Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
As a parent, it can be heart-wrenching to see your child struggle with mental health challenges that affect their quality of life and potential. At Inside Out in Princeton, New Jersey, Dr. Zeshan is dedicated to providing compassionate and personalized psychiatry services for children and teenagers. He works to help your child overcome mental health issues and develop the skills they need to thrive. If you have concerns about your child’s mental health, please call Inside Out or schedule an appointment online today. Telemedicine appointments are also available for your convenience. We’re here to support your family every step of the way.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Q + A
What is Child and Adolescent Psychiatry?
Child and adolescent psychiatry focuses on the mental health needs of young people and their families. While mental health disorders are more likely to emerge in early adulthood, children and teenagers are vulnerable to many conditions. Dr. Zeshan provides customized psychiatric care to help young patients thrive.
What are common mental health disorders in children and adolescents?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 9.7% of children aged 2-17 have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), 7.1% have an anxiety disorder, and 3.2% have depression. Other potential childhood mental and behavioral health conditions include autism spectrum disorder, eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
ADHD
ADHD causes a variety of mental, emotional, and behavioral symptoms that can interfere with your child’s ability to succeed at school and build relationships with their peers and teachers. When left untreated, the condition can persist into adulthood, cause self-esteem problems, and prevent your child from fulfilling their potential.
Depression
While sadness is a normal human emotion, depression causes long-lasting feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and despair that interfere with your child’s behavior and health. Depression can impact your child’s health, self-esteem, friendships, and success at school.
Anxiety
Anxiety disorders cause intense fears and worries that can disrupt your child’s behavior, social development, and confidence. With treatment, your child can learn to manage anxious thoughts and feelings and limit the impact those emotions have on their behavior.
When should I talk to a doctor about my child’s mental health?
Sometimes it’s challenging to determine if your child’s behavior is normal or if they’re exhibiting signs of a mental health condition. Indications you should look for include:
- Sadness that lasts for more than two weeks
- Withdrawing from friends or social activities
- Out-of-control behavior
- A sudden drop in academic performance
- Changes in sleep or appetite
- Drastic changes in mood or personality
- Frequent headaches or stomach aches
If you’re concerned about your child’s mental health, call Inside Out to make an appointment.
What are typical child and adolescent psychiatry treatments?
Dr. Zeshan understands the unique needs of each child and creates customized treatment plans to address them. When necessary, he prescribes medication, but he also offers a range of therapies including play therapy, lifestyle recommendations, and complementary therapies. These approaches work together to restore your child’s well-being and equip them with the tools they need to thrive.
Beyond individual counseling for your child, Dr. Z also provides family counseling to support the entire family in understanding and coping with the situation. If your family is seeking child and adolescent psychiatry services, please call Inside Out or schedule an appointment online today. We’re here to help your child and family find the path to better mental health.
