Adolescent Psychiatry is a field of medicine that focuses on specific biopsychosocial factors that impact the developmental, mental and emotional disorders that arise in adolescence. It is a school of psychiatry that falls under the umbrella of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. It encompasses a wide array of mental health conditions seen in teens, ranging from anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation to substance abuse, eating disorders and ADHD.
Psychiatrists who specialize in treating adolescents are skilled in preventing, diagnosing and treating mental health conditions in young people using both psychotherapy and medication.
Mood swings, depression and anxiety are concerning mental conditions in adolescents. Especially if a teen is experiencing low self-esteem, feelings of worthlessness or talks about suicide, crisis intervention is critical. Teens often will research suicide prior to making a first attempt, so finding the topic in a teen’s search history online is something that should be taken very seriously. The rate of suicide for people aged 10–24 has increased by over 60% since 2007 and is now the second leading cause of death among young people.
Even minor physical complaints like headaches, stomachaches or changes in appetite can alert family members to an adolescent’s mental distress. Eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia or extreme dieting often manifest in adolescence, as do substance abuse disorders. Simple sleep issues – like sleeping more than usual – can be another red flag, as can persistent insomnia or trouble waking in the morning to go to school or work.
Changes in an adolescent’s mental state can be as subtle as loss of pleasure in activities or relationships a teen once enjoyed. Psychiatric evaluation and treatment can be one of the most healing, transformational steps for a teen in emotional distress, and it can change the course of a young person’s life. Contact us online or call ☎ (773) 594-9944 to schedule an initial consultation.
Adolescent Psychiatry encompasses the full range of factors that impact mental health in teens, from psychological, biological and environmental factors to medical, social and cognitive factors. It also takes into consideration educational factors, as well as family history and genetic factors. The developmental and hormonal shifts that occur in adolescence can also impact adolescent mental health and must be a part of the context in which a teen’s behavior and mental state are evaluated.
The field of Pediatric Psychology – also known as Child and Adolescent Psychiatry – is a branch of psychiatry focused on the diagnosis, treatment and management of mental health concerns in children and adolescents through the age of 18. While treatment approaches with adolescents may be different from those used to treat younger children, they fall under the same category of practice.
Pediatric psychiatrists, in general, are different from adult psychiatrists, as they are focused on preventing mental health problems by addressing risk factors early on and promoting a child’s healthy development. Also, unlike adult psychiatrists, both child and adolescent psychiatrists collaborate closely with other professionals involved in the life of a child or teen, including therapists and pediatricians, as well as school counselors and teachers. They also collaborate closely with parents or other family members.
Pediatric psychiatrists undergo specialized training in child development and treatment approaches specific to the age of both children and adolescents and are especially well versed in understanding the medical, psychological, and social factors that impact the mental health challenges faced by youth.
Both child and adolescent psychiatrists seek to identify and address behaviors and thinking patterns and how they are affecting the child or teen, specifically with regard to:
Adolescents can suffer from many of the same mental health conditions that adults experience – from autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia to more common conditions like depression, anxiety and ADHD. For adolescents, family members have such a tremendous impact on their mental wellness, so family involvement plays a key role in each step. Treatment typically involves the following steps:
Evaluation: The initial Adolescent Psychiatry evaluation is the very first step taken. This initial evaluation will help to diagnose the specific mental health disorder(s) affecting the teen.
Diagnosis: The adolescent’s diagnosis may change over time, as the adolescent matures into later adolescence and adulthood. It also may change as more in-depth treatment reveals additional diagnoses. Improvement in the condition(s) is another reason diagnoses may be altered.
Treatment Plan: Developing a treatment plan is the next step. Based on the initial evaluation, the most effective treatment options can be identified. Psychiatric treatment may involve different types of interventions, using medication and therapy. Oftentimes, lifestyle modifications like changes to an adolescent’s diet may be helpful.
A Note about Crisis Stabilization involving Teens: In acute mental health crises, emergency evaluations are usually conducted to assess the immediate risk to the adolescent and others, and to determine the appropriate level and type of psychiatric care needed to stabilize the crisis.
Every psychiatric evaluation is based on the needs of the teen being evaluated. Adolescents require a unique approach and a separate set of tools than might be used with younger children or adults. An assessment is typically based on the thought patterns and behaviors the youth is exhibiting, as well as other specific factors at issue.
A comprehensive evaluation is typically required to diagnose behavioral, psychological or developmental disorders in adolescents. The most common elements in most pediatric psychiatric assessments include the following:
Interview: An adolescent psychiatrist will generally require a detailed interview to collect information about the immediate concerns, as well as the youth’s medical history, family history, and any prior diagnoses or treatments.
Evaluative Tools: A variety of questionnaires or evaluative testing may be used to further assess the psychiatric condition of the teen, including educational assessments or speech and language assessments.
Physical Exam and Medical Testing: One aspect that separates psychiatry from psychology involves a focus on the physiological aspects of mental health. Adolescent psychiatrists may conduct a physical exam to rule out underlying medical conditions that could be contributing to mental or emotional symptoms in an adolescent. Medical tests - ranging from blood work or urine analysis to MRIs and CT scans – may be used to assess a teen’s physical and mental condition and any connections between the two.
When the patient is an adolescent, the initial referral may come from a school, physician’s office, family member, caregiver or institution. The responsible party, usually a parent, will have to authorize treatment. In other cases, where a parent or responsible family member is not involved, a guardian ad litem is appointed by the court.
Whether it is changes in grades, school relationships or simply not wanting to attend school, schools are often where mental health challenges are first noticed and brought to the attention of the child’s family or guardian. Symptoms that should trigger concern can include:
More serious symptoms like violence toward animals or people, hearing voices or seeing things that are not there are, of course, are more obvious causes for concern. Threats of violence or preoccupation with infamous “school shooters” should never be ignored in teens or even younger children.
Once the referral is made and the psychiatric evaluation is complete, an initial diagnosis is made. School and family involvement will be particularly important for any teen in psychiatric treatment.
The primary psychiatric provider will be able to address questions as long-term and short-term treatment goals are developed.
Because adolescence can be a time of emotional and physical transformation and turmoil, it is essential to initiate psychiatric treatment for troubled teens as soon as the need for intervention becomes clear. The first step is the initial psychiatric evaluation and diagnosis, which allows us to develop a treatment plan. Call ☎ (773) 594-9944 or contact us online for an initial Adolescent Psychiatry consultation.
Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatry, SC
5420 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago,
IL 60630
Phone: (773) 594-9944
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