How does Talkiatry treat children and adolescents?
Our team
At Talkiatry, we have a team of board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrists led by Dr. Ilisse Perlmutter, a double-board certified, award-winning psychiatrist with decades of experience treating children and adolescents.
Prior to joining Talkiatry, Dr. Perlmutter held leadership positions at some of the nation’s top hospitals. She was the Chair of Behavioral Health and Addiction Services at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center and the Director of Inpatient Psychiatry at Montefiore Medical Center-Wakefield in New York. She is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, a Fellow of the American College of Psychiatrists, and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
She has received awards for her contributions both locally and nationally. Dr. Perlmutter was included in Castle Connolly’s “America’s Top Doctors” list from 2006-2011 and 2017, as well as “Best Doctors in America” from 2009-2012. She is also a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, D.C.
Conditions we treat
Anxiety: Fears and worries are common in young children, but when your child doesn’t outgrow these fears and it begins to affect their behavior at school, at home, or with friends, they may have an anxiety disorder. Common
symptoms of anxiety disorders include:
- Physical symptoms like stomach aches or headaches
- Behavioral symptoms like refusal to engage in activities, social isolation, a disproportionate attachment to their caretaker, or perfectionism (for example, an extreme reaction to a bad grade or getting disciplined)
- Angry outbursts or meltdowns
Depression: Occasional sadness is a normal part of every child’s life, but if your child is experiencing persistent hopelessness and/or a lack of interest in things they once enjoyed, they may be experiencing depression. It's important to note that some children with depression will not seem “sad” at all; they may seem angry, defiant, or experience episodes of “acting out.”
Other
signs and symptoms include:
- Feeling sad or hopeless all/much of the time
- Sleeping more or less than normal
- Not wanting to participate in fun activities
- Changes in energy: acting sluggish or tired, or tense and restless
- Self-injury or self-destructive behavior
- Declining grades
Insomnia: Sleep can be a challenge for all children, and
research shows that sleep problems can have adverse effects on daytime functioning. Signs that your child’s insomnia might require the attention of psychiatrist include:
- Feeling sad or having difficulty falling asleep independently and staying asleep all/much of the time
- Frequent nightmares or night terrors
- Sleepwalking
- Sleep paralysis
- Daytime symptoms, including fatigue, difficulty concentrating, problems with social or academic performance, poor impulse control and moodiness
- Staying up late messaging friends or watching videos
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Most of the time, children recover well from stressful events, however exposure to repeated or extreme trauma can have long-term effects.
Signs of PTSD in children include:
- Avoidance of/fear around situations that remind your child of their trauma
- Nightmares or sleep problems
- Reliving the trauma over and over
- Irritability or outbursts
- Lack of positive emotions
- Intense ongoing fear or sadness
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD):
ADHD symptoms typically appear before age 12; sometimes they are even present in children as young as 3. Often, teachers are the first to notice these symptoms, as they can show up as behavioral issues in the classroom. It’s important to note that both boys and girls can be affected, and ADHD can present in several ways, including hyperactivity or inattention. Symptoms include:
- Having trouble focusing on tasks, making careless mistakes
- Appearing not to listen when spoken to; easily distracted
- Difficulty following through on tasks or chores
- Constant fidgeting or squirming
- Talking too much in class or blurting out answers to questions
- Running or climbing in situations where it’s not appropriate; constantly in motion
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): All children experience bothersome thoughts, but if those thoughts begin to interfere with their daily lives or prompt them to engage in compulsive behaviors, they might be suffering from OCD.
Symptoms include:
- Unwanted thoughts that cause excess distress or anxiety
- Saying or doing something over and over: For example, counting aloud, repeating words, hand washing, placing things in a specific order, checking the same things over and over, like a door lock
- Superstitious beliefs
Other conditions
Bipolar disorder: Most likely, a child with bipolar disorder will not be treated at Talkiatry. This
condition, involving extreme shifts in mood and energy levels, is rare in children and adolescents. Shifts are much more severe than everyday mood swings, and can include bouts of mania (extreme euphoria, irritability, or restlessness) and depression (extreme sadness or hopelessness). Although our team of psychiatrists can offer this diagnosis, generally, in-person care is recommended for the treatment of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents.
Substance use: Drug use in children may start as young as ages 12-14. Some early signs include:
- Frequent change of friends
- Defensiveness or anger
- Withdrawing from usual family activities or routines
- Decrease in communication
- Breaking curfew
- Slipping grades at school or skipping classes
- Depression
- Mood instability
- Apathy
- Asking for or stealing money
Ages we treat
At Talkiatry, we treat patients aged 5 and up.
Treatment approaches
Our child and adolescent psychiatrists will diagnose and offer treatment for your child in a safe, online clinical space. Together with you and your child, they will help develop a management plan that everyone is comfortable with, and will monitor your child to make any necessary adjustments.
If talk therapy is also recommended, your Talkiatry psychiatrist will refer your child to a therapist who can meet with them on an ongoing basis. Your child’s psychiatrist can also offer referrals for any other specialists your child might need.
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