Personality disorders are thought to originate during childhood but many health professionals are reluctant to diagnose children. Why is this?

I need to know the positives and negatives of early diagnosis of personality disorders in children.

Can someone please help me out? Thanks

<<I usually think of people with persnality disorders as egocentric and manipulative. Now, if that does not describe a child, I don't know what does. Children don't develop a social perspective, the perspective of the "other " until adolecence, and that is when it BEGINS to develop. The frontal cortex, the part of the brain used to make decisions and strategies, particularly social strategies, do not finish developing until the early twenties. For those reasons, I am hesitant to diagnose a child or even an adolescent with a personality disorder until they are an adult, beause by then they should start using more advanced methods and show understanding of how they affect other people and be able to stand support themselves emotionally and show empathy,something people with personality disorders do not do. If children show signs of personality disorders before that, such as hurting other people without showing remorse, torturing animals, or lighting fires and showing no respect for other peole and other's property, they are usually given diagnoses of Conduct Disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder, diagnoses not given to adults>>http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110425103219AAAV3VB

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/personality-disorders/DS00562/DSECTION=risk-factors

http://www.bpddemystified.com/what-is-bpd/borderline-disorder-in-children/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2538733/

http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Personality-Disorders-and-Psychopathy.htm

http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/help-information/mental-health-a-z/P/personality-disorders/

Many health professionals are reluctant to diagnose personality disorders in children for several reasons:

1. Developmental Factors: Personality traits and patterns are still evolving during childhood and adolescence, making it challenging to distinguish between normal and abnormal behavior. Some characteristics of personality disorders may resemble normal developmental phases or simply be a result of immaturity.

2. Stigma and Labeling: Diagnosing a child with a personality disorder can have long-lasting, negative effects on their self-esteem and social functioning. It may stigmatize the child and lead to unnecessary labeling, which could impact their relationships, education, and future opportunities.

3. Spontaneous Remission: Some personality disorder symptoms can naturally decrease or even disappear as children grow older and develop more mature coping mechanisms. Early diagnosis might lead to unnecessary treatments or interventions for transient or age-related difficulties that could naturally resolve on their own.

4. Diagnostic Challenges: Diagnosing personality disorders in children can be complex due to limited self-awareness and variations in symptoms expression across developmental stages. The diagnostic criteria for personality disorders are primarily designed for adults, making it difficult to accurately apply them to children.

Positives and negatives of early diagnosis of personality disorders in children:

Positives:
1. Early Intervention: Early diagnosis can enable timely intervention and support for the child, helping prevent the worsening of symptoms and associated impairments. It allows for early implementation of behavioral, psychological, or pharmaceutical treatment approaches, potentially improving long-term outcomes.

2. Increased Understanding and Support: An early diagnosis provides a framework for parents, caregivers, and educators to better understand a child's difficulties and tailor appropriate support strategies. It can enhance communication, empathy, and the development of coping skills within the child's environment.

Negatives:
1. Overpathologizing Normal Behavior: Early diagnosis may mistakenly pathologize normal behavioral variations or transient difficulties, leading to unnecessary medicalization and interventions.

2. Potential Harm from Inaccurate Diagnosis: Diagnosing a child with a personality disorder requires careful consideration and assessment. If a diagnosis is incorrect or premature, it can lead to ineffective or harmful interventions, negatively impacting the child's self-esteem and well-being.

It's important to note that the decision to diagnose or not diagnose a child with a personality disorder involves careful evaluation by a qualified mental health professional who considers the individual circumstances and available evidence.

The reluctance of health professionals to diagnose personality disorders in children stems from several reasons. First and foremost, diagnosing personality disorders in children is complex and challenging because their personalities are still developing. Secondly, children's behaviors and emotions can vary widely due to developmental stages, making it difficult to distinguish a stable and enduring pattern of behavior that characterizes a personality disorder. Additionally, children may exhibit transient behaviors that resemble symptoms of certain disorders but do not necessarily indicate a long-term personality disturbance.

Now let's discuss the positives and negatives of early diagnosis of personality disorders in children:

Positives:
1. Early intervention: Early diagnosis enables interventions to be implemented at a young age, which may help mitigate the negative impact of the disorder and improve long-term outcomes for the child. Early detection can lead to prompt access to appropriate treatments such as therapy, counseling, or medication if necessary.
2. Understanding and support: Diagnosis can provide parents, caregivers, and teachers with a better understanding of the child's difficulties, allowing them to provide appropriate support and interventions tailored to the child's specific needs.
3. Prevention of comorbidities: Early identification of personality disorders allows for the prevention or early targeting of associated conditions, such as anxiety or depression, which may develop if the disorder is left untreated.

Negatives:
1. Overdiagnosis and misdiagnosis: Diagnosing personality disorders in children can be subjective, leading to potential overdiagnosis or incorrect diagnosis. It is crucial to differentiate between transient behavioral issues and more enduring patterns of disturbance that warrant a personality disorder diagnosis.
2. Stigma and labeling: Early diagnosis in children may lead to stigmatization, both within the family and society. Labels and stereotypes associated with personality disorders could potentially impact the child's self-esteem and future opportunities.
3. Developmental variability: Children's personalities and behaviors evolve over time. A diagnosis made in childhood may not accurately predict the individual's personality trajectory in adulthood. Therefore, careful consideration is necessary to avoid prematurely labeling a child with a personality disorder that they may naturally outgrow.

It's important to remember that the decision to diagnose a personality disorder in a child should be made by experienced and trained professionals who consider multiple factors, including the child's developmental stage and the thorough assessment of symptoms.