Psychiatric assistance in the hospitalization of adolescents with chronic diseases

Abstract

Hospitalization is an unpleasant experience for all patients, likewise for adolescent patients. The most common stressors experienced by adolescents undergoing hospitalization include loss of freedom, control, and privacy; fear of injury to the body or changes in self-image; fear of disability, pain, and death; as well as separation with peers, home, and school. The stressor can trigger mental and behavioral disorders, so it can ultimately affect the therapy process and outcome. The role of psychiatrists in adolescent hospitalization is to assist, detect mental disorders that may occur, and provide appropriate procedures to overcome the disorder and prevent worsening of symptoms. This case report describes a 17-year-old teenage girl patient who was consulted to the psychiatry department because she looked sad. Patient experienced long periods of hospitalization, including having been cared in isolation and intensive care room, and had invasive procedures as well. The patient was diagnosed with a Major Depressive Episode without Psychotic Symptoms. Pharmacological therapy with 0.5 mg Risperidone tablet every 24 h orally (evening), while the non-pharmacological therapy given was supportive psychotherapy and psychoeducation to the parent.