AltaPointe's child and adolescent psychiatrist weighs in on COVID's impact on children
Parents who wonder if their children are struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic -- plus the coastal region's continued recovery from hurricane damage -- should be aware of the signs and symptoms of distress and also should be aware that there are resources to which they can turn for help.
MOBILE, Ala., Oct. 15, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- "We are seeing evidence of stress in young people during these times of crisis related to COVID-19," said Edgar Finn, M.D., a child and adolescent psychiatrist at AltaPointe Health. "Perhaps most significant has been the loss of structure provided by the school day, coupled with the rather jarring transition to virtual classes, online learning, limitations on contact with peers and authority figures, and chaos related to extracurricular activities which have been under constant revision, subject to cancellation or rescheduling."
Students in Alabama were sent home from schools last spring, where they studied and attended classes online until schools reopened in September. In many systems, they and their parents may choose between attending classes at their schools and attending online from home or combining the two.
Dr. Finn said youths with challenging home lives might be especially vulnerable to the changes in schooling. Parents now have added responsibilities related to child care, may have increased stress associated with lost employment and lower-income, may have dealt with loss themselves due to the pandemic, and may have their own health issues.
"The loss of structure, increased familial stress, and the imposition of a rather chaotic school and social environment can lead to symptoms that may include increased anxiety, moodiness, poor school performance and increases in behavioral difficulties," Dr. Finn said.
Headquartered in Mobile, AltaPointe provides mental health, substance abuse, intellectual disabilities, and primary care services in seven counties, including Mobile, Baldwin, Washington, Clay, Coosa, Randolph, and Talladega. In addition to counseling, day treatment, and hospitalization services for children and adolescents, AltaPointe Health also offers school-based treatment programs to minimize classroom time loss.
As their children adjust to new patterns of education -- and, on the Gulf Coast, as they contend with the ongoing cleanup and recovery from September's Hurricane Sally -- parents should monitor their children for patterns of increased depression or moodiness, increased anxiety, changes in eating or sleeping behaviors, decreased interest in activities which kids once had considered interesting or fun, or a significant drop in school performance.
Most important, Dr. Finn said, parents should watch for thoughts or behaviors suggesting suicidal thinking or self-injurious behavior. "There are ways to lower stress and anxiety levels inherent in these difficult times," he said, suggesting that:
- Recreational activities, even as simple as 20 or 30 minutes of walking, riding a bicycle, or playing basketball, can be beneficial.
- Establishing good sleep hygiene helps children feel better physically and emotionally and also enhances cognitive performance. I often refer parents to sleepfoundation.org, a website affiliated with the National Sleep Foundation, which provides excellent tips for helping children and adolescents get a good night's sleep. It's well-established that children and adolescents had a high rate of sleep problems before the current crises. Judging from our clinical experience since the onset of the COVID crisis, sleep problems are even more prevalent now.
- Avoiding excessive "junk foods" and sodas loaded with sugar and caffeine while maintaining good, healthy nutrition can enhance a well-being feeling.
- Engaging in activities that had been relaxing pre-pandemic -- drawing, painting, playing a musical instrument, etc. -- can help.
- Avoiding a barrage of "bad news" regarding the current pandemic and all the other concurrent stressors surrounding our social and political environment is very important.
Dr. Finn also suggested that parents monitor their children's screen and internet time. "These tools have become essential in education and the workplace and should be a part of the educational curriculum," he said. "However, cell phones and social media can also provide opportunities for unsavory activities such as online bullying and inappropriate messaging. Research indicates that the more time adolescents spend on social media websites, the more likely they are to have difficulty with emotional and behavioral symptoms."
He said the community is fortunate that parents, children, and adolescents can access services through AltaPointe's programs. They can call its Access to Care line at 251-450-2211 or 888-335-3044.
"In the coming months (or even years), as we deal with this 'new normal' of life with COVID-19, I urge families to consider a renewal of their commitment to each other, to connect, and to continue to take care of themselves," Dr. Finn said. "Home-based activities -- cooking together, 'game nights,' 'movie nights' -- are inherently safe and healthy.
Reading to small children, teaching a child how to fish, throwing a baseball outside, making holiday decorations together -- any activities which the family can do together and do safely should be prioritized."
SOURCE AltaPointe Health
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