Mental health disorders are on the rise, especially among children. At Ludlow Pediatrics in Ludlow, Massachusetts, pediatrician Robert J. Willis, MD, FAAP, is experienced in getting at the root cause of the emotional and mental conditions kids suffer. If your child is anxious or depressed because of learning problems, family upsets, bullying, or any other issue, Dr. Willis and his team are ready to help. Call Ludlow Pediatrics today or go online to schedule a consultation on your child’s emotional well-being.
There are several types of anxiety: generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and panic disorder, among others.
Anxiety can affect a person’s daily living for several days up to months at a time. Symptoms of anxiety can include:
Depression is defined as a person feeling sad, lonely, and scared. When you are diagnosed with depression, it’s because these feelings have been present for a while and could be getting worse.
Different types of depression like major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), adjustment disorder, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can affect people. The most common of these is major depressive disorder.
Depression is diagnosed when one of these factors is found:
Social and/or educational activities can be affected by depression. If these symptoms last more than two weeks, diagnosis and treatment become necessary.
People who have experienced grief, divorce, illness, climate change, and other increased stress can experience anxiety and/or depression as a result.
Studies show that females are twice as likely to suffer mental health disorders as males. In fact, 63% of the world’s population affected by mental health disorders are female.
Anxiety and depression can be treated together, each usually has its own cause and symptoms. No clear clinical evidence suggests that one disorder causes the other.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a short-term treatment that involves taking steps to manage symptoms by eliminating the negative stressors and replacing them with positive thinking. Medication may also be prescribed. Talk therapy may be provided by psychotherapists, social workers, psychiatrists, and counselors.
For mild cases of depression or anxiety disorders, self-help techniques like physical activity and a better diet can greatly improve your mental health. Psychotherapy and medication management may be necessary on a long-term basis to moderate a person’s mental health symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Call us for your appointment today.