Pediatric Psychiatry

Pediatric psychiatry helps children and adolescents with a variety of conditions that affect their mental health.

What is pediatric psychiatry?

Pediatric psychiatry focuses on the medical diagnosis and treatment of children affected by mood, anxiety, behavior, thinking, learning and developmental disorders.

Patients who have experienced trauma or substance abuse problems in addition to mental health conditions are treated for these issues as well.

Mental health conditions seen in children

• Anxiety

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

• Autism

• Behavior disorders

• Bipolar disorder

• Depression

• Eating disorders

• Oppositional/defiant disorder

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Pervasive developmental disorders (PDD)

• Psychological complications from chronic or serious illness

• Psychotic disorders including schizophrenia

• Substance abuse and mental illness

Speak with your family’s primary care provider if you believe your child could benefit from mental health services.

Pediatric psychiatry treatments

Children and teenagers will undergo a mental health evaluation to get psychiatric care. Doctors will evaluate symptoms and consult with families or teachers to help make a diagnosis.

Behavioral therapy can often help children. Other treatment options they can receive are:

• Therapy and counseling (individual, family and groups

• Adolescent dialect behavior therapy (DBT) to help with managing feelings and staying out of crisis

• Educational services

• Medications

• Speech therapy