Benefits of Working With A Teenage Psychiatrist
BasePoint Academy offers expert Teen-Specific Interventions In Dallas, TX
Teen Psychology vs. Psychiatry: What’s The Difference?
Medical studies and statistics reveal that 14% of all teenagers (ages 10 to 19) experience some form of mental health disorder. The most common are depression and anxiety but include behavioral disorders.[1]
Perhaps more troubling is the data that suicide is one of the top leading causes of death among teens and young adults (ages 15-29). In recent years, another study reported that most teens believed that anxiety, depression (70%), and substance use (51%) were major problems among their peers.[2]
We’re stepping into the gap between suffering and healing to meet the needs of teens and families. Through a multidisciplinary approach blending counseling, medication management, and psychiatry services, we hope to see more teens healing and happy.
Working closely with parents, school counselors, and pediatricians, we’ve developed our signature program for developing resiliency and building healthy habits unique to each patient. If your teen is struggling with mental health or behavioral disorders, we’re here to help.
How Can A Teenage Psychiatrist Help?
A teen psychiatrist is equipped to identify and address the unique needs and challenges teens face on a daily basis. As their bodies undergo rapid changes, so do their minds. Changing how they function and behave and altering their perception of life.
At BasePoint Academy, our teen behavioral health providers aim to promote the well-being of the patient from the inside out. Through the implementation of testing, evaluation, medication, and therapy interventions, we are able to take a unique approach to every patient.
Guided by our Chief Clinical Officer (LPC) and our Chief Medical Officer (MD, double board certified in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry as well as Adult Psychiatry), our team of clinicians, LCSWs, physicians, and LMSWs will effectively address each patient’s needs. Our signature approach to developing coping skills and building resiliency establishes a solid foundation for healing and growth.
What Can A Teen Psychiatrist Treat?
Mood disorders, including major depression and bipolar disorder, are prevalent among teens. According to the CDC, 3 out of 5 teenage girls experience chronic sadness and feel hopeless, which are strong indicators of depression.[3]
Psychiatrist Vs. Psychologist:
What’s The Difference?
A psychiatrist is a trained and qualified medical physician who is legally allowed to prescribe medication. A psychologist focuses solely on mental health and behavioral solutions.
Psychiatrist Vs. Teen Therapist:
What’s The Difference?
A therapist is a licensed counselor or mental health professional and, in some cases, a psychologist who employs various forms of talk therapy to treat mental health and behavioral disorders. A therapist is a highly beneficial support person in your teen’s recovery but cannot prescribe medication.
When Does Your Teen Need To See A Teenage Psychiatrist?
It can be difficult to determine what is socially acceptable but moderately disruptive teen behavior and what may indicate something more serious. As a parent, your role is to train and protect your teenager, yet some concerns may be outside the scope of your experience.
You are not alone. Many of our families face similar circumstances and seek help from a reliable source like BasePoint Academy. It is our goal to equip both teams and parents to safely navigate behavioral and mental health disorders and build a healthier life. My number of signs to look for that may indicate your team with benefit from seeing a team psychiatrist.
- Preoccupation with suicide, death, or self-harm
- Difficulty managing emotions (anger, fear, etc.)
- Recent traumatic experience
- Unexplained moodiness
- Appearance of despair
- Substance or alcohol use
What Does Treatment Look Like?
Admissions
With our qualified and experienced admissions personnel is the first step to beginning treatment. We will learn more about your family and your teen to better understand their treatment needs and verify insurance coverage.
Assessments
After the admissions process, the patient will undergo a detailed and comprehensive assessment process to design the best course for treatment. This may include ab testing, neuroimaging studies, psych evaluations, and medical history assessments.
Outpatient Treatment Programs
After a detailed assessment has been completed, patients are admitted into Outpatient Treatment programs based on their individualized treatment plan. Interventions include crisis stabilization, medication management, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes.
Therapy Interventions
BasePoint Academy employs only industry-leading, evidence-based, and teen-specific treatments for mental health and behavioral disorders. This includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Mindfulness and Systems Therapy, family therapy, group therapy, and experiential therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teenage Psychiatry
Our teen therapists, counselors, and clinicians are driven by a passion for positive outcomes and patient success. At BasePoint Academy, our teen psychiatrists are committed to being a resource for families and developing a collaborative partnership to pursue healing. During your appointments, they will employ active listening and compassion and provide guidance and treatment for addressing mental health challenges.
Teens will learn more about how and why certain processes and behaviors are present and develop practical coping skills to manage their emotions and behaviors. A psychiatrist may also prescribe medications that assist with symptom management and promote an improved quality of life.
If your teen is suffering from depression, they may exhibit the following signs or symptoms: [4]
- Sadness and irritability
- Excessive guilt
- Withdrawal from friends or hobbies
- Sleep changes
- Changes in appetite or eating habits
- Difficulty concentrating
- Extreme sensitivity
- Agitation
- Substance use
- Poor performance
- Lack of personal hygiene
- Outbursts
- Self-harm
- Suicidal ideations or attempts
Don't Wait For The Signs To Escalate.
Seek Treatment Today.
Sources
[1]World Health Organization. (n.d.). Mental health of adolescents. World Health Organization. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health on July 11, 2023
[2]Horowitz, J. M. (2019, February 20). Most U.S. teens see anxiety and depression as a major problem among their peers. Pew Research Center’s Social & Demographic Trends Project. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2019/02/20/most-u-s-teens-see-anxiety-and-depression-as-a-major-problem-among-their-peers/ on July 11, 2023
[3]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, March 9). CDC report shows concerning increases in sadness and exposure to violence among teen girls and LGBQ+ Youth. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/fact-sheets/healthy-youth/sadness-and-violence-among-teen-girls-and-LGBQ-youth-factsheet.html# on July 11, 2023
[4]Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, August 12). Teen Depression. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/teen-depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20350985 on July 11, 2023
