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Chronic Illness

by | Jan 19, 2021 | Problems We Address

Chronic Illnesses

 

Chronic illnesses can be incredibly challenging for children and teenagers. Research has noted that suffering from a chronic illness can contribute to a higher risk for certain mental health conditions. Children who suffer from chronic illness are more likely to suffer from depression or anxiety, with this susceptibility lasting through adulthood.

 

Depression can be treated, even while suffering from a chronic illness. Mental health services such as therapy or prescribed medications can contribute to improvement.

 

Mental health services are offered for children from birth through age 24 and their families at all three sites of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center. These services include comprehensive evaluation, an individually tailored treatment plan that may include any combination of individual, family, and group therapy, and, when indicated, medication management from a psychiatrist. All treatment plans require family consent and participation. For more information about our services, please call us at 516-626-1971.

 

Sources:

NIMH: Chronic Illness & Mental Health

Depression

by | Jan 19, 2021 | Problems We Address

Depression

 

Depression, or major depressive disorder, is a medical illness that differs from typical feelings of sadness. Symptoms of depression may include low self-esteem, feeling tired, inability to feel joy, increased irritability or anger, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, frequent crying, withdrawal from friends and family, changes in school performance, sleeping more than usual and loss of interest in usual activities.

 

Older children and teenagers are more likely to be diagnosed with depression than younger children. According to the Pew Research Center, approximately 3.2 million teenagers ages 12 to 17 experienced at least one major depressive episode in 2017. Girls are more likely to have depression, and receive treatment, than boys.

 

If your child or teenager appears to be displaying symptoms of depression, it is crucial to act quickly in seeking treatment. Some children and teenagers struggling with depression may consider suicide. Suicide is among the leading causes of death for Americans ages 10 to 24. Depression can be treated through psychotherapy, medication or a combination of both.

 

Mental health services are offered for children from birth through age 24 and their families at all three sites of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center. These services include comprehensive evaluation, an individually tailored treatment plan that may include any combination of individual, family and group therapy, and, when indicated, medication management from a psychiatrist. All treatment plans require family consent and participation. Additionally, the Latina Girls Project offers bilingual and bicultural mental health counseling as well as outings for adolescent girls suffering from depression. For more information about our services, please call us at 516-626-1971.

 

National Resources:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741

In an emergency, call 911.

 

Related programs:

Latina Girls Project

The Fay J. Lindner Foundation Triage and Emergency Services

The Douglas S. Feldman Suicide Prevention Project

 

Read more in our blog:

Is its Normal Blues or Clinical Depression?

Recognizing Depression in Your Adolescent

Guidance Center Expands Suicide Prevention Efforts

Recognizing the Risks of Suicide

Suicidal Thinking in Young People: Know the Signs

 

Sources:

Mayo Clinic: Teen Depression – Symptoms and Causes

CDC: Anxiety and Depression in Children

Pew Research: Depression is increasing among US teens

Developmental Delays

by | Jan 19, 2021 | Problems We Address

Developmental Delays

 

Developmental delays refer to a group of conditions resulting from an impairment in physical, learning, language or behavioral areas. They begin during the developmental period in childhood, can impact daily functioning, and typically last into adulthood. Most delays are noted when a child fails to reach developmental milestones, such as walking or speaking, around the expected age. Some common developmental disabilities include ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), cerebral palsy, hearing loss and learning disabilities.

 

Between 2009 and 2017, about one in six children ages 3 to 17 years old were diagnosed with a developmental disability. Diagnosis of developmental disabilities has increased from 2011 to 2017. Research has also indicated that children with developmental disorders are at a greater risk of developing mental health conditions. 

 

North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center offers comprehensive diagnostics assessments by highly qualified teams of caring psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and mental health counselors with special expertise in diagnosing and treating children. Our Learning to Learn Center offers specialized screening, diagnosis and tutoring for children suspected of having learning and attention deficit problems and developmental disorders. For more information about our services, please call us at 516-626-1971.

 

Related Programs:

Learning to Learn Center

 

Sources:

CDC: Developmental Disabilities

Eating Disorders

by | Jan 19, 2021 | Problems We Address

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are serious conditions that affect a person’s eating behaviors and related thoughts and emotions. There are many different types of eating disorders, but the most common are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder.

 

Anorexia nervosa symptoms may include extremely restricted eating, emaciation, distorted body image and an intense fear of gaining weight. Bulimia nervosa often consists of frequent and recurring episodes of eating large amounts of food followed by compensatory behaviors such as forced vomiting, use of laxatives or diuretics, fasting or excessive exercise. Symptoms of binge-eating disorder may include eating when you are not hungry, eating quickly, eating alone or in secret, feeling intense guilt about eating and obesity.

 

Eating disorders appear most frequently during adolescence or young adulthood. Rates are higher among females than males. Those with eating disorders are at an increased risk of suicide and medical complications. Eating disorders have the highest rate of mortality of any mental illness. If your child or teenager is suffering from an eating disorder, do not hesitate to seek help.

 

Mental health services are offered for children from birth through age 24 and their families at all three sites of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center. These services include comprehensive evaluation, an individually tailored treatment plan that may include any combination of individual, family and group therapy, and, when indicated, medication management from a psychiatrist. All treatment plans require family consent and participation. For more information about our services, please call us at 516-626-1971.

 

Read more on our blog:

The Obsession with Being Thin

Talking About Weight with your Kids

A Loving Way to Discuss Weight

A Weighty Issue

 

Sources:

NIMH: Eating Disorders

Statistics & Research on Eating Disorders

Mayo Clinic: Eating Disorders

ANAD: Eating Disorder Statistics

Learning Disabilities

by | Jan 19, 2021 | Problems We Address

Learning Disabilities

 

Learning disabilities can contribute to many difficulties for children and teenagers in school. Though learning disabilities and disorders can be difficult to classify, some of the most common disorders include dyslexia (difficulty with reading), dyscalculia (difficulty with math) and dysgraphia (difficulty with writing). Dyslexia is the most common, with over 2 million children in the United States receiving special education services for a reading disorder.

 

Children and teenagers with learning disabilities often need specific accommodations or extra help in school. The Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA) ensures that children with learning disabilities are eligible for special education services or accommodations at school. If your child has a learning disability, contact their school about available accommodations and assistance.

 

North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center offers comprehensive diagnostics assessments by highly qualified teams of caring psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and mental health counselors with special expertise in diagnosing and treating children. Our Learning to Learn Center offers specialized screening, diagnosis, and tutoring for children suspected of having learning and attention deficit problems and developmental disorders. For more information about our services, please call us at 516-626-1971.

 

Related Programs:

Learning to Learn Center

 

Sources:

CDC: Learning Disorders in Children

Learning Problems in Teens