Irritability, defined as a low threshold to experience anger in response to frustration, is one of the main reasons children are referred to a mental health evaluation. Irritability can appear as age-inappropriate temper outbursts and a sullen, grouchy mood.  It includes both mood and behavior components. All children (and adults) are irritable at some time, such as when they’re tired or not feeling well. The things that health care providers look for when considering irritability are how it impacts the child’s ability to function and whether it continues over time and in different settings, such as at school, at home…

Depression During Pregnancy and after Childbirth For most women, having a baby is a very exciting, joyous, and often anxious time. But for women with peripartum (formerly postpartum) depression it can become very distressing and difficult. Peripartum depression refers to depression occurring during pregnancy or after childbirth. The use of the term peripartum recognizes that depression associated with having a baby often begins during pregnancy. Peripartum depression is a serious, but treatable medical illness involving feelings of extreme sadness, indifference and/or anxiety, as well as changes in energy, sleep, and appetite. It carries risks for the mother and child. An estimated one in…

Most kids will act up or become disruptive or defiant sometimes. Disruptive and conduct disorders, however, involve much more severe and longer-lasting behaviors than typical, short-lived episodes. Disruptive, impulse-control and conduct disorders refer to a group of disorders that include oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, intermittent explosive disorder, kleptomania and pyromania. These disorders can cause people to behave angrily or aggressively toward people or property. They may have difficulty controlling their emotions and behavior and may break rules or laws. An estimated 6 percent of children are affected by oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder1. Each year, an estimated 2.7…

When schools were closed in the spring, some students with ADHD may have had trouble adjusting to online learning without a teacher present to support them. Online learning often requires students to be self-guided, manage their time and motivation, and complete tasks, assignments, or projects in the required time. However, other students may find fewer distractions at home, making it easier to focus on tasks. Learning from home also gives students a way to develop independence. Overall, the AAP advises that students learn best in-person and encourage schools to reopen if they can do so safely in their communities. But…

As many of our patients get ready to return to school, parents have questions regarding safety and possibility of exposure and infection for their children, and also for the rest of the family. Parents are coming to us for guidance, and unfortunately, at this time there are no formal guidelines to follow. The following is to serve as general information that we can consider and share with our patient’s parents to help them with the decision to allow or not their children return to the classroom. Remember this is a changing situation and our advice will likely change once more…