, children experience heightened stress when their aspirations remain unfulfilled.

Dr Sharma warns that if parents fail to pay attention in time, there is a risk that children may become involved in criminal activities later on. Public health expert Dr Aruna Upreti mentions that inadequate nutrition can also lead to mental health issues. According to her, malnourished children may not be able to absorb enough oxygen in the brain, leading to learning difficulties. "There is an increasing trend of ADHD among many children in America," she said.

 
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