Behavioral health encompasses the emotional, mental and behavioral issues that can be changed through behavior modification. It is the connection between the behavior of a person and his/her overall wellbeing.
Behavioral health focuses on life issues such as daily stress, anger management, depression, marriage and relationship problems, and dealing with a chronic disease. Other issues that can be treated through behavioral health include:
- ADHD
- Behavioral Disorders
- Academic Difficulties
Because behavioral health covers a large spectrum of behaviors, disorders and issues, a broad range of providers and treatments are needed to help facilitate behavior change. Psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, family therapists, counselors and psychiatric nurse specialists work together to formulate and implement a treatment plan.
ADHD
Did you know that 3 to 5 percent of all children are affected by ADHD? Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a psychological term used to describe a disorder associated with hyperactivity, inattentiveness and impulse control problems.
Signs and symptoms of ADHD include:
- Talks too much
- Frequently fidgety and squirmy
- Runs around and climbs excessively
- Won’t stay seated
- Daydreams a lot
- Has difficulty playing quietly and tends to talk excessively
- Blurts out answers and often interrupts others
- Does not wait his or her turn
Boys are 5 to 7 times more likely to have ADHD. Boys with ADHD are more likely to be hyperactive and play and squirm aimlessly, whereas girls with ADHD tend to be inattentive daydreamers. Boys also tend to be more disobedient by not following instructions, so their behavior may be more noticeable and easier to diagnose.
ADHD is diagnosed based upon a complete evaluation that takes into consideration how long the child has been displaying ADHD behaviors, if the behaviors are more severe than other kids the same age and if the behaviors negatively impact school, home, relationships, etc.
For children ages 6 and older, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that treatment includes behavior therapy and medication. For children younger than 6, they recommend behavior therapy as treatment. If your child is being treated for ADHD, he or she needs to be seen by his or her doctor regularly.