Child and Adolescent Mental Health

There is no clear difference between mental and psychiatric disorders between adults and children and adolescents. Limitations in a child’s or adolescent’s communication skills, mental capabilities, life experiences and emotional sensitivity, however, require special expertise and training in the field of child and adolescent mental health.

Children and adolescents with a serious emotional and behavioral problem need a comprehensive evaluation by a psychiatrist. In conducting this evaluation, the psychiatrist, with the parent’s permission, may contact the child’s physician, school personnel, or other relatives. This evaluation may require one or more office visits for the child, family, and other significant people. Psychological testing may also be ordered.

Mental and psychiatric disorders of children include:

• learning disorders
• co-ordination disorders
• communication disorders
• attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder
• conduct disorders and oppositional defiant disorders
• feeding and eating disorders
• tic disorders
• bowel and bladder elimination disorders
• anxiety and bipolar disorders
• mental retardation
• autistic disorder

Treatment may include play counseling, family and school counseling, and medications. Cooperation and participation from family and teachers is also a part of the treatment process.

For further information on our child and adolescent treatment program , please call us at (850) 683-8040.