The CDC defines mental disorders in children as changes in behavior, learning, and emotions causing distress. As with most illnesses, psychiatric conditions require early treatment to prevent complications. An appropriate Irvine child mental health approach can minimize the risk of social and developmental problems in the future. Read on to explore treatment options for your child.
Treatment options for children with mental disorders
Psychiatrists recognize every child is different and has symptoms unique to their mental conditions. Treatment options may include:
Psychotherapy or counseling
Offers children the opportunity to share their frustrations regarding stressful life changes. The process enables children to explore confusing emotions at the earliest stages of their lives.
Counseling and psychotherapy not only relieve symptoms such as stress, but it also empowers children to manage their lives better. The approach can address anxiety, stress due to divorce and low self-esteem
For optimal treatment outcomes, the approach should include:
Skills development: Psychotherapists equip children with skills to navigate stressful situations such as divorce or death. Children can learn to communicate effectively with peers and family members. These skills are crucial when parents and family members are too involved in similar situations to address their concerns.
Parental involvement during the sessions: Parental involvement is a crucial aspect of counseling. It helps parents empathize and understand their young ones going through turbulent times. Parents learn the best approach to address their child’s mental health problems.
Monitoring the child’s progress: The counseling approach must track the patient’s progress to determine whether there are improvements after treatment. Your child’s psychiatrist may design assignments for the young patient to complete at home. The evaluation may also include academic and extra-curricular performance in school.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation utilizes magnetic pulses to address mental health problems. The process employs a device on your scalp to induce magnetic pulses in target areas. It is FDA-approved for treating depression in patients of all ages.
A TMS session usually takes 20 minutes to half an hour. The pulses continue to produce their beneficial effect even after the procedure. Unlike other methods that utilize magnetic pulses, there is a minimal risk of side effects and virtually no downtime.
TMS can treat several conditions in children, such as:
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Schizophrenia
- PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
- Traumatic brain injury
Prescription medication
Your child’s psychiatrist may use medication to address mental health conditions in children. Prescription drugs approved for children can manage symptoms of ADHD, depression, and mood disorders.
Medication is sometimes necessary when there is a high risk of complications if the disorder remains untreated. Your healthcare provider may use a combination of strategies, such as TMS and psychotherapy.
Prescribing medication to children with mental disorders requires specialized expertise. A thorough evaluation is critical to anticipate potential side effects.
Additionally, some symptoms could be transient or indicate a problem in the child’s environment. For example, behavior change in school suggests the problem is due to social-psychological factors. In such situations, medication alone may not conclusively address mental distress.
To schedule a consultation for your child, call Americas TMS Center or use the online booking tool today.
