Description
Outline:
Why work with kids and teens?
“It’s easier to build strong children than fix broken adults.”
-Frederick Douglas
What are the most common mental health patterns seen in kids and teens?
Anxiety
Panic Attacks
Depression
Disassociation patterns
Insomnia
Eating disorders
OCD
ADHD
What are the causes?
Lack of meaningful socialization
Lifestyle – but what does this mean, what does this look like for kids and teens
Physical activity
Nutrition
Social media exposure
Bullying
Over-programmed? Under-programmed?
Social determinants of health in kids
Parenting
SES
What are the symptoms?
And are they different in kids/teens
Yellow and Orange Flags
Non-engagement during the visit
Lack of interest in activities, family, friends; social and emotional disengagement
Changing behaviour at home or school
Drop in grades at school
Increasing or persistent nightmares
Regression of emotional behaviours
Red Flags
Talk or attempts of suicide
Cutting
Unhealthy dependence or increase in substance use
Increase or engagement in high risk behaviours
Development of obsessive or repetitive behaviours
General: How do we treat mental health conditions in kids and teens
How do NDs fit into this?
“The thing with kids is: their parents”
Treating parents or caregivers: the importance of communication
The Foundations
How to talk to Kids and Teens
Communication and expression
Counselling
Teaching mindfulness tools
But keep it simple.
Meaningful socialization
Physical activity
Nutrition
Accessing Community Resources
When to consider medication
ND Interventions:
Botanicals
Acupuncture
Other
Specific: Treatments by Condition:
Anxiety
Typical Presentation
Treatments to consider
Case Example
Pro Tips
Panic Attacks
Typical Presentation
Treatments to consider
Case Example
Pro Tips
Depression
Typical Presentation
Treatments to consider
Case Example
Pro Tips
Insomnia
Typical Presentation
Treatments to consider
Case Example
Pro Tips
Eating disorders
Typical Presentation
Treatments to consider
Case Example
Pro Tips
ADHD
Typical Presentation
Treatments to consider
Case Example
Pro Tips
As presented at our Live 2023 ND Conference: Naturopathic Approaches to Various Disorders
