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kansas city psychiatry - northland child psychiatry - PTSD-help

PTSD: Signs and Treatment

The teenage years can be a whirlwind of emotion, but sometimes those feelings can intensify. It's normal for teens to be moody. Still, if your teen is having difficulty in school or is showing signs of irritability or agitation, they may have developed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD can manifest in different ways and include symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, emotional numbness, hypervigilance, and avoidance of trauma-related activities.

It's important to note that everyone has their own unique experiences with PTSD...

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How pre-teens and teens can manage anxiety - kansas city psychiatrist - brayden willis - kcpsychiatrist

How pre-teens and teens can manage anxiety

About anxiety

Everyone can suffer from anxiety at some point in their life. It's a common emotion characterized by a feeling of worry, fear and apprehension. Anxiety isn't limited to these feelings, however - it also includes physical symptoms like nausea and sweating, as well as changes in behavior like avoiding the source of worry or seeking additional reassurance.  Anxiety can be situational and thus resolved after the situation has passed, but it can remain without a specific cause. Everyone experiences...

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KC Psychiatrist - kansas city psychiatrist - Northland Child Psychiatry - brayden willis

Learning Disorders – Knowing Signs

Learning disorders can make it hard for a child to read, write or do simple math. Understand the signs and what you can do.

 

What is a learning disorder?

Many children with learning disorders struggle in school long before being diagnosed. This can affect a child's self-esteem and motivation. It is important to be able to recognize the signs of a learning disorder so that you can get your child the help they need. Learning disorders generally affect people of average or...

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Parenting a child with ADHD - Kansas City Psychiatrist - Brayden Willis

Parenting Teens with ADHD

You and many other parents may wonder why your child hasn’t outgrown their difficulties sitting still, thinking of consequences before acting, resisting distractions, organizing daily activities, and managing time wisely. People used to believe that only young kids had ADHD and that children grew out of it as they got older. Now we know differently. Today’s research has shown that most kids do not outgrow ADHD when they reach adolescence, and most teens don’t outgrow ADHD when they become young...

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northland child psychiatry -Kansas City, MO - libery mo - bipolar disorder

Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens

Bipolar disorder is a severe mental illness that can cause extreme changes in mood. Children and teens with bipolar disorder may have trouble functioning at home, school, or work. They may also have problems with substance abuse and / or other mental health disorders. It’s important for parents and caregivers to be aware of the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder so they can get their child the help they need.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that...

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substance abuse - kansas city missouri - northland child psychiatry - liberty missouri

The Importance of Screening for Substance Use in Adolescents

Parents play a critical role in their children’s lives. As their children grow to pre-teens and teens, parents worry about new risks they may experience. One such risk is the use of substances, such as alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, and other drugs. Parents can help by talking to their teen’s pediatrician about screening for substance use.  Substance use by teens can have a big impact on their health and well-being. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), through a cooperative agreement with the...

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Teen Suicide - Kansas City Psychiatrists - liberty missouri- brayden willis

Teen Suicide: Causes and Warning Signs

Unfortunately, suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people 10 to 24 years old. Many parents wonder: Could this really happen to my child? The answer is yes. Young people of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, income levels, and community backgrounds die by suicide every year.

There are many things that can cause young people to think about ending their lives, including the loss of a loved one, bullying, and discrimination. It's important to be aware...

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Kansas City Psychiatrist - Northland Child Psychiatry - Brayden willis

An Introduction to Depression

Depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, think, and act. Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression causes sadness and a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed. It can lead to various emotional and physical problems and decrease your ability to function at work and home.

If you are experiencing some or all of the following symptoms, you may be suffering from depression: Feeling sad or having a depressed mood Loss of interest or pleasure...

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northland child psychiatry - liberty missouri - brayden willis

Anxiety Disorders in Teenagers

Symptoms of anxiety disorders vary from teenager to teenager. Generally speaking, they include excessive fears and worries, feelings of inner restlessness, and a tendency to be excessively wary and vigilant. Even when there is no threat, some teenagers may experience continual nervousness, restlessness, or extreme stress. Anxiety teenagers may appear dependent, withdrawn, or uneasy in social settings. They may also seem either overly restrained or overly emotional. Preoccupation with worries about losing control or unrealistic concerns about social competence is...

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OCD - Northland Child Psychiatrist - Liberty Mo - Kansas City MO

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: The Causes and Treatments

Teen Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) features a pattern of unwanted thoughts and fears (obsessions) that lead you to do repetitive behaviors (compulsions). These obsessions and compulsions interfere with daily activities and cause significant distress.

You may try to ignore or stop your obsessions, but that only increases your distress and anxiety. Ultimately, you feel driven to perform compulsive acts to try to ease your stress. Despite efforts to ignore or get rid of bothersome thoughts or urges, they keep coming back. This...

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