Many adults are reluctant to see a mental health professional when they are having problems. Likewise, it can be difficult for parents to make the decision to send their child to a psychologist or psychiatrist. However, if your son or daughter is showing signs of emotional disturbances or behavioral issues, then you may need to seek professional help for them. Here are some signs that could indicate your child needs to get help from a psychiatrist.
Does Your Child Need a Psychiatrist?
If you are interested in sending your child to a mental health professional, you have the option of making an appointment with a licensed clinical social worker, a psychologist, or a psychiatrist. A child psychiatrist is a medical doctor who completed both medical school and a residency in general and child psychiatry. They can prescribe any necessary medications and conduct psychotherapy or group therapy sessions.
Along with the ability to prescribe medications, a child psychiatrist can conduct diagnostic tests, order laboratory tests, and hospitalize their patients if it becomes necessary. A few indications your child may need to seek help from a psychiatrist include:
· Excessive anxiety or fear
· Consistent night terrors or nightmares
· Talk of suicide
· Sudden outbursts of aggressive behavior
· Problems with alcohol or drug use
· Showing signs of depression
These are just a few of the reasons you may need to seek psychiatric help for your child. If you suspect a psychological disorder, then you need to get help for your child or adolescent as soon as possible.
How Can a Psychiatrist Help?
Psychiatry involves using both psychotherapy and medical diagnosis to determine why your child may be having problems. If you notice a significant change in their mood, behavior or attitude, it could indicate some type of psychological distress. However, a chemical imbalance could also be the culprit, and a child psychiatrist can order the necessary tests to help find the problem and correct it.
While there may be some cases in which your child needs to be hospitalized, most of the time a psychiatrist will be able to help him or her by conducting psychotherapy sessions and/or prescribing psychotropic medications. Some of the medications, such as antidepressants or antianxiety medications, may cause a few side effects when your child first begins using them. However, they will usually diminish with time and the medication will ultimately help your child feel better and more emotionally stable.
A child psychiatrist can help your son or daughter lead a better life, teach them to recognize triggers for their anxiety, anger, or depression, and teach them to cope with their feelings. The use of psychotropic drugs will often be temporary, but they should be taken as directed to help with psychological issues. Psychiatry can help your child throughout the emotionally challenging points of their life.
