Almost half of all children and adults with Down's syndrome experience significant mental health problems in their lifetime. Children and adults with multiple medical problems have a higher rate of mental health problems. The most common mental health problems include generalized anxiety; repetitive and compulsive behaviors, opposing, impulsive and attentive behaviors; sleep-related difficulties; depression; autism spectrum conditions, and gradual loss of cognitive abilities. Besides, Ahmed Hawari writes in his book "The Upside of Down Syndrome," how children with Down's syndrome are unique in their skills and how he got his motivation from his son.
However, this article highlights some of the prominent mental health issues in children with Down's syndrome
1) General Anxiety
The first and most common issue is general anxiety. These are the most prominent manifestations of Down syndrome in children and adults. It is manifested by higher basic levels and a higher level of situational anxiety, all with an exact source of stress. Situational anxiety is usually revealed in transitions and expectations of new situations, such as home-to-school, bedtime transitions, and in new and unfamiliar situations, uncertain expectations of the environment.
2) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Higher levels of disturbance and anxiety can cause children or adults to exhibit very rigid behaviors and even lead to a "stuck" state. The parents often state that children or adults need to follow familiar routines in this situation. They also act repetitively and engage themselves in compulsive and ritualistic behaviors, which causes problems of obsessive-compulsive disorder. In this case, children or adults tend to feel unhappy and scared, and these two states (general anxiety and compulsive behavior) can coexist.
Children with the destructive, antagonistic, and attentive nature of Down's syndrome do not usually get unhappy, but they feel silly, happy, and over-excited. For parents or caregivers, these issues are very challenging because children/adults with Generalized Anxiety Disorder or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Down Syndrome tend to get stuck, freeze, and need a high degree of attention.
3) Depression
The third common issue is depression. Children and grownups with symptoms of depression often exhibit extreme social withdrawal, sad (but not unstable) emotions, and an inability to enjoy many of the activities they once loved. Parents often report that the child/adult's behavior was unprecedented. Sleep disorders usually occur concurrently in conditions of depression and anxiety, and it does not necessarily help to differentiate them. The most significant aspect of depression in children and adults with Down syndrome is its relationship to environmentally damaging triggers.
These can include previously unrecognized medical illness or psychological pain or stress, for example, college siblings going to college, sudden or chronic disease of family members, pet deaths, etc. Compared to ordinary people with similar conditions, all of these common events are abnormal for children and adults with Down's syndrome, and their psychological effects are disproportionate.
4) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Children and adults with Down's syndrome usually have great difficulties in treatment and have very significant challenges in maintaining attention to tasks. In children with more cognitive and receptive language deficits, especially for younger age groups, attention disorders usually come with impulsive and hyperactive behaviors. This pattern of attention deficit is consistent with the diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Therefore, many children with this typical behavior have received stimulant therapy.
In conclusion, many people with Down's syndrome experience significant cognitive delays and other related physical conditions. They have an extensive range of abilities, and everyone develops such skills at their own pace. Although their development may be delayed, many people have achieved meaningful development milestones and lived very pleasant and prosperous lives.
Author's Bio:
Ahmed Hawari is a strategic business development expert. He is most passionate and dedicated to his nonprofit foundation and book "The Upside of Down Syndrome," ISBN: 978-1-950088-98-0, inspired by his son Ismail, who has Down syndrome.
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