Case Presentation: Your 11 year old male patient with Autism level 2 without intellectual or verbal impairment and Generalized Anxiety Disorder is not tolerating sertraline well (resulting in weight gain and akathisia) with minimal positive effect. Primary concerning symptoms include: agitation, quick to anger, and difficulty with changes in routine. He previously did not tolerate […]
Author Archive: Shirley Fett
Evaluation & Treatment of Insomnia in Youth 12/4/24
As a child’s brain develops, their sleep patterns also undergo significant changes. Sleep is regulated by the circadian rhythm, which controls cycles of sleep and wakefulness. Both the architecture of sleep and the amount of sleep needed vary throughout development. Infants typically need 14-17 hours, school-aged children need 9-12 hours, and teenagers need 8-10 hours […]
Psychological First Aid 11/20/24
As primary care and mental health professionals, we are aware that we could be called on as part of an initial response team for a disaster or mass trauma. Psychological First Aid is a modular framework to help reduce emotional distress in the immediate aftermath of disasters, mass violence and other crises. Background We know […]
Seasonal Affective Disorder 11/6/24
Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as Major Depressive Disorder with Seasonal Pattern, is a form of depression that consistently occurs during certain months of the year. It can present during either winter or summer, but it more commonly occurs in the colder months when there are fewer daylight hours. While distance from the equator is […]
The Importance of Parent Participation in Autism Intervention 10/23/24
As the prevalence of autism continues to increase, 1 in 22 children in California, it is vital that we as providers better understand how to tailor interventions to best meet the needs of our autistic youth and their families. There are many different types of interventions for autism with different areas of focus and different […]
Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS) 10/9/2024
Antipsychotic medications are used to treat a wide array of mental health conditions including mood disorders and psychotic disorders. Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), or drug-induced movement disorders, are common adverse side effects of antipsychotic medications. EPS are important to recognize and address as they can cause patients significant distress and impairment and lead to self-discontinuation of […]
Utilizing the Stages of Change in Adolescent Substance Use: A Clinical Perspective 9/25/24
Adolescent substance use is a multifaceted public health issue that poses significant challenges to clinicians, including physicians and counselors. The complexity of this issue is heightened by the developmental stage of adolescence, a period characterized by experimentation, identity formation, and risk-taking behaviors. The Transtheoretical Model (TTM), also known as the Stages of Change model, provides […]
Motivational Interviewing in Adolescent Substance Use: A Review for PCPs and Counselors 9/11/24
Adolescent substance use is a pervasive issue, with significant implications for public health. Adolescence, a critical period of development, is marked by experimentation and risk-taking, often manifesting in the initiation of substance use. The importance of early intervention in this population cannot be overstated, given the potential for substance use disorders (SUDs) to disrupt healthy […]
Managing School Refusal 8/28/24
Families often present to their primary care providers when their children are refusing to go to school. School refusal can happen for a variety of reasons. The phenomenon has increased significantly since the pandemic. Many children who are refusing to go to school have an underlying mental health concern. The most common mental health concerns […]
BULLYING 8/14/24
For many children, the anxiety of a new school year is not just one of nervous excitement about a new year beginning. For many it may be a youth’s severe concern of about the risk of victimization as a result of peer bullying. Awareness of the potential that a youth may be experiencing bullying should be part […]