Mental Illness
Mental health problems affect one in every five children and adolescents at any given time, and an estimated two-thirds of all young people with mental health problems are not getting the help they need. Estimates of the number of children who have mental disorders range from 7.7 million to 12.8 million.
If a child is having an emotional or behavioral problem, it is important to intervene as quickly as possible; often, a good therapist can recognize a problem and treat it effectively. Child and family psychologists are specifically trained to work with young children and teenagers. A child’s pediatrician should first examine the child if there is a suspicion of depression or other emotional problems, because a doctor should rule out medical problems as a possible cause of symptoms.
Preschoolers could benefit from seeing a therapist if there is a significant delay in achieving developmental milestones (walking, language, and toilet training). Emotional difficulty in older children may well appear as problems at school, because behavior that may be tolerated at home may be recognized as inappropriate in a school setting. Although “normal” behavior varies depending on a child’s age and maturity level, some of the signs that your child may be experiencing stress include:
• developmental delays
• behavioral problems (anger, acting out, or eating disorders)
• significant drop in grades, especially in a child formerly doing well
• prolonged or inappropriate sadness or depression
• social withdrawal or isolation
• decreased interest in previously enjoyed activities
• overly aggressive behavior
• appetite changes (particularly in adolescents)
• insomnia or fatigue
• school absenteeism or tardiness
• mood swings
• excessive physical complaints (especially headaches or stomachaches)
Finding a Therapist
Child psychologists, social workers, and child psychiatrists all diagnose and treat mental health disorders in youngsters. It is important to find a well-qualified, experienced therapist with whom your child can relate well, who seems friendly, warm, and approachable. Because the right therapist-client match is so important, it may require visits to several counselors before a final choice is made. A therapist who works with children should have a license and a professional degree in psychology, social work, or psychiatry.
A psychiatrist (M.D. or D.O.) is a medical doctor with advanced training and experience in mental illness and pharmacology. They are the only mental health providers who can prescribe medications. Clinical psychologists (Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D.) are therapists with a doctorate that includes advanced training in the practice of psychology and psychotherapy. Many specialize in treating children and adolescents and their families. A clinical social worker (L.C.S.W., A.C.S.W., L.I.C.S.W., or C.S.W.) has a master’s degree and specializes in clinical social work; an L.C.S.W. (licensed clinical social worker) is licensed by the state (accredited clinical social workers— A.C.S.W.—may also be accredited to work in more than one state). An L.I.C.S.W. is a licensed clinical social worker, which is a similar accreditation to the A.C.S.W., which means that these social workers can work in any state. A C.S.W. is a clinical social worker who is not yet licensed to practice.
Types of Therapy
There are many types of psychotherapy that may be most appropriate for a particular problem and a particular child and family. Therapists will often spend a portion of each session with the parents alone, with the child alone, and with the family together. Strategies include:
Individual therapy With this type of therapy, a therapist works one-on-one with a child on problems such as depression, social difficulties, or worry.
Family therapy With this technique, counseling sessions are scheduled with some or all family members as a way of improving communication skills. Family therapy can be helpful in many cases, especially if family members are having problems getting along. Treatment focuses on problem-solving techniques and can help parents reestablish their roles as authority figures.
Cognitive behavioral therapy This type of approach is often helpful with children over age 12 who are depressed, anxious, or having problems coping with stress. Cognitive behavioral therapy attempts to identify and alter maladaptive ways of thinking, restructuring negative thoughts into more positive ways of thinking.
Stress management If stress seems to trigger or worsen your child’s condition, this type of therapy may help him learn ways to recognize stress and how to deal with it. Stress management may include relaxation training, a method that teaches children how to relax so they can better cope with stress. With this approach, children are encouraged to take responsibility for their own care, which can make them feel more in control of their situation.
Preparing a Child for Counseling
Parents should be honest with their child about a therapy session and why she or the family will be going, emphasizing that this type of doctor talks with children and families to help solve problems. Young children may need to be reassured that a visit to a therapist does not involve shots or physicals. Older children may need to be reassured that anything they say to the therapist is confidential and cannot be shared with anyone, including parents, without their permission (unless they indicate that are considering suicide or hurting someone).
If a child is having an emotional or behavioral problem, it is important to intervene as quickly as possible; often, a good therapist can recognize a problem and treat it effectively. Child and family psychologists are specifically trained to work with young children and teenagers. A child’s pediatrician should first examine the child if there is a suspicion of depression or other emotional problems, because a doctor should rule out medical problems as a possible cause of symptoms.
Preschoolers could benefit from seeing a therapist if there is a significant delay in achieving developmental milestones (walking, language, and toilet training). Emotional difficulty in older children may well appear as problems at school, because behavior that may be tolerated at home may be recognized as inappropriate in a school setting. Although “normal” behavior varies depending on a child’s age and maturity level, some of the signs that your child may be experiencing stress include:
• developmental delays
• behavioral problems (anger, acting out, or eating disorders)
• significant drop in grades, especially in a child formerly doing well
• prolonged or inappropriate sadness or depression
• social withdrawal or isolation
• decreased interest in previously enjoyed activities
• overly aggressive behavior
• appetite changes (particularly in adolescents)
• insomnia or fatigue
• school absenteeism or tardiness
• mood swings
• excessive physical complaints (especially headaches or stomachaches)
Finding a Therapist
Child psychologists, social workers, and child psychiatrists all diagnose and treat mental health disorders in youngsters. It is important to find a well-qualified, experienced therapist with whom your child can relate well, who seems friendly, warm, and approachable. Because the right therapist-client match is so important, it may require visits to several counselors before a final choice is made. A therapist who works with children should have a license and a professional degree in psychology, social work, or psychiatry.
A psychiatrist (M.D. or D.O.) is a medical doctor with advanced training and experience in mental illness and pharmacology. They are the only mental health providers who can prescribe medications. Clinical psychologists (Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D.) are therapists with a doctorate that includes advanced training in the practice of psychology and psychotherapy. Many specialize in treating children and adolescents and their families. A clinical social worker (L.C.S.W., A.C.S.W., L.I.C.S.W., or C.S.W.) has a master’s degree and specializes in clinical social work; an L.C.S.W. (licensed clinical social worker) is licensed by the state (accredited clinical social workers— A.C.S.W.—may also be accredited to work in more than one state). An L.I.C.S.W. is a licensed clinical social worker, which is a similar accreditation to the A.C.S.W., which means that these social workers can work in any state. A C.S.W. is a clinical social worker who is not yet licensed to practice.
Types of Therapy
There are many types of psychotherapy that may be most appropriate for a particular problem and a particular child and family. Therapists will often spend a portion of each session with the parents alone, with the child alone, and with the family together. Strategies include:
Individual therapy With this type of therapy, a therapist works one-on-one with a child on problems such as depression, social difficulties, or worry.
Family therapy With this technique, counseling sessions are scheduled with some or all family members as a way of improving communication skills. Family therapy can be helpful in many cases, especially if family members are having problems getting along. Treatment focuses on problem-solving techniques and can help parents reestablish their roles as authority figures.
Cognitive behavioral therapy This type of approach is often helpful with children over age 12 who are depressed, anxious, or having problems coping with stress. Cognitive behavioral therapy attempts to identify and alter maladaptive ways of thinking, restructuring negative thoughts into more positive ways of thinking.
Stress management If stress seems to trigger or worsen your child’s condition, this type of therapy may help him learn ways to recognize stress and how to deal with it. Stress management may include relaxation training, a method that teaches children how to relax so they can better cope with stress. With this approach, children are encouraged to take responsibility for their own care, which can make them feel more in control of their situation.
Preparing a Child for Counseling
Parents should be honest with their child about a therapy session and why she or the family will be going, emphasizing that this type of doctor talks with children and families to help solve problems. Young children may need to be reassured that a visit to a therapist does not involve shots or physicals. Older children may need to be reassured that anything they say to the therapist is confidential and cannot be shared with anyone, including parents, without their permission (unless they indicate that are considering suicide or hurting someone).
Tags: emotional or behavioral problem, Mental health problems, mental illness, Pediatrician, psychologists
Posted in Health and Wellness
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