PSYCHIATRIC HELP FOR CHILDREN
Why do you need psychiatric help for children? Growing up as a child and adolescent can often present a myriad of issues, such as dealing with the emotional and hormonal changes as one churns towards adulthood. We all understand the nature of childhood and the challenges that most of us have faced; while everyone experiences it differently, it is safe to say that we can all agree that it can be challenging at times.
So how do we recognize when our child or adolescent is struggling with a mental health issue, versus a “standard” type of behavior? There are often multiple warning signs that accompany an acute psychiatric issue. These types of behaviors will generally be noticeably more significant to family members.
For example, you will generally notice that the child or adolescent may display:
- Very psychotic or bizarre behavior patterns that are completely outside of their normal behavior.
- Serious depression or anxiety that lasts for two weeks or longer.
- They display a serious and significant risk of suicide or self-harm, and perhaps have already engaged in some displays of self-harm.
- Assaultive behavior towards family members or close friends.
- Reacting explosively and with anger to many different situations or stimuli.
- A decrease in their ability to tend to daily activities.
Noticing one of these symptoms or several of them exhibited in your child or adolescent’s behavior may be alarming at first; it is difficult to experience as a parent but being able to maintain awareness and reach out to your child when you notice that there is something significant occurring could be the best thing you could possibly do for them. While there may be several rare circumstances when there is actually nothing relating to acute psychiatric issues, and it may have just been a momentary outlying behavior, the reality is that nearly everyone would be experience some type of acute psychiatric problem with these particular symptoms.
When faced with these issues, it can be overwhelming for the child and parents alike. What exactly are the options available when faced with a situation such as this? Acute psychiatric issues need to be addressed and treated as quickly as possible, and the earlier that the symptoms are identified and treated, the easier it is to get a child or adolescent the help that is needed.
Carolina Dunes Behavioral Health has structured itself to help address this very issue: as we receive patients, and specifically children and adolescents facing these psychiatric illnesses, we focus on providing a well-rounded and therapeutic environment.
We strongly encourage and promote the co-operation of working together with parents, children, families and our specialized staff in a team-based approach. We strongly believe that families play a very critical role in the well-being and success of children, and their participation is an integral part of the program that we offer for acute psychiatric issues.
So what exactly can our facility provide for adolescents and children that are significantly suffering from these issues?
Not only are we able to provide the best care possible based on our structured environment, but we also provide:
- Needed stabilization for the patient
- A full medical and psychological evaluation
- Family, group and individual therapy, encompassing all aspects
- Medication management
- Recreational therapy
- Schooling right on site with North Carolina state-certified instructors so that the child or adolescent will not fall behind in their studies at school
- Coordination of the treatment and aftercare plans for when the patient finally leaves our facility
From the beginning to the end of the process, Carolina Dunes Behavioral Health has the ability to help deal with these significant acute psychiatric issues in children and adolescents. For more information, and for a completely free and confidential assessment, please contact us directly at 855-537-2262. We are available to take your call 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
