PARENTAL GUIDANCE

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One of the most difficult aspects of parenting a child who is struggling is simply not knowing what you don't know. So many parents feel helpless because there is no roadmap to navigating these situations, which is why seeking professional help can be a benefit to not only your child, but to you as the parent.

 

We have worked with parents in many different situations and seen them through to many different workable solutions. Our expertise and experience can help you when you need it most. 

 

NAVIGATING THE SCHOOL PROCESS

 

Similarly, knowing the ins and outs of your child's educational system--what is acceptable and not and what educational benefits you can take advantage on based on your needs--is often difficult to determine on your own.

 

Whether your child is struggling with anxiety, a learning disability, or another issue entirely we can help you understand if you should be taking advantage of different individualized learning plans or specialized circumstances, as well as who to speak with at your school based on your needs. 

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DEPRESSION & ANXIETY RELATED DISORDERS

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Today more than ever it seems like children are struggling with issues related to depression and anxiety. Sometimes these are situational, and sometimes they are connected to something much larger.

 

Generally if your children have the following symptoms for more than a couple weeks, you'll want to consult with a professional like Child Mental Health Solutions: 

- Angry, irritable or depressed mood

- Loss of energy or self-esteem

- Difficulty eating or sleeping, or changes in any of these habits

- Mood swings or feeling worthless or restless

- Difficulty concentrating, refusing to go to school or spend time with friends

- Thoughts of death or suicide

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ADHD & ASSOCIATED CO-MORBIDITIES

 

ADHD and other learning disorders are often mis-diagnosed and even over-diagnosed, which is why its so important to seek professional help when you suspect your child of having a learning disability.

 

Often times ADHD is diagnosed by hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity, but these attributes can also be associated with other disorders like those listed below. 

- Learning Disorders

- ADD

- OCD

- Anxiety

- Oppositional Defiant Disorder

 

Make sure you address any symptoms with a professional. Child Mental Health Solutions understands the complexities and often missed intricacies of these different disorders.

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MOOD DISORDERS AND EMOTIONAL DYSREGULATION

 

These cover a wide-range of disorders that can present in many different ways. The best way to understand what specific mood disorders your child might be struggling with, is to take an approach that is comprehensive and holistic, so you can ensure you are considering all the possibilities and ruling things out based on educated reasoning.

 

Mood disorders include, but are not limited to, the following:

-Major depressive disorder

-Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)

-Bipolar disorder

-Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder

-Premenstrual dysmorphic disorder

-Mood disorder due to a general medical condition

-Substance induced mood disorder

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If your child is showing any of the symptoms listed above associated with depression and anxiety, they could also potentially be dealing with a mood disorder. We're happy to walk you through the potential for any of these symptoms if you schedule a consultation with our clinical team. 

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POST-TRUAMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD):

 

Children and teens are prone to post-traumatic stress disorder when they have been the victim of abuse, or experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as a school shooting, natural disaster, loss of a loved one, violence in their environment, or something that caused them or someone else to be severely harmed.

 

According to the National Center for PTSD, about 15% to 34% of girls and 14% to 43% of boys experience at least one trauma as children, and of those, 3%-15% of girls and 1% to 6% of boys develop PTSD. These ranges are attributed to the type of trauma experienced, which can greatly impact the outcome of whether or not they develop PTSD.

 

In any traumatic situation it's best to proactively seek help for children, rather than wait for them to ask for help or develop signs or symptoms of PTSD. Entirely too often, children do not ask for help either because they don't know how to ask, aren't aware of, or able to process what they are dealing with, or because they don't want to be a burden on their families. It's crucial to seek a professional opinion.

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