🎙 Understanding the Emotional Landscape of Childhood

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Have you ever wondered why your child's recurring stomachaches seem to flare up before tests or social gatherings? The answer might lie in the fascinating two-way relationship between physical and mental health in children. 

When we think about pediatric care, we often focus on growth charts, vaccinations, and treating illnesses. Yet pediatricians play a crucial role in monitoring and supporting children's mental wellbeing too. They're trained to recognize conditions ranging from anxiety and depression to ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, and autism spectrum disorders—often before these issues severely impact a child's life.

The signs of mental health challenges can be subtle but significant. Persistent physical symptoms without clear medical causes, changes in sleep patterns, social withdrawal, declining school performance, or constant worry might all signal that something deeper is happening. As parents, distinguishing between typical childhood ups and downs and more serious concerns can be challenging, which is why pediatricians serve as invaluable partners in this journey.

When concerns arise, pediatricians begin with conversations and standardized screening tools, potentially leading to more thorough evaluations when needed. Treatment approaches vary widely—from talk therapy and lifestyle adjustments to medication in certain cases—and may involve referrals to specialists like child psychiatrists, psychologists, or neuropsychologists for complex situations.

At home, families create the foundation for emotional wellbeing through open communication, positive relationships, healthy lifestyle habits, and modeling effective coping strategies. Remember that seeking help isn't a sign of failure—it's a demonstration of strength and commitment to your child's complete wellbeing. Consider what small changes might positively influence your child's mental health today, and don't hesitate to start a conversation with your pediatrician about any concerns you might have.

Visit the blog post: https://www.omegapediatrics.com/role-of-pediatrician-mental-health-care/

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Episode Transcript

Stella (00:00):
Welcome back to have More Babies.
Today, we're really focusing inon something vital for every
parent, and that's understandingyour child's mental well-being.
We've been looking at insightsfrom Omega Pediatrics and what
really stands out is how theyview things this deep connection
between a child's physicalhealth and their mental state.

Matthew (00:17):
Exactly, and our goal today really is to help clarify
how pediatricians fit into thispicture.
Right, you know how theyiansfit into this picture.
Right, you know how theysupport kids' mental health.

Stella (00:27):
Right.

Matthew (00:27):
We want to talk about what signs to maybe look out for
and, crucially, when it's timeto seek help.
But you know, keep itstraightforward.

Stella (00:35):
Okay, perfect, let's jump right into that connection.
Then, physical and mentalhealth.
Well, it's more than justfeeling a bit low when you have
a cold, isn't it?
Especially for kids?
Oh Well, it's more than justfeeling a bit low when you have
a cold, isn't it, especially forkids?

Matthew (00:45):
Oh, absolutely yeah, it's fascinating really how it
works both ways, like thinkabout a child with chronic pain,
maybe ongoing stomach issues,or something that can
understandably lead to anxiety,maybe even depression.

Stella (00:56):
Yeah, that makes sense.

Matthew (00:57):
But then flip it around Anxiety or depression, those
can actually cause real physicalsymptoms headaches, stomach
aches.
You know it's a definitetwo-way street.

Stella (01:08):
Wow, okay.
So it's just as important totrack their emotional well-being
as it is their physical growth.
Charts and checkups.

Matthew (01:15):
Precisely.

Stella (01:15):
And usually the pediatrician is the first person
we call when something's upwith our kids health-wise.
So it's interesting how bigtheir role is in mental health
too.

Matthew (01:23):
They really are on the front lines, so to speak.
Pediatricians are trained tospot potential mental health
issues in kids and teenagers.
They see a whole range ofthings.

Stella (01:32):
Like what specifically?
What are some common thingsthey encounter?

Matthew (01:35):
Well, the CDC mentioned several Things like ADHD, which
affects attention,hyperactivity, sometimes
impulsivity, and Tourette'ssyndrome, which involves those
sudden tics, movements or sounds.

Stella (01:46):
Okay, and there's more right.

Matthew (01:47):
Oh yeah, there's OCD obsessive compulsive disorder
with those recurring thoughtsand behaviors, ptsd
post-traumatic stress disorderwhich can happen after well a
trauma.

Stella (01:57):
Am I involving flashbacks and nightmares
Exactly?

Matthew (02:00):
Then you have anxiety, which is more than just normal
worry.
It's excessive fear or uneaseand depression, that persistent
sadness, loss of interest inthings they used to enjoy.

Stella (02:11):
It's quite a list.
I think you also mentioned ODDand conduct disorder.

Matthew (02:15):
That's right.
Odd or oppositional defiantdisorder involves a pattern of
uncooperative defiant behaviortowards authority figures, of
uncooperative defiant behaviortowards authority figures and
conduct disorder is more severe,often involving rule breaking,
aggression, difficulty followingsocial norms.

Stella (02:32):
And beyond those specific conditions.

Matthew (02:34):
Pediatricians are also screening for other really
important things Autism spectrumdisorder, for instance,
learning disabilities too andthey're looking out for really
concerning signs like self-harmor potential substance use.
Their initial role is quitebroad.

Stella (02:47):
Got it.
So for parents listening, whatare we looking for?
It feels like it could be hardsometimes to tell typical kid
behavior from something wellmore serious.

Matthew (02:57):
That's a really important question.
I mean, kids have big emotions,right, they have ups and downs.
The key is looking for changesthat are persistent, things that
really start interfering withtheir daily life.

Stella (03:05):
Like school or friends.

Matthew (03:07):
Exactly School performance, their friendships,
how they sleep, just theiroverall mood and ability to
function day to day.
When those things areconsistently disrupted, that's
when we pay closer attention.

Stella (03:20):
Okay, so what kind of behavioral changes might signal
some things up.

Matthew (03:24):
Well, one thing is physical symptoms that don't
seem to have a clear medicalcause.
You know, frequent headaches,maybe stomach pains that keep
coming back, even things likerapid breathing or racing
heartbeat, sometimes Digestiveissues too.
These can sometimes be the bodyexpressing anxiety.

Stella (03:41):
Interesting, what else?

Matthew (03:42):
Sleep patterns are a big one.
Is the child having troublefalling asleep, staying asleep,
or maybe the opposite?
Are they tired all the time,sleeping way more than usual?

Stella (03:50):
Okay, sleep disturbances Got it.

Matthew (03:52):
Also persistent worry that seems out of proportion,
worrying intensely about, maybe,things that seem minor to
others, or if a child startspulling back, becoming more
isolated, not wanting to doactivities they used to love.

Stella (04:05):
Yeah, withdrawing socially.

Matthew (04:07):
Right, or just seeming constantly on edge, nervous,
agitated, avoiding certainsituations or places out of fear
or anxiety.
That's another potential sign.

Stella (04:16):
And I guess eating habits could change too.

Matthew (04:19):
Absolutely A noticeable change in appetite eating much
more or much less than usual candefinitely be linked to how
they're feeling emotionally.

Stella (04:27):
Okay, any other flags?

Matthew (04:28):
Yeah, a few more.
If a child starts giving upeasily on tasks that challenge
them, especially if they used topersevere, a significant dip in
school performance is worthnoting.

Stella (04:38):
Right.

Matthew (04:39):
And then there are the more direct emotional signs
consistent sadness, irritability, just a generally low mood that
doesn't seem to lift feelingsof guilt or blaming themselves
excessively.

Stella (04:50):
And obviously anything more serious.

Matthew (04:52):
Yes, absolutely.
Any talk about death, dying orexpressing thoughts of suicide
needs immediate attention andprofessional help.
No question.

Stella (05:00):
That's a very clear list , thank you.
So if a parent does notice someof these things, what happens
when they go to the pediatrician?
What are the first steps?

Matthew (05:06):
Well, the pediatrician will usually start by talking,
talking with the child, talkingwith the parents, asking about
mood, behavior, what changeshave been observed, just
gathering information.
They might also use what arecalled standardized screening
tools.
These are basically specificquestionnaires designed to help
assess mental health in a morestructured way.

Stella (05:28):
Okay, like a checklist or something Sort of?

Matthew (05:30):
yeah, it helps quantify things a bit.

Stella (05:32):
Yeah.

Matthew (05:32):
And if those initial conversations and screenings
suggest there might be somethinggoing on, then what thinks of
it?
And if those initialconversations and screenings
suggest there might be somethinggoing on, then they'll likely
recommend a more thoroughpediatric mental health
evaluation.

Stella (05:47):
This could involve maybe a more detailed psychological
assessment, or perhapsdevelopmental screening,
depending on the concerns, okay,and what kind of help or
treatment plan might come out ofthat evaluation?

Matthew (05:54):
It really depends on the child and the specific
situation, of course, but amental health care plan could
include several things.
Psychotherapy or talk therapyis very common.
Sometimes medication might beconsidered if it's appropriate
and carefully managed, andconnecting the family with other
support services in thecommunity is often part of the

(06:14):
plan too.
It's tailored.

Stella (06:16):
That makes sense.
It's good to know there aredifferent options.
What if it seems like a reallycomplex issue?
Does the pediatrician handleeverything?

Matthew (06:25):
Not always.
Pediatricians are excellent forinitial assessment and managing
many common issues, but ifthings are more complex or if a
very specific diagnosis isneeded, they will often refer
the family to a specialist.
They act as a crucial bridge tomore specialized care.

Stella (06:41):
Okay, that's good to know.
Can you tell us a bit about whothose other specialists might
be?

Matthew (06:46):
Sure, there are several types of professionals, for
example, developmental andbehavioral pediatricians.
They have extra trainingfocused specifically on kids'
development and behaviorassessment, diagnosis, making
treatment plans.
Okay, then there are child andadolescent psychiatrists.
These are medical doctors, sothey specialize in mental health
for young people and they canprescribe medication if needed.

Stella (07:06):
Right psychiatrists or MDs?
What about psychologists?

Matthew (07:09):
Good distinction.
Clinical child psychologistsusually have a doctorate, like a
PhD or a PSID.
They're experts in children'smental health therapy and
assessment.
They often work closely withpsychiatrists, especially if
medication is involved.

Stella (07:24):
Got it Any others?

Matthew (07:25):
Yes, sometimes a neurologist might be involved if
there's a question about thenervous system contributing to
the mental health picture.

Stella (07:32):
Hmm, and I've heard of neuropsychologists too.
How are they different?

Matthew (07:35):
Neuropsychologists focus on the brain behavior
connection.
They do specialized testing tolook at things like learning,
memory, problem solving skillsand how brain function might
relate to mental health orlearning issues.
Very helpful for things likelearning disabilities or complex
cases.

Stella (07:51):
Okay, and what about support within schools?

Matthew (07:54):
Right.
School psychologists are agreat resource.
They work right in the school,support students, use school
records, talk with parents andteachers and can make
recommendations for help.
And one more Licensed ClinicalSocial Workers, or LCSW.
They usually have a master'sdegree in social work and are
trained to evaluate mentalhealth concerns and create
treatment plans for people ofall ages, including children.

Stella (08:16):
Wow.
Ok, so there really is a wholenetwork of support available.
But going back to the family,their role must be huge in all
of this.

Matthew (08:24):
Oh, absolutely fundamental the home environment
is well.
It's the foundation for achild's emotional well-being.
Creating a home that feels safe, supportive nurturing that's
incredibly important.

Stella (08:36):
And how can families actively do that?
What are some practical things?

Matthew (08:40):
Well, open communication is key, Really
encouraging your child to talkabout their feelings and,
crucially, listening withoutjudgment, just creating that
safe space to share.

Stella (08:49):
Yeah, that sounds vital.

Matthew (08:51):
Fostering positive relationships is another one
Encouraging them to doactivities they enjoy, helping
them build good connections withfriends and family members.
And we can't forget the basicsA healthy lifestyle.

Stella (09:02):
Right Diet, sleep exercise.

Matthew (09:05):
Exactly A balanced diet , getting enough sleep, regular
physical activity.
They all have a massive impacton mental health, just like
physical health.

Stella (09:12):
Makes sense.
Anything else families canfocus on.

Matthew (09:15):
Being a good role model is powerful.
Kids watch everything, soshowing how you handle stress,
how you cope with difficultemotions in healthy ways, that
teaches them a lot.

Stella (09:26):
Leading by example, precisely.

Matthew (09:28):
And finally, just remembering that asking for help
is OK.
It's a sign of strength.
If you're concerned, talking toyour child's pediatrician or a
mental health professional isthe best step.
They're there to help navigatethis.

Stella (09:41):
So, pulling this all together, it's really clear that
we can't separate mental healthfrom physical health and kids.
They're deeply intertwined.

Matthew (09:48):
Exactly right.
And providing that support,that intervention when needed,
alongside a safe and loving home, that's what makes the biggest
difference.

Stella (09:57):
This has been incredibly insightful.
I think the big takeaway reallyis that pediatricians are such
key partners for parents innavigating their child's mental
health.

Matthew (10:05):
Definitely.
They're often the first, mosttrusted point of contact for
families looking for guidance.

Stella (10:10):
And if you want to learn more about the services Omega
Pediatrics offers and theirapproach to children's
well-being, you can visitomegapediatricscom.

Matthew (10:19):
Yes, please do, and if you found this discussion
helpful, maybe share it withother parents or caregivers.
Spreading awareness about thisis so important.

Stella (10:27):
Absolutely, and please subscribe to have More Babies or
download our discussions so youdon't miss future ones.
We really appreciate youjoining us.

Matthew (10:36):
We certainly do.
We hope to have you back again.

Stella (10:39):
And here's something to think about, knowing how closely
linked the mind and body are inchildren.
What's one small change youcould observe or maybe encourage
in your child's daily routinethat might positively influence
their overall well-being?
Something to consider.

Matthew (10:54):
Thank you again for listening and engaging with us
on this important topic.

Stella (10:57):
Bye-bye for now.