Adjusting to life during the pandemic is not easy for anyone, but for many children and teenagers, COVID-19 has had a major impact on their physical, mental and emotional health. increase. At the Austin Regional Clinic, pediatricians work to ensure that adolescents’ strong mental health receives treatment as important as their physical health.
Natasha B. Ahmed, M.D., Ph.D., a pediatrician at the Austin Regional Clinic Sendero Springs in Round Rock, says she’s always had a special interest in adolescent care, where mental health and behavioral disorders affect children and teens. He said that he naturally became interested in how it affects
“No matter how smart you are, [children and teenagers] They just don’t have the emotional bandwidth to describe a lot of what they’re feeling,” Dr. Ahmed said. It’s going to be really hard for them to even do that.”
Identifying mental health issues in adolescents can be complicated, but knowing the signs to look out for can help parents know when problems are occurring. According to Dr. Ahmed, one of the telltale signs is that he’s been sleeping too much or too little, feeling guilty about little things, and being hesitant to do activities he used to enjoy. said it was a drastic change.
Mood disorders can also manifest as physical symptoms that are otherwise unexplained. Anxiety and depression can manifest in many ways, including stomach pains, heart palpitations, headaches, and constant fatigue.
“A significant number of teens and young girls suffer from stomach pains. If you look further, you’ll find that your stomach starts to hurt whenever you’re stressed,” Dr. Ahmed said. “It is very common for children to have physical symptoms with an underlying psychological component.”
Social isolation and processing difficulties have also been catalysts for declining mental health during the pandemic. We are forced to learn how to cope.
“Several colleagues and I have seen patients who have lost a parent to COVID. I asked,” Dr. Ahmed said. “It’s an intense and complicated thought for anyone, but what children of this age go through is very overwhelming.”
The pandemic has forced minors into virtual schooling, making it difficult for some students with ADHD and ADD to self-adjust at home, Dr. Ahmed said. In addition to anxiety and depression, she has seen a flood of new ADHD and ADD diagnoses. After that, returning to face-to-face classes proved to be a challenge for many people who struggled with anxiety.
“It’s very difficult for them to go back to face-to-face school. They just don’t know how to interact face-to-face anymore,” said Dr. Ahmed.
The biggest overlap and simplest identifier of ADHD, ADD, anxiety and depression tends to be difficulty concentrating. The time has come to ask.
“Mental health has always been under-addressed and under-funded, and the COVID-19 pandemic has made it worse. Truth supports the rapidly expanding need for mental health care. It means that the community does not have the resources to treat mental health problems,” Dr. Ahmed said. is useful for.”
As recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, routine pediatric visits at ARC for children aged 12 years and older include screening for anxiety and depression. Patients can answer questions about their emotions and habits to help doctors identify potential problems and direct therapists if necessary, and can discuss medications if treatment is already underway.
“If you look at that survey and see that it’s going high, that’s a sign that they should talk more about how they answered the question, and if necessary, schedule another visit and We’ll talk about that in more detail,’ said Dr. Ahmed.. ‘That’s why it’s so important not to skip these well-checked visits.’
Children can always discuss mental health issues privately with their pediatrician. In many cases, they may disclose information about their emotional state, so you should encourage them to take time alone with their doctor if necessary.
In addition to screening, ARC has a pediatrician in each area who can provide more advanced care through medication administration, including diagnosis and treatment of ADHD, anxiety and depression.
Regular mental checks are important in understanding the child’s overall health, but Dr. Ahmed said that parents do not justify and judge their children at home if they show signs of concern behavior. He said that having an attitude can help.
“I want to emphasize how parents initiate conversations with their children because I think that’s probably what parents struggle with the most,” Dr. Ahmed said. “I noticed a little less talking, playing and eating. Are you okay? Are you worried about anything? I promise I won’t get mad at you, but if you want to talk, I’m here. Support. Children who feel they have a supportive family and support system do much better.”
Austin Regional Clinics, with 23 locations in Austin and Central Texas, help pediatricians determine the type of support your child needs and direct them to the right resources.
To learn more about Child Mental Health Services at Austin Regional Clinics, read reviews from your local pediatrician and book a wellness check at https://www.austinregionalclinic.com/.
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