What is child psychiatry?
A child and adolescent psychiatrist specializes in diagnosing and treating behavioral and mental health disorders in children and adolescents. Because children and teens have unique needs when it comes to the evaluation and treatment of mental health conditions, a child and adolescent psychiatrist has specialized medical and psychological training in addressing the mental health needs of that age group.
Which services does a child psychiatrist perform?
The experts at Bowman Medical Group provide a range of child and adolescent psychiatric services, including:
- Psychiatric evaluation
- Psychological testing
- Child and adolescent psychotherapy
- Family therapy
- Medication management
When your child visits Bowman Medical Group, your provider works closely with your family and other healthcare providers such as your child’s pediatrician, teacher, and/or therapists to provide you with information and resources that support your child’s psychiatric care.
Which conditions can child psychiatry address?
Some of the most common behavioral, emotional, and mental health conditions that affect children and teens include:
- Depression
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Eating disorders
Child and adolescent psychiatry and psychology can also help your child through life transitions such as divorce or loss of a loved one.
How can I tell if my child should see a psychiatrist?
If your child struggles with school work, social situations, maintaining friendships, or managing anger and other emotions, an evaluation by a clinician at Bowman Medical Group can aid in determining the cause of your child’s behavior. Different mental health conditions have varying symptoms, but some common signs of mood disorders and other psychiatric concerns include:
- Sadness or hopelessness that lasts more than two weeks
- Avoiding social situations
- Irritability
- Angry outbursts
- Drastic changes in mood or behavior
- Loss or gain of appetite
- Weight loss or weight gain
- Sleep disturbances
- Frequent headaches or stomachaches
- Problems concentrating
- Poor school performance
- Missing school
If your child frequently talks about self-harm or hurting others, schedule an evaluation at Bowman Medical Group right away or contact an emergency care provider for immediate help.
When your child needs mental health care, you want the very best. You can trust the clinical team at Bowman Medical Group for safe, effective, and confidential child and adolescent psychiatry. To schedule an evaluation for your child at Bowman Medical Group, call the office today.
