The Shortage of Mental Health Specialist for Children

The HealthDay News, reported on Friday, January 21 that teens experiencing severe mental disorders are not receiving treatment for their mental problems.

According to research, from a sample of 6,483 teens, age 13 to 18, only 36.2 percent received treatment for their mental health disorder.

Study author Kathleen Ries Merikangas, of the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health, and colleagues found that the disorders most likely to be treated are attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and behavior disorder, such as oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder.

Research also shows only one in five adolescents received mental health treatment for problems such as anxiety, eating disorders and substance abuse.

As research also shows that there is a national shortage of mental health specialist for children, parents who are at loss with the behaviors of their teens can find help at Inspirations for Youth and Families. Inspirations is a highly specialized treatment center, providing treatment for adolescents who are demonstrating a pattern of negative, defiant and disobedient behavior (Oppositional Defiant Disorder -ODD), Conduct Disorder and other self destructive behaviors such as substance abuse.

For most parents and professionals, it is comforting to have a point at which teen problematic behavior can be identified or diagnosed. For most people, this denotes the beginning of the search to find a solution and an understanding of the behavior. For insurance companies and subsequently, mental health professionals and medical doctors, a diagnosis is necessary to establish a basis for which insurance payment for treatment or therapeutic services can be granted. Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and Conduct Disorder, are commonly diagnosed disorders for teenage behavioral problems. There are other disorders associated with behavioral issues such as Adjustment Disorders, Mood Disorders, and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD).

A diagnosis is not the only source or beginning point for which teens, parents, and professionals begin to work toward a solution. Therapeutic approaches such as Solution Focused Therapy, Brief Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Psychotherapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (to name a few), are also the first steps towards solutions and healing for everyone involved.

Reach out to us. For more information on complete treatment programs for Adolescents:
Inspirations for Youth and FamiliesAddiction Treatment for Teens:
1-888-757-6237
http://www.inspirationsyouth.com/
http://www.inspirationsteenrehab.com/

Cove Center for Recovery Addiction Treatment for Young Adults and Adults :
1-888-387-6237
http://www.covecenterforrecovery.com/