Sleep and Hydroxyzine in the Pediatric Population
Insomnia is a common issue in children and adolescents in primary care settings. Given the difficulties associated with poor sleep, parents often ask providers for rapid solutions. As a result, one of the most prescribed medications is the antihistamine hydroxyzine. Yet randomized control data in children is lacking. There is no clinical efficacy, safety, or […]
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Children and Adolescents
PTSD events It is estimated that one in four children will suffer a traumatic event before adulthood. This includes exposure to death, injury, violence, emotional/physical/sexual abuse, natural disasters, divorce, or separation from parents or caregivers. The occurrence(s) can be directly experienced, a witnessed event, news that a traumatic event happened to a significant other, […]
The Impact of Covid 19 on Mental Health and Wellness in Children and Adolesce...
Earlier this month, we addressed the importance of primary care providers supporting the mental health of youth and families. As more adults, children, and adolescents become vaccinated, minimizing the exposure to the COVID-19 virus is within reach. However, the pandemic’s impact on pediatric mental health will likely last for months and even years for vulnerable […]
Supporting Mental Health and Wellness in Children and Adolescents
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) created the You Are Not Alone campaign for Mental Health Awareness Month in May to promote the importance of recognizing and talking about mental health. This month, we want to remind you that you are not alone in tackling the complexities associated with caring for patients experiencing mental health issues. […]
The Impact of Racism on Pediatric Mental Health
Headlines in the news… and images on social media are filled with the racial violence that continues to plague our country. Children and adolescents are impacted by exposure to this violence, both through witnessing the stories, but also from their own experiences with racism in their communities. Exposure to news coverage and social media may […]
Screening for Autism in Children
April is designated as Autism Acceptance month to raise awareness and promote education about screening, intervention, and advocacy. The Autism Society is encouraging a shift away from awareness and promoting acceptance to help foster change in the way autism is perceived. According to the Centers for Disease Control, rates of autism in the United States […]
Screening for perinatal depression is now more important than ever
Perinatal depression is one of the most common complications associated with pregnancy and childbirth making it twice as common as Gestational Diabetes (CDC, 2018). Not surprisingly, a new Canadian study suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has exponentially increased anxiety and depression rates in prenatal women. The study indicates that the higher rates are associated with […]
Early Detection of Pediatric Mental Health Concerns
Primary care providers are often the first line of treatment for children and adolescents experiencing mental health symptoms. The longitudinal care associated with pediatrics and family medicine allows for providers to develop trusting relationships with their patients and families. These relationships offer providers an opportunity to intervene with patients and […]
Helping Children with Fear of Needles and Immunizations
A fear of needles and injections are common among young people and can be a contributing factor to noncompliance with vaccine recommendations. One study found that 63% of children ages 6-17 reported a fear of needles and a second study noted that 40% of children ages 4-16 with Type I Diabetes feared needles. This fear emerges […]
Fears, Phobias and Anxiety in Children and Adolescents
Fear is a natural part of childhood, and often is appropriate to the situation and the developmental stage of the child. Fear is frequently associated with an emotional response influenced by multiple factors including inherited genetic traits that influence how a child’s brain interprets and manages anxiety. Children also adopt learned behaviors from caring adults. […]
