Behavioral Health

Your child’s mental health is a priority, and any unusual changes in their behaviors, such as social withdrawal or eating habit changes, should be addressed during their next pediatric visit. At Kids First Pediatric Clinic, LLC, in West Linn, Oregon, pediatrician Badia Jabbour, MD, and the team treat several mental health concerns in children and teens, including anxiety, eating disorders, and depression. Schedule your child’s mental health assessment over the phone or online at Kids First Pediatric Clinic, LLC, today.

What is mental health?

Your child’s mental health is just as important as their physical health, though many people forget or don’t realize that mental health conditions affect kids too. Many factors can impact your child’s mental health, including some that are within your control and others that are not. 

You might have concerns for your child’s mental well-being because of your family medical history, recent trauma in the family, or troubles in their social life, among other possible factors. The team at Kids First Pediatric Clinic, LLC, gives your child detailed mental health assessments to identify the possible cause of any signs or symptoms they experience.

Kids First Pediatric Clinic, LLC, ensures your child gets the individualized mental health care they need to feel content and better manage their thoughts and behaviors. 

Which conditions can affect my child’s mental health?

Mental health conditions in childhood don’t always have the same symptoms as they cause in adults. The team at Kids First Pediatric Clinic, LLC, evaluates your child’s unique thoughts and behaviors. 

Mental health conditions that might appear in your child include:

• Anxiety 
• Depression
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Bipolar disorder
• Eating disorders

After mental health testing, the team at Kids First Pediatric Clinic, LLC, tells you important details about the condition and how it impacts your child. Then, they can develop a care plan to alleviate symptoms. 

Individualized mental health treatment for children typically involves some combination of medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes. If your child can benefit from therapy, the team can refer your child to a specialist.

What are some signs of mental health conditions in children?

Even if you’re no mental health expert, you can probably detect changes in your child’s demeanor or behaviors pretty easily. While some are related to the different phases of childhood and adolescence and are typical of children in a given age group, you should report any concerning changes to the team at Kids First Pediatric Clinic, LLC.

Early symptoms of mental health conditions in children might include:

• Excessive worry
• Persistent sadness
• Trouble sleeping
• Weight loss
• Changes in eating habits
• Avoiding socializing
• Outbursts
• Changes in their academic performance

You may schedule an appointment for any concerns regarding your child’s mental health or bring them up during wellness visits at Kids First Pediatric Clinic, LLC. 

To schedule a mental health appointment for your child, call Kids First Pediatric Clinic, LLC, or book online today.