How to help your child when they are in mental health distress When you know your child well, sudden mood and behavior changes can be worrisome. Are they just acting out, or are they suffering from mental health distress? In general, find help for your child if: ● The behavior persists for a few weeks or longer. ● It causes severe distress for your child or family. ● The changes interfere with how your child interacts at school, at home or with friends. What to look for While symptoms vary by age, your child may need more mental health support if they: ● Show severe anxiety or worry. ● Lose interest in friends, have difficulty making friends or withdraw from social interaction. ● Sleep too little or too much, have nightmares, or seem sleepy during the day. ● Struggle in school, have recently declining grades or have behavioral issues. What to do Most important, seek immediate help if your child’s behavior is unsafe or they say they want to hurt themselves or someone else. Call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Trained counselors can provide immediate emergency response or refer you to local resources. Tell your child’s pediatrician about your concerns. Your child can be referred to mental health professionals who specialize in treating children and teens. Sources: American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; American Academy of Pediatricians; National Institute of Mental Health Is it ADHD? When is it more than acting out? Have you ever wondered if your child’s high energy and short attention span are just part of their personality? In many cases, they are. But they can also point to attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). How can you tell the difference between typical childhood behavior and signs of ADHD? Here’s what you need to know. ADHD is a condition that affects focus, self-control and activity level. Some kids can exhibit mostly inattentive behaviors, while others show mostly hyperactive/impulsive behaviors. Many kids with ADHD have a combination of both types of behavior. Of course, all kids do these things sometimes. But if these behaviors frequently get in the way at school and at home, it’s worth finding out if it’s ADHD. Diagnosing ADHD ADHD can be diagnosed at any age, and it’s a lifelong condition, but signs often become more noticeable when children start school. A proper diagnosis takes time and input from multiple sources. Your child’s provider will ask both you and your child’s teachers to fill out questionnaires about their behavior. The provider will also look for patterns that persist over time and show up in more than one setting, such as at school and at home. Before diagnosing ADHD, your child’s provider will need to rule out other conditions too. For example, instead of ADHD, a child might be dealing with anxiety, dyslexia or even obsessive-compulsive disorder. Managing ADHD Many kids with ADHD thrive once they get the support they need. Treatment often includes several strategies. Cognitive behavioral therapy can make a big difference in daily routines. Medication can help with focus and self-control. And at school, accommodations—like extra time on tests or more frequent breaks—can help. If you notice any signs of ADHD, make an appointment with your child’s healthcare provider. For a full list of contracted providers, visit www.kerncountyhealthbenefits.com or call the Member Services phone number on the back of your ID card. Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Child Mind Institute; HelpGuide; National Institute of Mental Health
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