The Importance of Behavioral Health

A child’s emotional and behavioral issues are just as important as their physical health.

Certainly kids will be kids; however, when their behavior is affecting school, activities or friendships then it’s time you turned to our Marion, VA pediatricians Dr. Anita Henley and Dr. George Jones for support. Find out more about the behavioral issues you shouldn’t ignore and what we can do.

Does your child…

• Lose their temper often?
• Argue with parents, peers or other adults?
• Blame others for their behavior?
• Lash out or become angry or vindictive?
• Disrupt the teacher or classmates?
• Steal?
• Defy rules?
• Lack concentration?

Then you certainly have some behavioral issues on your hands. Fortunately, disruptive behavior disorders are easy for our Marion children’s doctors to identify because of the classic signs of aggression, fighting, tantrums and attention seeking. This group of disorders includes,

• Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
• Conduct Disorders
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Of course, children may also be dealing with anxiety, phobias or depression and exhibit some of these same behaviors. When you come in for care we will be able to better assess your little one and determine the root cause of these behaviors.

It’s important to treat your child’s behavioral and emotional issues now so that they don’t affect their social environment or schooling. By nipping it in the bud now you can save your little one from more behavioral troubles in the future.

So, when should you seek treatment?

Most parents don’t want to jump to conclusions and immediately take their child in to see us but you also shouldn’t just struggle through these behavioral issues until you are frustrated and tired. Typically, if these issues are lasting for more than six months without any success then it’s time to seek treatment.

One treatment option that we can recommend includes Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which will help to reduce negative behaviors by teaching your child how to positively interact with family members, authority figures and peers. In some instances, medication may also be needed (as is sometimes the case in children with ADHD).

Royal Oaks Pediatric Associates is here to provide children in the Marion, VA area with the best health care possible. We offer a full range of services so that your child always has the treatments necessary to lead a healthy, happy life.