Takeaway: Doom scrolling social media feeds can entertain your teen, make her feel socially connected, and relieve underlying anxiety. But it also quickly becomes addictive and gives adolescents a warped view of the world. The solution? Help set internet rules and encourage other healthier online and offline habits. Read More
Takeaway: Adolescents already have to deal with a lot of anxiety and depression, and social media overuse just makes things worse. It distracts them from tackling their real-world problems, interferes with them developing an identity of their own, and worries them into thinking they’re missing out on all the fun other people seem to be having. As parents, we can set limits on social media use but might need the help of specialists to tackle any underlying anxiety and depression. Read More
Takeaway: Technology can offer adolescents new ways to get the physical and mental health support they need. And it can seamlessly blend into their daily routine in a way more traditional healthcare can’t. But it’s not a magic solution to all teen mental health challenges. So, parents and eHealth developers will need to play their parts in harnessing technology’s positives and cancelling out its negatives. Read More
Takeaway: CBT is a form of talk therapy that helps us change the way we think, which in turn changes the way we react to challenges. It can help your child through tough times, but make sure you find a skilled therapist who has experience working with children. Read More
Takeaway: Children with autism WILL find puberty so much harder because they struggle to make sense of what’s happening to them. Their brains are wired differently from birth, and the wiring changes even more during puberty. But as a parent, you can help by preparing them for these changes ahead of time. And where necessary, you can consult a specialist for extra help. Read More
Takeaway: Use the following 3-step process to help your teenager. (1) Recognise signs that she’s stressed and anxious, (2) Identify what’s triggered her, and (3) Teach her the right coping strategies. For more deep-rooted issues, consider consulting a specialist. Read More
Takeaway: Generalised anxiety disorder can make your child worry all the time, become restless, and struggle to concentrate. But merely reassuring her when she’s anxious is unlikely to help. Cognitive behavioural therapy from a trained therapist can teach coping skills to manage her emotions. Read More
Takeaway: Children with autism are usually quite solitary and emotionally withdrawn, making it harder to spot mental health issues. And they’re especially vulnerable to conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and depression. If you’re concerned about your child’s mental health, it’s worth finding a team of specialists who can support you and put together a comprehensive care plan for your child. Read More
Takeaway: ‘Selective mutism’ is a complex, uncontrollable reaction to anxiety, where children can’t speak in certain situations. It’s not that they don’t want to, or choose not to, they simply CAN’T. The trick is to get a diagnosis quickly (before things get worse) and use the training techniques your speech and language therapist provides. Read More