There are growing concerns for the toll lockdowns are having on teenagers, but those as young as three are also developing symptoms of anxiety.
Children as young as three are developing nervous tics and sleep apnoea during Melbourne’s sixth Covid-19 lockdown, according to doctors.
Clinical psychologist Andy Prodromidis said he had noticed at least a 50 per cent jump in the number of parents struggling with the latest lockdown.
He said there was an increased risk of children experiencing “vicarious trauma” this time around, with many as young as three wetting the bed more frequently and developing nervous tics such as twitching, eye blinking and lip biting.
“Limited social contact can impair children’s development and, in some cases, contribute to significant emotional and behavioural problems that may require professional help,” he said.
“Many parents have reported struggling with a variety of issues including reduced income, job losses and uncertainty about the future.”
“This can have a negative impact on young children who are exposed to significant stress and anxiety in their parents.”
Dr Prodromidis said the true impact of lockdowns on children would not be known for “many years to come”.
“What kids need now, more than ever, is social connection, and anything that can help in this regard is a positive thing,” he said.
“It’s very important for families to try and stay connected and for kids to keep in touch with family and friends, be physically active and get a good night’s sleep.”
Children have been particularly hit by the latest swath of lockdown restrictions, with health officials enforcing a ban on playgrounds as the Covid-19 Delta variant sweeps through the younger population.
Of the state’s 841 active Covid-19 cases on Tuesday, 182 were aged up to nine, 125 were aged between 10-19 years and 177 were aged between 20-29.
Paediatrician Dr Luke Sammartino has also noticed an uptick in toddler-aged children suffering during this lockdown, which has been in place since August 5 and has just been extended beyond September 2.
“I have seen many children with symptoms of acute anxiety and especially the onset of nervous tics,” he said.
“Our kids are becoming increasingly distressed. Our children know that something is going on even if we are not talking with them about Covid.
“They miss their friends and extended family, they see the news and other screens and they are frustrated.”
There are growing concerns of the toll the lockdowns are having on teenagers, with chief psychiatrist Neil Coventry reporting hospitals are dealing with a significant increase in the number and severity of young people self-harming.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is expected to make announcements on Wednesday about a plan that would ease lockdown rules modestly once “new thresholds” of low case numbers are met.
The Premier hinted that VCE students and “senior cohorts” would be included in upcoming restriction changes, but schools would not resume classroom learning.
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