The last year has been challenging, especially for our children and teens.
Many kids and teens are still struggling with anxiety, depression, and other mental and emotional issues due to the pandemic and all the changes that came with it. Here in Fayetteville, TN, our pediatricians Dr. Clifford Seyler and R. Katherine Leake, CPNP, provide the latest behavioral health care to children and teens of all ages. If you’re concerned about changes in your child’s behavior or mood, it’s time to give us a call.
Some of the most common childhood behavioral disorders that we see and treat include:
Oppositional defiant disorder
Children with this behavioral disorder are often angry and moody. They don’t cooperate or listen to parents or other authority figures. They may even become aggressive and hostile. Kids who throw regular temper tantrums, argue, refuse to do what they are told, or are often angry may have ODD, or other mental health disorders that warrant a behavioral health evaluation with our Fayetteville, Manchester, and Tullahoma, TN, teams.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
The three overarching symptoms of childhood ADHD are hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattentiveness. A child does not need to display all three of these symptoms in order to have ADHD. Common signs of ADHD include:
- Fidgeting and unable to sit still or play quietly
- Often disruptive and doesn’t wait their turn
- Making careless mistakes on homework
- Often daydreaming or flighty
- Doesn’t seem like they are paying attention
- Often losing items such as books, their backpack, or homework
- Having lots of energy that they can’t seem to get rid of
Anxiety disorders
While anxiety is a common trait that most kids will experience during a singular event (e.g. presenting to the classroom; an important test), an anxiety disorder occurs when anxiety becomes a common problem that impacts a child’s daily routine and wellbeing. Common types of anxiety disorders include:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
How do you treat a behavioral health disorder in children?
If your child is showing signs of a behavioral disorder our pediatric team offers mental health evaluations and assessments that can identify the specific behavioral problems or disorder your child is dealing with.
The treatment plan your child receives will depend on the type of behavioral disorder they’ve been diagnosed with. Our pediatric team will map out their treatment plan in great detail and go through every step of the treatment process with you, so you understand exactly what to do. Common treatment options include:
- Prescription medications: There are medications that can help kids manage symptoms of ADHD, anxiety, and depression.
- Psychotherapy: Therapy is a common treatment option for kids dealing with various behavioral disorders. They may be prescribed individual or family therapy (or both).
- Education and support: We can also provide parents with information, resources, and the training they need to be able to handle and address their child or teen’s behavior successfully.
A behavioral health consultation may be scheduled in any of our three locations by calling:
Royal Pediatrics located in Fayetteville, TN, (931) 297-4400
Tullahoma Pediatrics located in Tullahoma, TN (931) 455-2674
Manchester Pediatrics located in Manchester, TN (931) 954- 5248