When you're a parent, it's important for you to carefully monitor your child's health — including his or her mental health. One thing to look for is to see how calm your child is. Some children are nervous or agitated a significant amount of the time, which can lead to a variety of problems. For example, a child who is nervous may experience anxiety about entering new environments, which can make life difficult. Or a child who is nervous may even act inappropriately in school, leading to discipline issues. If you've noticed a pattern of nervousness, it's time to get the child in to see his or her pediatrician. Here are some ways that this physician can help.
Discussion About What's Going On
A child may be resistant to tell you what has made him or her nervous. While some children won't know why they feel this way, others may be aware of a specific traumatic event that shifted their mannerisms. In some cases, you'll be aware of this trauma, but in other cases, the child will have kept it from you. This can especially be true as children age and may be reluctant to talk about certain issues with their parents. Your child's physician can provide a neutral and confidential person with whom your child can speak. In many cases, just getting something off his or her chest can help the child's nerves.
Medication Prescription
Depending on the severity of your child's nervousness and the impact that this issue is having on the child's life, the pediatrician may write a prescription for medication. Various types of prescription medication may be valuable for your child in terms of dulling his or her nervousness symptoms and allowing the child to lead more of a fulfilling life without these issues getting in the way.
Lifestyle Recommendations
Many pediatricians will also advocate some useful lifestyle changes that your child, with your help, can employ at home. This list can be broad. For example, the pediatrician may recommend that your child avoids watching suspenseful or violent movies or TV shows, as well as stays away from video games with the same sorts of themes. Some pediatricians may even recommend dietary changes, including a reduction in the child's sugar intake. Sugar can excite children, even in small doses, and a child who is excited may get nervous quickly. The pediatrician may also advocate the use of exercise as a way to promote better emotional health.
Contact an office, like Ada Pediatrics PA, for more help.
