Thriveworks in Pflugerville, TX for Child and Adolescent Therapy/Counseling
If your child talks to you about a problem that is causing him distress, or if you notice something bothering him—especially if it is stretching into weeks or months—it may be time to make an appointment with a therapist or a counselor. The therapists and counselors at Thriveworks in Pflugerville, TX Child and Adolescent Therapy/Counseling are professionals who have had years of experience dealing with the many issues that can affect children. Reach out to Thriveworks Pflugerville today to schedule.
Common Mental Illnesses in Children
According to the U.S. Surgeon General, about 20 percent of American children suffer from a diagnosable mental illness during a given year. Nearly five million American children and adolescents suffer from a serious mental illness—one that interferes with their daily lives.
Children can suffer from the following mental illnesses.
- Anxiety disorders. Children with anxiety disorders respond to certain situations with fear and dread. They may show physical signs of anxiety or nervousness, such as rapid heartbeat and sweating.
- Disruptive behavior disorder. Children with these disorders defy rules and are often disruptive in school.
- Pervasive development disorders. This is when children are confused in their thinking and have issues with comprehending the world around them.
- Eating disorders. These involve extreme emotions and attitudes and sometimes unusual behaviors that deal with their weight and food.
- Elimination disorders. These disorders affect behavior related to the elimination of body wastes (feces and urine).
- Affective (mood) disorders. These disorders involve continuing feelings of sadness and/or quickly changing moods. Schizophrenia involves distorted perceptions and thoughts. Tic disorders cause a person to do repeated, involuntary and often meaningless movements and sounds called tics.
Some of these illnesses, such as anxiety, eating and mood disorders, as well as schizophrenia, can occur in adults as well as children. Others, such as behavior and developmental, elimination, learning and communication disorders, begin in childhood, but they can continue into adulthood. Children can have more than one disorder.
Symptoms of Mental Illness in Children
Children’s symptoms vary depending on the type of mental illness, but some symptoms to be aware of are:
- Changes in school performance, such as poor grades in spite of good efforts.
- Abuse of drugs and/or alcohol.
- Changes in sleeping and/or eating habits.
- Excessive complaining about physical ailments.
- Defying authority, skipping school, destruction of property or stealing.
- Great fear of gaining weight.
- Long-lasting negative moods that are often accompanied by poor appetite and thoughts of death.
- Frequent outbursts of anger.
- Loss of interest in friends, peers and things they usually enjoy.
- Great amount of time spent alone.
- Excessive worrying or anxiety.
- Hyperactivity.
- Persistent nightmares or night terrors.
- Continuing disobedience or aggressive behavior.
- Frequent temper tantrums.
- Hearing voices or seeing things that are not there (hallucinations).
Scheduling Child Therapy at Thriveworks in Pflugerville, TX
The therapists and counselors at Thriveworks in Pflugerville, TX have professional licenses and credentials and are the able to work with children and adolescents on numerous issues, including self-injury, neglect, learning disabilities and mood disorders. They ensure that children and adolescents feel safe and secure in the surroundings in order to be able to discuss issues that are preventing them from fully enjoying friendships, school, extracurricular activities and hobbies in their lives. Therapists use traditional talk therapy, behavior modification techniques, play and family therapy, as well as teach coping methods and treat underlying medical issues.
Call Thriveworks in Pflugerville, TX at (512) 955-3074 for child and adolescent therapy and counseling. Appointments are available, and many new clients meet with their provider the same week. We look forward to meeting you and your family.
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