Pediatric Clients
In completing the case study, students will be addressing the following learning objectives:
Identify factors that contribute to psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents.
Discuss general interventions available for children or adolescents with psychiatric disorders.
1. Jeremy is a 9-year-old child hospitalized in the children's unit of a psychiatric hospital. Jeremy's biological father died 2 years ago, and the mother now has a live-in boyfriend who has repeatedly sexually abused Jeremy. Jeremy's teacher reported this abuse to the Children's Protective Services, and Jeremy was removed from the home. Jeremy's biological mother has experienced a depressive disorder for several years. Since he has been living with his foster parents, Jeremy has exhibited numerous problems of angry outbursts with physical violence toward other children living in his foster home. The foster parents are seeking help from the psychiatrist to continue to care for Jeremy in their home.
a. Identify some of the factors that contribute to psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents.
b. What interventions would be most appropriate in the treatment of Jeremy?