Your teen’s pediatrician can do more than monitor and treat physical health problems. They are a great resource for mental health. If your teen shows or expresses a need for compassionate counseling, an adolescent medicine physician can help.
Let’s talk about how adolescent medicine can help teens with mental health and where you can go for the treatment of mental health-related concerns in Purchase, NY.
The Statistics Are Important
While many teens are free from persistent and diagnosable mental health problems, almost 50 percent of American adolescents develop some form of a mental/emotional disorder, reports the United States Department of Mental Health. Sadly, many of these kids do not seek evaluation and treatment.
Why don’t teens seek or get treatment? Just like adults, many teens perceive a significant stigma attached to mental health problems. Also, kids may not realize that the feelings they are experiencing can seriously impact their health and well-being in the long term. Finally, teens often do not trust adults enough to talk about serious mental health concerns.
Common Mental Health Disorders Among Teens and Their Symptoms
The most common mental health disorders among young people are attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, depression, and eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa. Sadly, symptoms of these issues can easily be missed by parents, teachers, and even the teens themselves.
So, parents and others in contact with adolescents must be well-informed and alert to the following issues, particularly if they persist:
- Self-harm by way of burning or cutting
- Excessive sleep or insomnia
- Fearfulness, worry, and anxiety
- Binge eating or excessive dieting
- Low energy and fatigue
- Negative change in academic performance
- Little interest in once-enjoyed hobbies
- Isolation from friends and family
- Risky behaviors such as alcohol or drug usage and reckless driving
- Outbursts of crying or anger
- Various physical symptoms, such as headaches, joint pain, and stomach upset
Communication Is Key to Diagnosis and Treatment
Adolescent medicine providers provide a safe, confidential place for teens to express their feelings about school, peers, sexuality, body image, and more. Additionally, they can advise young patients and their families on wise, workable solutions to interpersonal problems at home, school, or the community.
As needed, the adolescent medicine practice can refer families to psychiatrists or psychologists who can accurately diagnose mental health issues and determine a treatment plan to manage symptoms. Teens with mental health problems can lead full and productive lives through a multi-faceted treatment approach which may include:
- Medication
- Cognitive behavior therapy
- Group therapy
- Support groups
- Counseling with the pediatrician or in-school psychologist
Adolescent Mental Health Evaluation and Treatment in Purchase, NY
At BridgeSpan Medicine, adolescent medicine is all we do. We see kids between the ages of 15 and 21 emphasizing preventive care, managing ongoing health issues, and developing warm, nurturing relationships, which help teens communicate openly with the adults in their lives.
If you wish to know more about teen mental health or think your youngster may need an evaluation, please call our office today at (914) 698-5544. If you would like to schedule a consultation with one of our providers, fill out our online appointment request form.
We are here to help teens feel their very best and experience success as they grow into adults.
