Mental health issues don’t just happen to adults. Children can suffer from mental health conditions too. Your pediatrician can help. The pediatricians at Payne and Holloway Pediatrics in Montgomery, AL, offer comprehensive children’s medical services, including mental health screening and treatment.

What You Need to Know About Mental Health Screenings for Children

Children often don’t have the coping skills they need to get through a mental health crisis. Children are susceptible to traumatic life events, including:

• Divorce or marriage
• Losing friends
• Moving to a new school
• Dealing with a serious medical problem
• Death of a close family member or pet

Mental health screenings from your pediatrician can help assess how your child is doing. Several types of screenings can aid in the diagnosis of anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.

Mental health issues can produce a few noticeable signs. Your child may be suffering from a mental health issue if your child is:

• Anxious about going to school
• Frequently feeling sad
• Disinterested in favorite activities
• Demonstrating harmful or destructive behaviors
• Experiencing problems eating or sleeping

If you notice any of the signs listed above, you should schedule a mental health screening with the pediatrician. The mental health screening includes:

• Completing an initial assessment and checklist of symptoms
• A specific screening for anxiety disorder
• A specific screening for depression

When the mental health screening is performed within a routine pediatric visit, mental health issues may be more comfortable to discuss. Additional screenings may be recommended to identify delayed learning, ADHD, or autism.

When a mental health issue is identified, treatment can begin. Common treatments for mental health issues include:

• Counseling with the child
• Counseling with the child and parent
• Medication therapy to regulate mood, enhance focus, and help with other issues

Want To Know More About Mental Health Screenings for Children?

To learn more about mental health services for children, and how they can help your child, call the pediatricians of Payne and Holloway Pediatrics in Montgomery, AL. You can reach them in the office by calling (334) 244-7209, so call today.