*Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners prescribe psychotropic medication – also known as “medication management”.
Like an adult, children may also develop psychiatric conditions. While it is something that you wouldn’t dream of happening to your own child, it is a reality you must accept to focus on the issues, possibly affecting your child, their quality of life and their future.
In most cases where medication is needed, symptoms can be intense and often do not respond to other types of interventions, such as therapy, behavioral modification, etc. Medication management is often beneficial when used in conjunction with child therapy and family therapy.
While you know your child best, you may need the proficiency of a psychiatrist to decide if your child needs psychiatric help.
What the Symptoms May Indicate
Many children won’t tell you they have concerns; it is usually up to the grown-ups to recognize symptoms that may indicate a problem. Knowing the signs of the common conditions affecting children is important, but more critical is your knowledge of your child. What others may consider as red flags may actually be a normal “acting out” or “seeking attention” behaviors for your child. However, if your child has severe symptoms that affect his/her daily life, it is best to have an evaluation.
Being familiar with your child’s behavior is critical to observe subtle or significant changes. Asking other family members and their school mentors may help you validate your observations. Because you know your child well, trust your instinct. Bring your child for psychiatric evaluation once you have that slightest suspicion. Don’t let other concerns stand in the way, the sooner the better.
How a Psychiatrist Can Help
There are several reasons why your child would benefit from the care of a qualified psychiatrist. The most important would be because your child’s symptoms are intense and/or triggered by a chemical imbalance, and may thus require medication. If the cause of the condition is chemical imbalance, your child would benefit from medications specifically designed to address specific symptoms that may interfere with your child’s daily functioning.
While a family doctor/general practitioner can prescribe psychotropic drugs , it is best that your child goes through a proper psychiatric evaluation in the hands of a trained, licensed psychiatrist first. A proficient psychiatrist or Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner would be knowledgeable about the most recent trends in psychotropic medication, and what can be most helpful for your child.
Dreaming and Living the Chance to Have a Happy, Functional Child
A licensed Psychiatrist or Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner from Living Well Psychiatry in Fayetteville, NC can work with you so you can decipher if those red flags are true manifestations of a serious psychiatric condition. Once it is confirmed that indeed your child is affected by a condition, your child’s psychiatrist can further work with you in the quest for the most appropriate medication.
A good psychiatrist from Living Well Psychiatry will only prescribe a psychotropic medication if it can help your child achieve functionality and if it is safe for him/her. By strictly adhering to the prescription and with proper monitoring, your child gets the chance to live a happy, productive life.