Kids and Teens

Anxiety in Youth

While anxiety is a normal and natural part of growing up we now know that anxiety disorders affect one out of every eight children. Research has consistently shown that if left untreated, children with anxiety disorders are at risk of having increased somatic complaints, difficulties with their academic performance, difficulty forming and maintaining peer relationships, as well as a higher risk of engaging in substance abuse behaviors.  The good news is that with treatment and your support, your child can learn how to successfully manage the symptoms of an anxiety disorder and live a normal childhood.

Family Conflict

The process of negotiating adulthood is often a daunting one.  It is fairly common for parents get locked in what seems like a perpetual conflict with their teenage children.  Sometimes it seems as if these conflicts escalate to the point where parents even disagree with each other about how to handle the situation.  Finding new ways for parents and teens to discuss and communicate their needs and wants can be quite helpful.

ADHD

A positive effect of this disorder receiving an inordinate amount of attention in the late 1980s and early 1990s has been that information about providing a child with an academic environment conducive to learning is readily available.  However we now know that a child’s friendships are a significant indicator of academic success. Fostering healthy friendships can prove to be a daunting but crucial task for the parent of a child effected by ADHD.  In addition to ensuring that a child affected by ADHD has healthy friendships there are a number of behavioral interventions that can be utilized for families who want to supplement or try to avoid the use of medications.

Behavioral Problems

Any number of isolated behavior problems can represent adolescent problems.  For example shoplifting, truancy, a fight in school, drug or alcohol use are just a few of the many challenges adolescents may face. Sometimes adolescents can’t easily explain why they act the way they do. They may be just as confused about it as the adults that love them.  Sometimes they may even see delinquent behaviors as appropriate way to deal with the very real problems they may face.
Parents and loved ones may feel scared, angry, frustrated, or hopeless. They may feel guilty and wonder where they went wrong. All these feelings are normal, but it is important to understand that there is help available to troubled kids and their families.

Encopresis

The behaviors of young children effected by this disorder are can be quite frightening and sometimes even a little disgusting to their parents.  However, treatment can be relatively easy and often results in a much more rewarding relationship and a deeper understanding between parents and their children.

Socialization Challenges