Pediatric Psychiatry

When children experience mental health challenges, parents can feel overwhelmed when faced with how to best meet their child’s needs. That’s why the team at Peak Interactive Wellness offers pediatric care to families in and around Denver, Colorado. When you’re ready to explore options for your child, call the office to book a visit, or use the easy online scheduling tool to find a time that fits your busy life.  

What mental health issues benefit from pediatric care?

Childhood can be a time of carefree innocence, but it can also be a challenging time rife with uncertainties and worries. Some kids encounter relatively short-lived mental health concerns, while others experience disruptive and upsetting mental health conditions that last for many years. 

Depression affects children in higher numbers than most parents realize. Kids who experience depression can’t always enjoy the aspects of childhood that are so joyful and rich. Anxiety is also a common pediatric mental health condition and can take a number of forms. Kids who live with anxiety often limit their activities due to persistent fears or worries. 

Some of the other mental health issues common among kids include:

• Tourette syndrome
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Conduct disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Fortunately, there are treatments that can help kids live active, full, and rewarding lives, both as children and into adulthood. 

What are some signs my child might need pediatric care services?

Understanding what to look for empowers parents to know when to seek help for their child. Some of the signs of mental health struggles include:

• Withdrawing from friends and family
• Eating more or less than usual
• Sleeping more or less than usual
• Inability to find joy in activities that were once favorites
• Persistent and uncontrollable fears
• Inability to adhere to behavioral expectations at home or school
• Problems making or maintaining friendships

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder presents a unique set of symptoms, including:

• Inability to sit still
• Problems following directions or focusing
• Struggling to wait one’s turn
• Climbing, running, or jumping at inappropriate times
• Repetitive behaviors like fidgeting or tapping feet
• Problems keeping up with belongings

If you notice these changes, it may be time to seek professional help. 

How are pediatric care needs met in a clinical setting?

Just as no two kids are alike, each child has unique mental health needs. Practitioners at Peak Interactive Wellness begin with a comprehensive assessment, striving to understand how your child feels and functions. 

Medication may play a role in treating certain conditions, and it might take a combination of medications to achieve optimal effects. Talk therapy is also beneficial in many cases and focuses on helping kids improve their resilience and coping mechanisms.  

When you’re ready to find solutions, call or book an initial consultation online at Peak Interactive Wellness.