Have you noticed a few changes in your child's behavior recently? During a visit to Patriot Pediatrics, pediatricians Dr. Jacquelyn Chambers, Dr. Francine Hennessey, and Dr. Mitchell Feldman can determine if behavioral changes could be a sign of a behavioral health issue. Patriot Pediatrics serves patients in Bedford, Billerica, Chelmsford, Lexington, and Concord, MA.
Signs of behavioral health disorders
Children who have behavioral health disorders may:
- Worry obsessively or feel nervous
- Avoid school or social activities
- Have trouble making friends
- Ignore instructions from teachers or parents and have trouble following rules
- Struggle with separation issues
- Have trouble sleeping
- Blame others for their problems
- Act out or have temper tantrums frequently
- Exhibit aggressive behavior toward people or pets
- Seem sad or depressed
- Experience frequent headaches or stomachaches
- Revert to behaviors associated with younger children, like thumb sucking
- Find it difficult to sit still, pay attention, or follow through with schoolwork
- Talk about hurting themselves
- Have trouble at school, either socially or academically
Common causes of behavioral health problems
Your child's avoidance of social situations or worries about school could be related to anxiety, while a child who has difficulty sitting still might suffer from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Children who live in Bedford, Billerica, Chelmsford, Lexington, and Concord, MA, area, can benefit from a behavioral health visit with a pediatrician at Patriot Pediatrics. During the visit, the doctor will talk to you and your child about his or her symptoms and make a referral to LifeStance Health, our behavioral health partner, if needed.
Behavioral health problems can occur due to:
- Grief after the loss of a friend, family member, or pet
- Trouble adjusting to change (new school, new home, parent's divorce, etc.)
- Social anxiety
- Depression
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Eating or body image disorders
- Tourette syndrome
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Oppositional defiant disorder
- Phobias
- Alcohol or drug use
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Developmental delays
- Learning disorders
Are you worried that your child may have a behavioral health issue? If you live in Bedford, Billerica, Chelmsford, Lexington, and Concord, MA, area, schedule a consultation for your son or daughter with Dr. Chambers, Dr. Hennessey, or Dr. Feldman. Call (781) 674-2900 to make an appointment at Patriot Pediatrics.