Behavioral health focuses on your child’s mood, emotions, and outlook. If your child has good mental health, they’re better able to handle life’s challenges. Likewise, poor mental health can affect their ability to focus, make friends, or do things that other children enjoy.

If you’re concerned about your child’s behavioral health, contact the team at Abdow Friendship Pediatrics. After a review of your child’s records and a physical exam, they can make treatment recommendations.

Make a behavioral health appointment for your child at Abdow Friendship Pediatrics if they experience any of the following symptoms:

• Feeling sad or down
• Excessive fears or worries
• Extreme feelings of guilt
• Withdrawal from friends or activities
• Significant tiredness or low energy
• Problems sleeping

You should also consider behavioral health if your child experiences extreme mood changes characterized by intense highs or lows.

At Abdow Friendship Pediatrics, the team uses behavioral health to treat various issues, including: 

Depression

Depression is a behavioral condition characterized by lasting feelings of sadness. If your child has depression, they might experience a significant change in appetite or lose interest in activities they used to enjoy. 

Anxiety

Everyone experiences anxiety occasionally, but if it’s a constant issue, your child may have an anxiety disorder. Common symptoms of anxiety disorders include abdominal pain, excess sweating, trembling, and panic attacks. 

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) 

ADHD is a behavioral issue that affects your child’s ability to sit still, focus, or stay on task. ADHD affects children of all ages, but it’s most common in boys. 

Bipolar disorder 

Bipolar disorder is a behavioral condition that causes your child to experience intense mood swings. Over time, these fluctuations affect your child’s reasoning skills and energy levels. There’s no cure for bipolar disorder, but medication and counseling can reduce uncomfortable symptoms. 

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 

PTSD is a behavioral condition that may occur after witnessing a traumatic or terrifying event, like a fire, a natural disaster, or a car crash. If your child has PTSD, they might have nightmares or be easily startled.

Treatment of behavioral health conditions depends on various factors, including your child’s age, the severity of their symptoms, and their effect on your child’s quality of life. 

The team at Abdow Friendship Pediatrics might recommend:

• Antidepressants
• Anti-anxiety medication
• Antipsychotic medication
• Mood-stabilizing medication
• Talk therapy (counseling)
• Residential treatment

Your child might also benefit from healthy lifestyle changes, like eating a balanced diet, getting plenty of rest, and learning stress management techniques, like yoga or meditation.

To request a behavioral health appointment for your child at Abdow Friendship Pediatrics, call the office or book online today. 

We specialize in Pediatric and Adolescent medicine in Rockville, MD. Call us to book your appointment today.