How Buffalo Pediatrics Addresses Child Mental Health

Behavioral/mental health is an important part of a child’s overall well-being. It focuses on the mental, emotional, and social aspects of life as a child grows. As children develop, they are constantly learning how to interact with the world around them, and how to respond to these interactions. As challenges during that development arise, it is important to identify mental health needs early on so children can be supported appropriately through quality behavioral health services.

If your child experiences distress or consistent problems throughout their everyday life, they may have a behavioral disorder. At Buffalo Pediatrics, we understand the delicate nature of behavioral/mental health and want to support your child and family best we can. Our dedicated team of trained pediatricians are committed to providing compassionate care tailored to your child’s unique needs. Parents/guardians of children with symptoms of anxiety, depression, ADHD, and/or any other behavior-related concern should contact our pediatric clinic in Buffalo, NY by calling (716) 884-8018.

Common Mental and Behavioral Disorders

A mental or behavioral issue can present itself in many forms. A few of the most frequent disorders that appear in children are:

Anxiety

If your child is so fearful or worried that they are unable to perform daily functions at school or at home then they may have an anxiety disorder.

Depression

All kids experience sadness. However, if this sadness progresses into feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, it may be a sign of a more concerning condition such as depression.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental condition that can affect children in a variety of ways. Generally, kids with ADHD experience trouble when trying to focus on a task.

Conduct Disorder (CD)

If children are consistently breaking rules set forth by their parents or teachers, and are aggressive toward others, they may be diagnosed with conduct disorder.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

This disorder typically presents itself in children ages 8-12 and is characterised by a short temper, refusal to follow the direction of others, and arguing with people in a disrespectful manner.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Kids with OCD may have obsessions, compulsions, or both. These cause the child to have an urge that may not be particularly rational, but makes them feel as though they must act on it anyway.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Generally, children are incredibly resilient, which allows them to recover quickly from a stressful event. Cases where such stressful events leave a lasting, negative impression on their child and their life are known as post-traumatic stress disorder.

Tourette’s Syndrome

Both children and adults with Tourette’s will make involuntary verbal or physical outbursts that are referred to as “tics”.