Month: <span>September 2016</span>

problems paying attention in school - ADHD or Anxiety?
Anxiety School • • • By Jeffrey LaPonsie 0 Comments

Problems paying attention in school – Is it ADHD or Anxiety?

Your child is having problems paying attention in school.  The teachers are concerned because your child doesn’t seem to be able to focus in class.   He seems to need to have instructions read to him multiple times.  Your child’s school just has you on speed dial about his level of activity. The school talks about how impulsive or active he is.  He blows up over minor problems and its getting in the way of making friends, or doing well in class.  By now a couple of people in your child’s life have talked to you about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).  When children have ADHD their difficulty attending is due to a neurological condition.

Some children who have problems paying attention in school have Attention Deficit Hyper Activity Disorder:

ADHD is a common neurological condition in children which impacts their ability to attend or focus. The overlap between anxiety and ADHD symptoms is often overlooked.  Anxiety symptoms are often mistaken for signs of ADHD—this is especially true in young, elementary age boys.  While the inability to concentrate or sit still may at first look appear to be ADHD, the question of why your child cannot attend is important.

ADHD or Anxiety – Why children have Problems paying attention in School?

The root of your child’s inability to attend is one of the most important questions parents, families, and teachers can ask—why is my child having problems paying attention in school? Concentration problems that stem from anxiety are rooted in emotion.  Children with anxiety are preoccupied by worry or are busy anticipating what is coming next.  These children’s preoccupation with the future or what could happen is not compatible with what is happening right now—kids who are worrying have trouble concentrating or listening.

Symptoms of inattention, distraction, fidgetiness and what appears to be boredom may actually be signs of anxiety.

Helping children who have problems paying attention in school

The help and support that children with anxiety need as opposed to children with ADHD is different.  Counseling for children with anxiety often involves evaluating anxious thoughts, helping kids feel safe, and avoiding reinforcing avoidance or providing reassurance which reinforces anxious thoughts or avoidant behavior.

It can be incredibly difficult to tell when children who are having trouble concentrating at school are suffering from anxiety or ADHD.  When parents and teachers are uncertain mental health professionals can assist in parsing the two apart, or knowing when both mental health problems may be coming in play with challenging children in the class room.

 

jeff laponsie LMSW kalamazoo

 

 

 

 

Jeff LaPonsie LMSW

Jeff LaPonsie is a clinical social worker at Kalamazoo Child and Family Counseling, PLLC. He provides counseling to children and families in the Kalamazoo, Portage, South West Michigan area. He is passionate about helping challenging children and frustrated parents. Jeff has over seven years of experience working with at risk youth. His clinical expertise includes working with children with behavioral, anxiety, attachment and trauma related disorders.

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Depression • • By Jeffrey LaPonsie 0 Comments

Depressed Teen – How can parents help?

Five Ways Parents can help their depressed teen

Depressed teens often go unnoticed, their suffering masked by our perception of how teens are just moody. Depression left untreated can be dangerous. Teenagers are at particularly high risk for depression. Depression in teens is one of the most common mental health problems they encounter. It can be difficult to tell if a teenager is depressed, or if he or she is just struggling with common ‘growing pains.’ Parents know their teenagers better than anyone else. It’s important for parents to trust their gut when it comes to talking to, and asking teenagers about depression. Here are five ways that parents can help a depressed teen.

Parents can help their depressed teen by: Checking in with them

It’s important for parents to trust their gut and ask their teen about how they’re feeling. Just as important, when parents ask they need to be ready to listen. It can be difficult not minimize or justify how a teenager is feeling, especially when parents just want to ‘make it better.’ Also not rushing in with solutions helps teenagers know they can talk to their parents about anything and they’re not wrong or stupid for feeling a certain way. Finally, talking to your teenager about their feelings lets depressed teenagers know that their parents are there for them.

Parents can help their depressed teen by: Helping them stay active

Exercise has for a long time been related to mental health benefits. Getting depressed teenagers moving is a critical piece of helping them recover. Teenagers should get at least an hour of physical activity a day. Keeping teens active in sports, after school clubs like art or choir also keeps them socially engage which helps combat isolation. Leveraging teens’ interests in music, art, or sports can make keeping depressed teens active somewhat easier.

Parents can help their depressed teen by: Promoting good sleep

Adolescents whose parents set earlier bedtimes (like 10PM or earlier) are at significantly lower risk for depression. In one study teens who went to bed at midnight or later were 24% more likely to be depressed, and have thoughts of suicide. Parents can help teens get better sleep by enforcing bedtime, eliminating electronics, and screen-time in the bedroom, and monitoring their caffeine and sugar before bed.

Parents can help their depressed teen by: Taking care of themselves

The stress of helping your teen through their depression can be exhausting. Its important for parents to have the energy to engage their teens about how they’re feeling, helping motivate them to stay busy and active, and also be consistent about helping them keep their good sleep habits. Parents need to take care of themselves in order to help take good care of their kids.

Parents can help their depressed teen by: Knowing when to get professional help

Support and healthy lifestyle changes aren’t always enough to help depressed teens. It’s good for parents to know when to seek out professional help. Common professional intervention involves mental health counseling or psychotherapy—like cognitive behavioral therapy, and sometimes also includes medication. The discussion of reaching for professional help should involve your teen.

jeff laponsie LMSW kalamazoo

Jeff LaPonsie LMSW

Jeff LaPonsie is a clinical social worker at Kalamazoo Child and Family Counseling, PLLC. He provides counseling to children and families in the Kalamazoo, Portage, South West Michigan area. He is passionate about helping challenging children and frustrated parents. Jeff has over seven years of experience working with at risk youth. His clinical expertise includes working with children with behavioral, anxiety, attachment and trauma related disorders.

Read more