Growth stages like childhood and adolescence are when symptoms of emotional and behavioral disorders first begin to show. With these disorders come a myriad of challenges, both for the individual and for those around them. Children who appear withdrawn or moody, and/or have issues with focus and/or anxiety may need professional help. Support at these formative stages can be the basis of a child’s mental wellness for life.
The term Child and Adolescent Psychiatry encompasses the full range of mental disorders and disorders of mental development that occur in the child and adolescent age groups. Assessment and diagnosis of mental health disorders in children and adolescents is the primary responsibility of child and adolescent psychiatrists.
Importance of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Children and teenagers manifest emotions in a variety of ways. Some children and teens become emotionally quiet and withdrawn. Others may become emotionally and behaviorally dysregulated. There are even times when parents and caregivers may believe that a child or teen is exhibiting “normal” or “expected” emotional, behavioral and/or social dysregulation when in actuality there may be an undiagnosed mental health concern.
Disorders of emotional and behavioral dysregulation in children and teens are best evaluated by a child and adolescent psychiatrist. Mental health professionals should conduct a thorough evaluation of children and teens to determine the potential mental and behavioral health concerns and develop appropriate treatment interventions.
It is common for parents and caregivers to become concerned and/or confused about emotional, behavioral, social and/or academic challenges that children and teens are experiencing. Mental health and behavioral health professionals are best positioned and trained to assess and address the concerns and alleviate the challenges.
Helping Kids With Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most frequent mental health struggles for children. For some kids, worries are frequent, intense, and overwhelming and often present as physical symptoms (e.g. stomach aches, trouble falling asleep, avoidance of social situations, etc.)
Kids with anxiety may have a hard time articulating their feelings. Often times, their anxiety is manifested as avoidance, whether it be avoidance of social situations or school. Mental Health issues often go undiagnosed and untreated. Because of the stigma surrounding mental illness and lack of awareness, many parents are unaware of the signs. Educating yourself on the signs your child may need mental health support can help your child receive the support they need.
A child and adolescent psychiatrist helps to uncover the root causes of a child’s anxiety. Support is provided based on the needs of the child and may include behavioral changes, coping skills, and family support. Overall, the support is aimed at improving a child’s ability to manage anxiety and other emotions.
Supporting Children with ADHD
Children with ADHD have challenges with hyperactivity, impulsivity, and/or inattention. These children may have trouble with organization and may be mislabeled as lazy or disruptive.
ADHD is a brain condition that is misconceived by the general public. A child psychiatrist can help the family and child understand ADHD by ruling in/out inattention and behavioral challenges. Often, children also have emotional challenges that play a role in ADHD.
Children, especially with ADHD, may experience emotional outbursts and/or have trouble managing and regulating their emotions. ADHD Support may include behavioral changes and coping skills to assist children with self-management and regulating their emotions.
Through evidence-based mental health treatments, children and adolescents can learn the skills they need to gain success in academic, home, and social settings. This goal may be achieved with the assistance of behavioral treatments, professional guidance and training to parents, various psychotherapies, and when necessary, counseling and/or medication.
Depression During Childhood and Adolescence
Depression in children and teenagers is manifested in numerous ways and varies from the signs and symptoms of an adult with depression. Teenagers can appear sad, withdrawn, and uninterested in social activities. In some cases, teenagers can become irritable, and under achieve at school. If these signs and symptoms persist for a long period of time, mental health issues may be present.
Family members and caregivers of children and adolescents may be unable to identify the mental health concerns. Teenagers may stop talking to family members or may “lose” their motivation to do schoolwork. Loss of motivation is not typical behavior of a “teenage phase.”
Behavioral health treatment is designed to assist teenagers in identifying and managing their emotions. Mental health care professionals assist teenagers in improving their behavioral and emotional health.
When teenagers are assessed and treated early for behavioral health concerns, teenagers may regain their enthusiasm and improvement in their overall health and wellness.
Early Mental Health Treatment
Although parents may not recognize the mental health concerns of their child, parents may benefit by seeking the assistance of a mental health care professional to assess and treat the concerns. Rarely are the mental health concerns of a child or adolescent serious; however, untreated concerns may increase and become more serious.
Certain signs signal the need to seek mental health counseling for a child, including changes in mood or personality, persistent sadness, difficulty controlling emotions, problems with paying attention or concentration, withdrawal from friends and family, changes in sleeping and eating patterns, poor school performance, and changes in daily activities. It is important to recognize these signs to help children and provide the professional mental health services their situation may require.
Child and adolescent psychiatry helps children and their families recognize and understand emotional problems and helps health care professionals to develop strategies to address these problems. Children and young people need mental health services that recognize their problems and helps them in a way that supports their individual needs.
The Orange Coast Psychiatry provides services that address anxiety, depression, and other emotional challenges that young people experience. The group is dedicated to serving families and young people by providing mental health evaluations and treatments. The group is committed to helping children, adolescents and their families improve their mental wellness and quality of life. Contact the group to learn more services they offer.