mental health

When you think of pediatrics, you think of asthma, allergies, ear infections and well-child visits. You think of strep throat, croup, abdominal pain and bronchitis. You don’t think of mental illness. But according to the journal, Pediatrics, one in six children between the ages of 6 and 17 have a treatable mental health disorder such as depression, anxiety or Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder.

Half of the children with these disorders did not receive counseling or treatment from a mental health professional such as a psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker.

These stats show that family physicians and pediatricians are playing an increasingly significant role in the diagnosis and treatment of those with mental health conditions.

Riverview Pediatrics sees many patients with these three conditions as well as children with many other mental health disorders. I have a strong interest in mental health. I treat more pediatric patients with anxiety and depression than any other primary care physician in Maine. I treat more ADHD patients than nearly any other practice in Maine including psychiatrists and neurologists.

I have 24 years’ experience treating children with mental health disorders. I am familiar with the medications used to treat these conditions including antidepressants, atypical anti-psychotics, stimulants, and a vast range of psychotropic medications.

Bipolar disorder is diagnosed in children who are increasingly younger and younger, and the clinician must be capable of spotting the differences among behavioral issues, depression, other mood disorders and Bipolar disorder. The pediatrician cannot be afraid to consider the diagnosis or be afraid to use the wealth of psychotropic medication for these patients.

I particularly have an interest in Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD and Attention Deficit/Inattentive Type or ADD. Our practice has treated literally hundreds of children with ADHD. It is very rewarding as it is one mental illness where the right treatment plan and medication can make such a huge difference. ADHD medications ALWAYS work with patients diagnosed with ADHD. The one time it doesn’t is when the diagnosis is incorrect, or the patient is treated with too low of a dose.

At Riverview Pediatrics, we see every ADHD patient every three months, then prescribe 90 days’ worth of medication. Parents are very happy to be able to go to their pharmacies monthly to pick up their scripts rather than call and ask for another prescription. And many of the three-month follow-ups can be done via telemedicine.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is quickly becoming the number one mental disorder in the country. White it can certainly be hereditary, the many stressors from everyday life, school, and even parents, bring children to their healthcare providers. While counseling is important and should be the first step in treating anxiety, patients with severe anxiety often require medications to carry on their daily activities and enjoy a happy and healthy life. Many pediatricians do not feel comfortable prescribing these types of medications. At Riverview Pediatrics, we treat many patients with GAD due to the shortage of pediatric psychiatrist in the area.