At the Duffy Counseling Center, we see many children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, depression, and anxiety. The most common issue reported from parents is that their child is either not eating enough or consuming “empty calories.”
Empty calories is a term for foods and drinks that lack the vital nutrients necessary for normal brain and physical development, as well as overall wellness.
The University of Pittsburgh reviewed a 25 year longitudinal study covering the effects of early support for individuals and families in low income households. The study identified relationship between early intervention and behavioral regulation later in life.
Results indicate that early emotional support, including family and individual therapy for members of the family, helped with effective communication and proper goal setting.
In 2017, the American Psychological Association conducted a survey called Stress in America:
The State of Our Nation and its results indicated that stress is prominent across all age groups.
APA Stress in America™ Survey: US at ‘Lowest Point We Can Remember;’ Future of Nation Most Commonly Reported Source of Stress (November 1, 2017)
The study’s overall consensus was that while the causes of stress differ between groups, the effects of chronic stress or emotional exhaustion are consistent. Read more
With the summer ending, the idea of returning to school or back to a rigorous work schedule can be difficult to cope with. Most people “go with the flow” and take things day by day. This may be effective in the short term and can certainly help you enjoy the last few weeks of summer, but is not sustainable long term.
These symptoms have been researched heavily and findings reveal biological links to the disorder. For example, if a parent meets criteria for ADHD, their child is 50% more likely to exhibit symptoms of ADHD from an early age.
If such recommendations were heeded, then children and adolescents would be screened for depression by their pediatrician at the same time as their yearly physicals. With depression rates increasing each year, and an abundance of research supporting the need for early detection, this recommendation is a step in the right direction.
With the opioid crisis and the rise of benzodiazepine abuse, this is a general concern of most patients.
We generally do not recommend medication unless symptoms are severe and the patient has experienced little progress in talk therapy. The most common medications we see are anti-depressants (SSRI’s) and stimulant medications (Ritalin, Adderall, Vyvanse etc.).
Much of the focus is placed on violence, which is important, but what about the statistics that show an extremely concerning state of decay among our youth?
I remember September 11, 2001 very vividly.
I ignored the it for fear of getting into trouble and then heard my name over the PA system requesting that I report to student services immediately. My mother was on the phone and told me about what was going on. The World Trade Center had been hit by two planes and another had crashed into the Pentagon.
If you were to look at the job description for a school counselor, you would see that their role in the school is to provide academic and emotional support.
While it sounds simple, there is so much more that goes into this.
Add a case load of more than 75 students and then add other administrative duties they may have. How are they supposed to keep up?
At the Duffy Counseling Center, we see many children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, depression, …
The University of Pittsburgh reviewed a 25 year longitudinal study covering the effects of early support for individuals …
In 2017, the American Psychological Association conducted a survey called Stress in America: The State of Our Nation and …
Matthew has a particular interest in working with children and adolescents with learning disabilities, ADD, and ADHD, as he was diagnosed early in elementary school with Attention Deficit Disorder.
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Ruiz McPherson
