Zeitschrift für Psychologie und Psychotherapie
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Child Mental Health during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Report

Saachi Arora*, Ruchi Varma, Vibha Sharma

COVID-19 pandemic has affected a large part of population in general. Children have been observed and reported to show a heightened level of distress, fear, helplessness and related behavioral issues during the pandemic and lockdown, as their normal routine activities including school and play had been largely restricted during this time. The present article is an attempt to highlight some of the major psychosocial issues faced by children during the pandemic through a case study.

Aim: To understand the psychosocial impact of the corona virus pandemic in children along with its psychological management.

Case presentation: Case of a ten year old male child is presented here who developed episodes of unresponsiveness, fear of uncertainties, and anxiety of losing his parents as a consequence of being infected with the virus and various behavioral problems during pandemic time. The problems of child were understood in context of the psychosocial and family factors. Psychological management included psychoeducation and addressing secondary gains through parental counseling. Further psychoeducation and supportive counseling of the child was done in an easy language to address his pandemic related worries; also training of healthy coping styles and problem solving skills to prevent relapse was provided.

Results: The parents and child reported decline in the symptoms and their distress to a significant extent along with increased socio-occupational functionality of the child. Findings have been discussed in light of the need to understand and address the psychosocial issues specific to COVID situations which are affecting the mental health of children during current times.