Know your Child's Behaviour...

Few weeks back we had a 12 year old boy who was not going to school properly for past sixmonths and found stealing money frequently from house. He used to get dressed in school uniform and go out of house but he doesnt attend school. When questioned what he was doing without going to school he was angry towards his mother. His father was a chronic alcoholic who didnot care for his family.

So his mother decided to follow him to school . He as usual started to school but didnot go to school. He went to his friend's house. His mother caught him red handed inhaling glue from a plastic bag with few of his street boys in the house. She was not aware of the abuse pattern of these volatile/inhalant substances. She had beaten him up. The very next day the boy took 400 rupees from his house and ranaway from his house and went with few of his street boys to railway station.He was caught by the police wandering around .He had a  bag of glue sticks and plastic bags. The police has adviced his mother to consult a doctor.

His mother just then realized her son has some problem and took him for treatment.The magnitude of the abuse pattern of inhalants/volatile substances is more than one could imagine. The most common age group using the inhalants and volatile substances are young adolescents due to the easy availability cheap price and are legally available.The most common used substances are glue,gasoline,spray paints,thinners, varnishremover, stain removers and kerosene. The abusers sniff the vapour or fumes from the volatile

substances sprayed in plastic bags to maximise the effect.The children particularly growing in  low socioeconomic status are found to use the volatile substances more commonly due the cheap price. These substances contain toluene ,butane acetone and few other substances which cause tremors incoordination impaired judgement behavioural disturbances and in severe cases respiratory depression cardiac problems and even death.

The abusers are usually found to have anti social personality traits.They are usually self injurious and have conduct disorders.These persons usually later shift to dependence of alcohol cannabis and other illegal substance usage. It is very necessary to identify the behaviour in a very early stage because in later stages  it is usally difficult to treat. As for the boy was concerned he was inhaling glue for about an year and has even started smoking.The prognosis of this child is poor considering  the factor his father is a chronic alcoholic and  the duration  the  boy was inhaling the substances. The main reason is many parents are ignorant about these type of behaviours like the boy's mother.So please be aware and if you notice any such habits in your child's behaviour please consult your psychiatrist as soon as possible.

Lets make a difference.

Dr. Bevinsathya..