In the Republic of Moldova, pediatric psychiatrists can start to supervise a child at the age of four. This can be done earlier if it is required, but through the agency of the family doctor. The pediatric psychiatric recommends symptomatic treatment and monitors the psycho-physical development of the child.

Eugenia Dumitras, pediatric psychiatrist at the Mental Health Community Center that was recently opened in Centru district of Chisinau, has told IPN that owing to the good training, family doctors can now detect cases of autism up to the age of three, as they can also detect states of hyperactivity. The hyperactive children are usually treated based on symptomatic treatment because last-generation stimulant medications, which are expensive, are not brought to Moldova.

30-40 pills cost about 1,000 lei. There are cases when the treatment lasts for years, with breaks, and it is very difficult for families with low incomes to cover these costs.

The stimulant medications abroad are more often recommended by doctors because they think that owing to them the child has greater power of concentration, can learn more insistently and manages to obtain the necessary knowledge until the age of 16-18, as the mates.

Asked about the disorders that bring a child to the pediatric psychiatrist, Eugenia Dumitras said it is not mandatory for the child to have serious disorders. Pediatric psychiatric consultation can be necessary and is recommended in case of posttraumatic stress disorder that manifests itself in sleeping problems and mood swings, generalized anxiety disorder or even behavioral problems. There are also disorders that require the continuous surveillance of the specialist doctor, such as mental retardation, schizophrenia, mood and personality disorders and autism.