SERVICES
Anxiety, OCD, & Mood
Care for Children & Teens
Anxiety, OCD, & Mood Care
Children and teens often encounter challenges with their overall mood, anxiety, stress levels, or ritualistic behavior. Parents may notice an increase in withdrawal, anger, school avoidance, or a decrease in motivation and drive. Changes from previous functioning may also appear sudden, while other changes may come on more gradually.
Misdiagnosis of conditions such as anxiety, depression, OCD, and ADHD is a significant concern due to the overlapping symptoms among these disorders. Understanding the distinctions and intersections is crucial for effective treatment to occur. Our thorough evaluations help ensure children and teens receive accurate diagnosis to generate appropriate recommendations and care.
ADHD, Anxiety & Depression
Symptoms can Overlap
The symptoms:
Difficulty concentrating is common to ADHD, anxiety, and depression.
Restlessness can appear in both ADHD and anxiety.
Sleep disturbances are a feature of both depression and anxiety and can also be seen in ADHD.
Symptoms of ADHD:
Inattention
Impulsivity
Forgetfulness
Hyperactivity
Difficulty organizing tasks
Symptoms of Anxiety:
Excessive worry
Fatigue
Irritability
Restlessness
Difficulty concentrating
Symptoms of Depression:
Persistent sadness
Changes in appetite or weight
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Loss of interest in activities
Sleep disturbances
Our Evaluations Inform Proper Evidence-Based Treatment
Treatment Options:
- ADHD is typically treated with stimulant medications like methylphenidate or non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine, along with behavioral therapy. The American Academy of Pediatrics ensures clinicians have proper guidelines for treatment using a combination approach (medication and therapy) or standalone treatment.
- Anxiety is often treated with a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure and response prevention (ERP), mindfulness, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and other anti-anxiety medications.
- Depression treatment often includes antidepressants, such as SSRIs, and evidence-based psychotherapy.
- Misdiagnosing ADHD as anxiety or depression (or vice versa) can lead to inappropriate medication prescriptions that may not only be ineffective but could also exacerbate the problem. For example, stimulants used to treat ADHD might worsen anxiety in some patients.
- Accurate diagnosis ensures that patients receive appropriate interventions that address their specific symptoms and improve their quality of life.
- Misdiagnosis can lead to prolonged suffering, as patients may not receive the right support and coping strategies
Evaluations for Anxiety, Mood Concerns and OCD should be comprehensive.
- Comprehensive Assessment:
- A thorough evaluation includes clinical interviews, questionnaires, direct testing, and behavioral observations
- Collateral information from family, teachers, or significant others can provide additional insight
- Differential Diagnosis:
- Evaluations consider the possibility of comorbidity, as patients can have both ADHD and anxiety or depression.
- Understanding primary and secondary symptoms can help. For example, anxiety-driven inattention might occur only during anxiety episodes, whereas ADHD-related inattention is more consistent.
- Developmental History:
- ADHD symptoms often appear in childhood, whereas anxiety and depression can develop later. A detailed developmental history can aid in distinguishing these conditions.
- Functional Impact:
- Evaluating the impact on different areas of life, such as academic performance, work, and social relationships, helps in understanding the primary concern or diagnosis that needs front-line treatment and support.
We're here to help!
We understand that knowing where to start can be challenging. Please use our contact form to reach out, and we will support you in finding the best way forward for your child.
