Mental health in children is an indicator of their ability to thrive in adulthood. Parents and caregivers have learned so much about supporting children and their emotional and psychological well-being in general. Still, when something tragic occurs, it’s important to support caregivers as they help children cope with the possible mental health repercussions. 

Helping our kids navigate their feelings and questions after an occurrence of a school shooting is a complex issue that concerns a lot of parents. Though mass shootings are statistically rare, and are not a new phenomenon, our youth today are facing an immense amount of exposure thanks to the 24-hour news cycle, social media access, and active shooter drills at schools. 

This results in anxiety and fears that did not exist on the same level in previous generations. Parents looking for support when it comes to discussing school shootings with their families can find information and resources to take the next steps in this blog post.

Check your Own Anxiety and Reaction First

Our kids often look to us to set the tone. If we are emotionally dysregulated, have a higher level of stress, and are quicker to react harshly, they notice. It affects their experience of safety and stability when we are not ourselves. It’s absolutely natural and even expected for us to be more reactive or have higher anxiety levels when traumatic events are happening around us, but it’s also important to recognize how our behaviors may be affecting our kids. Here are some things parents and caregivers can do:

• We can work to make sure schedules, routines, and structures are as predictable as possible.

• We can seek support from others to work through our struggles: family, friends, clergy, community members, and/or mental health professionals.

• We can pick a time when we are calm to start talking about their feelings and experiences, which will help them feel comfortable and secure.

Start by Listening

It’s important that children’s feelings are validated, but we also want to make sure we’re approaching them in developmentally appropriate ways. Additionally, we do not want to overwhelm them with excess information triggering more anxiety. Here are a few ideas to help you get started with appropriate ways to discuss heavy topics like school shootings:

• We can start with open-but-specific questions. Instead of, How are you feeling? We can ask, Have your friends or teachers been talking about what has occurred? Do you have questions about what you have seen or heard?

• Listening to your children will help you to know which follow-up questions to ask, and empower your children to lead the direction of the discussion to help you understand what support they may need at the moment. 

Give Children Information about What They Can Control 

Experiencing structure and safety is vital during times of tragedy or uncertainty. Remind children that you and the other adults in their lives are here to protect them, and approach drills like any other safety practice. We have fire drills, tornado drills, and hurricane evacuation plans NOT because it is likely we will need them, but because we want to be the most prepared in the very rare instance they may happen. Remind them that active shooter drills are there to help us know exactly what to do in order to be safe and prepared even though it’s incredibly unlikely they will need it.

Children- and many other people for that matter- also take comfort when there is something positive and actionable that they can do to move forward. Fundraising, sending cards and letters, and participating in other acts of kindness can be really helpful during the coping process, and also encourages empathy in children which is beneficial for their overall mental health.

Get Professional Support
If your child appears to have increased anxiety about violent tragedies in our country, and you’re looking for more extensive resources, you may want to talk to a professional to help with coping support. Speaking with a mental health professional can help them regain a sense of safety and preparedness as well as identify additional triggers to their anxieties. Reach out today if your family is looking for more support from our team of licensed professionals.

Anxiety is a normal part of life, and as such, most people experience some level of anxiety at one point or another. However, during particularly stressful times, anxiety can be difficult to deal with and can escalate to what is known as an anxiety attack or panic attack. An anxiety attack is usually triggered by something specific in your environment or thinking patterns.  It creates a physical reaction that can feel very scary. Common physical symptoms of an anxiety attack can include:

• Sense of impending doom or danger
• Fear of loss of control or death
• Rapid, pounding heart rate
• Sweating
• Trembling or shaking
• Shortness of breath or tightness in your throat
• Chills
• Hot flashes
• Nausea
• Abdominal cramping
• Chest pain
• Headache
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, or faintness
• Numbness or tingling sensation
• A feeling of unreality or detachment

If you’re able to identify what triggers your anxiety (and talk about it), then you can start working on coping strategies before they have time to really get under your skin (or even worse— cause an attack). If you begin to feel some of these symptoms coming on, consider the following preventative steps to help you through it.

1. Take control of your breathing

Practice breathing exercises regularly so that when you are feeling an attack coming on, you can prevent it or work through it faster. Try breathing in through your nose, and exhaling out through your mouth for 10-30  seconds. This will help lower your heart rate and make you feel calmer.

2. Distract yourself

Can you focus on something else? If so, try doing that until the feeling passes (like watching TV or reading). Keep yourself occupied with positive thoughts that are not related to what caused the anxiety in the first place. This will help replace the triggering thoughts and keep you calm and relaxed.

3. Talk yourself through it

You can prevent or work through an anxiety attack by reminding yourself that you are in control and practicing self-talk.

• Remember that this too shall pass.
• You’ve felt this feeling before, and know what to do next
• You are safe, and it will be okay
• You are stronger than your anxiety

4. Be aware of your surroundings

Staying grounded in the moment is a great method for combatting anxiety

• Stay in the present moment by recognizing physical objects, and senses around you.
• Focus on your breathing.
• Practice mindfulness by focusing on what’s around you in the here and now without judging it or getting caught up in any negative thoughts about it (or yourself). 

5. Write it out

• Keep a journal. Writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you process them, and can be a great way to remember what happened in the past. 
• Write a gratitude list each night before bed so that when anxiety strikes, even during sleep, it’s easier to focus on all that’s going well in life rather than fixating on negative thoughts
• Write down daily activities such as meals eaten or errands run so that when anxiety escalates, you can track habits and focus on what to do next.

Being prepared for an anxiety attack is a key component of managing it. If you know what to expect, then you can take steps to control it. If you’re struggling with anxiety,  know that you are not alone.  You should talk about it and seek help from a mental health professional, friend or family member, support group, counselor, and/or doctor. If you don’t know where to start and need assistance finding someone who can help you, reach out to the team at Hudson Psychiatric Associates today.

and How You Can Help

A common challenge children with ADHD face is navigating relationships with their peers. This can include maintaining friendships and experiencing rejection. As parents and caregivers, it can be heart-wrenching to watch your child struggle with developing successful peer relationships, but there are resources and support to help intervene early and regularly. With early intervention, your child can develop some essential tools. Family, teachers, and other adults play a key role in supporting children with ADHD  to develop the skills they need to create and maintain healthy and lasting friendships.

Typical Peer Relationship Struggles for Children with ADHD

Do any of these descriptors sound familiar?

• They have difficulty playing by the rules when engaging in paired or team activities.
• They struggle to develop close friends and keep those friendships going long term
• They are likely to argue or fight with peers when engaging in activities.
• They appear withdrawn or uninterested in the activities and interests of others.
• They misread social cues and are found to be annoying by their peers.
• They have difficulty managing their own feelings.
• They may have developed a negative reputation among their peers.
• They lack the social and conflict resolution skills that others seem to have developed.

If any of these characterizations ring true for your child, you are not alone. It’s very common for children with ADHD to be less socially mature than their peers, and to have a hard time reading and navigating social situations. The good news is there are simple ways you can support children with ADHD and help them develop the skills necessary to increase their self awareness and social skills in order to support long term friendships.

1- Recognize What Makes Your Child Wonderful

Children can often feel rejected and worthless when they have troubled friendships. In order to help them build their self-esteem, recognize what makes them worthy and what you enjoy when you are around them.

 Are they creative? Do they have a great sense of humor? Do they have a special skill or talent that they are passionate about? Do they have a kind heart? Do they give great hugs? Does their energy bring you joy at times? Whatever it is, point it out and let them know how much you value what makes them special. Developing a stronger self concept will help prepare them for the coaching and guidance they need when it comes to peer relationships. Help them understand they don’t have to change who they are, they’re simply learning a new set of skills they need some help with.

2- Support their Social Skills Development

Coaching children through difficult-to-navigate social situations in the moment is important, but they also need regular practice in low-stakes environments. This will help the skills cement themselves in your child’s brain so they know how to react when they are experiencing situations down the road. Social skills can take a lot of practice because children with ADHD are battling with impulsivity and/or inattentiveness, which makes saying and doing the appropriate thing a more difficult task.  

Ask your child questions and help them navigate what-if scenarios. Role-play with them in a safe and non-judgemental environment. Research and ask for resources for social stories from your child’s school, or community programs. Talk to your child’s pediatrician about your options.

3- Reach Out for Mental Health Support

ADHD is one of the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorders in children and adolescents. The good news is that the staff at Hudson Psychiatric Associates are more than capable of helping both you and your child navigate the world of ADHD with evidence-based treatment options like play therapy, holistic and collaborative treatment plans, and medication when necessary.

Reach out to our team today to request an appointment by filling out and submitting our contact form. 

Prior to the pandemic, we were seeing increases in children faced with mental health struggles. Since the pandemic began, it has hit astronomical heights.

In late 2021, The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Children’s Hospital Association put out a joint statement declaring a National Emergency in Child and Adolescent Mental Health.

Due to the adversities and disruptions faced on a global level, an already growing issue facing our youth of increased anxiety, depression, and attempted suicide has set alarm bells off for advocacy groups who are fighting to address and change the systemic complications that inhibit a child’s access to support.

Complicated access to youth mental health support

Schools are often the first place that can recognize and offer support for children dealing with mental health struggles. When students are learning virtually, it’s much harder for teachers and school staff to identify problems, and it can be a lengthy process in getting them support through public education resources. This is made even more complicated by budgets stretched to their breaking points and schools being chronically understaffed.

A lack of support at school to include parent advocates and educators makes it difficult for families who are already facing external struggles to know where to turn or the right steps to take to protect and support their kids.

While this is a complex issue with no easy fix, there are some steps you can take if you experience or suspect a child is facing mental health struggles.

Addressing the problem and finding solutions

Indicators that a child is struggling with their mental wellbeing include difficulty in school isolation from peers and social anxiety, low self-esteem, poor focus, mental exhaustion, and loss of social skills.  If you have children and haven’t experienced ANY of these, count yourself among the extremely lucky few. 

If you have, there are a number of ways you can begin to address these struggles and help your child regain feelings of empowerment, joy, and resilience.

First Step: Check in with yourself. 

If you are a child’s caregiver, you are their most important ally in regaining mental health. That’s next to impossible if your own struggles aren’t being addressed and possibly treated. Put your oxygen mask on first and reach out for support. You can talk to your doctor about lifestyle changes, and possible further interventions to help you deal with struggles ranging from extra stress and anxiety to depression and chronic mental illness.

Adjusting to the new normal

It’s important for all of us to reintegrate social interaction into our lives. It feeds our mental wellbeing to build and nurture positive relationships with friends and family. Check out this blog post that gives tips for reintegrating back into a new normal after the traumas and isolation of the pandemic.

We are all in this together

Parents can reach out to their child’s school or doctor to help connect them with agencies that can offer the deeper level of support needed. Your child’s school may not be able to address it within its walls alone, but many public schools have access to public services that might be appropriate for your child.

Child psychiatrists and therapists can help by using a variety of evidence-based treatments including play therapy, family therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and medication treatment if needed.  They will work with the child’s parents, teachers, pediatricians, and other relevant people to help kids improve their overall function and wellbeing in school, home, and elsewhere.

There is no easy answer or one size fits all solution to addressing this critical issue among our youth. If you need help figuring out the next best step, reach out to our team of doctors and therapists at Hudson Psychiatric Associates to learn more. 

Trauma is not an uncommon experience. More than half the population will experience some type of trauma in their lifetime. For 6% of people, trauma will trigger Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms at some point. 

PTSD is a condition caused by experiencing or witnessing traumatic events like:

• Life Threatening Violence
• Combat Exposure
• Sexual Violence or Abuse
• Childhood Abuse
• Grave Accident or Injury

It’s important that people who are exposed to traumatic events understand and identify when they may be experiencing symptoms of PTSD, and are able to recognize when it might be time to seek treatment. Our objective at Hudson Psychiatric Associates is to help you make educated decisions about your mental health.

Understanding PTSD symptoms 

Trauma doesn’t always trigger symptoms of PTSD, but when it does, it affects people in a variety of ways. PTSD presents in people of all ages and is influenced by a variety of factors like intensity or duration of the trauma and other traumatic events in your life, genetics. brain chemicals, and natural resilience and coping mechanisms.

PTSD symptoms are generally categorized in 4 ways and include:

• Intrusive Memories
• Avoidance
• Negative changes in thinking and mood
• Changes in physical and emotional reactions

When is it time to seek professional help for PTSD?

When symptoms begin to interfere with your daily life or get worse over time and you are having difficulty coping, it may be time to seek psychiatric services to get treatment. The earlier a patient receives treatment for their symptoms, the easier those symptoms are to treat and get under control. 

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, reach out for additional help through your mental health professional as well as support systems like your loved ones, spiritual leaders, and/or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). 

What a Psychiatric Professional Can Offer To Treat PTSD

Those who suffer from trauma and PTSD may benefit from different treatment approaches. Hudson Psychiatric can integrate psychotherapy with medical assessment and treatment including ordering medical tests and prescribing medication if necessary. We support alternative medicine therapies and take time to evaluate the whole patient while making clinical and therapeutic treatment decisions 

Psychotherapy and medical intervention should be included with coping techniques you use independently. That can look like support groups,  education and empowerment, self-care, and following the treatment plan your psychiatric professional provides.

There are a variety of ways to treat the symptoms of PTSD. Reaching out to a mental health professional who you can trust is the first step. Our team of psychiatric service providers in Hoboken and Paramus offers a variety of resources and services to fit your needs including convenient virtual appointments.  Contact us today to learn more about our treatment options.