Anxiety
Disorders in Children and Adolescents
Finding
Help for Your Child
Taking your
child to the doctor for a mental health problem is as important as
visiting the doctor for an ear infection or broken arm. But knowing
when and where to seek mental health care can be difficult. Here are
some these tips for parents to make the process easier.
When Is
It Time To Seek Help?
Many physical and emotional signs suggest a possible mental health
problem. Any problem that is personally bothersome warrants evaluation.
Further investigation may be necessary when a child seems out of step
with peers or exhibits changes or problems in any of the following
areas:
|
Eating/appetite |
|
Sleeping |
|
School
work |
|
Activity level |
|
Mood |
|
Relationships
with family or friends |
|
Aggressive
behavior |
|
Return
to behavior typical of a younger child |
|
Developmental
milestones such as speech and language. |
How Do
I Find Treatment?
Parents should consider the following checklist of questions to ask
and issues to consider when deciding on a professional and a type
of treatment.
- Professional's credentials
and training: Consider the training of the professional and
inquire as to his/her experience or expertise with the problem.
If the professional is licensed in your state, make sure the professional
has the appropriate credentials.
- Experience:
Select professionals with experience with children and expertise
with the particular problem of concern.
- Involvement: What role
will you, the parent, have in your child's treatment? Make sure
you are comfortable and understand how parents are involved.
- Type and format of
treatment:
How often will your child need to see a professional? What is the
length of treatment? Parents and children should understand the
scope of the treatment, the procedures used and the frequency and
duration of the sessions.
- Cost, insurance policy:
Know your health insurance coverage for mental health. Ask about
acceptance of insurance when you talk to professionals. It is the
parents' responsibility to know their own financial resources and
any insurance requirements and limitations.
- Location, ease of
accessibility:
Treatment must balance convenience with availability of the professional.
How Do
You Choose the Right Professional?
It is important to feel comfortable with the treating professional.
Having confidence in the person is essential for establishing a positive
working relationship. However, if the parents or child feel uncomfortable
after a few sessions, this should be discussed in order to assess
the source of the problem. Is the difficulty due to embarrassment
about discussing the problem? Is the child resistant due to being
angry with the parents for suggesting treatment? Or is it incompatible
styles between the professional and the client?
What Is
the Parent's Role in Treatment?
The initial session or two is usually used to evaluate the problem.
You may be asked to provide information about family medical history,
home environment, the child's physical and emotional development,
and friendships. You should expect to discuss the assessment and outline
a plan of treatment.
Parents should
be informed about the treatment plan. Elements should include:
- Their role in treatment;
- The preferred method
of communication with the professional;
- A schedule for feedback
and updates;
- Coordination with outside
resources or professionals;
- Strategies for helping
their child participate in treatment; and
- Alternative treatments,
risks and goals.
Successful
therapy requires an investment of time and energy. The therapist may
act as a guide, instructor, and confidante. The parents and child
must also participate and take responsibility for putting the learning
into practice. It is important for everyone involved to monitor change
and progress.
This information
has been adapted from the article "Choosing a Mental Health Professional
for Your Child: Who, What, When, Where, Why, How" by Robin F.
Goodman, Ph.D., from the New York University Child Study Center. The
article can be read online at www.AboutOurKids.org.
Anxiety Disorders
Association of America
8730 Georgia Avenue, Suite 600
Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
Main # (240) 485-1001
Fax # (240) 485-1035
© 2003 Anxiety Disorders Association of America.
All Rights Reserved.
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