mental health services Archives

Most children experience emotional highs and lows as they develop. Often, this is part of the natural maturation process, but for some, it can be a sign of a more serious issue that requires professional assistance. Flushing Hospital Medical Center offers the following advice to help parents determine when to seek help.

Parents should understand that children go through the same struggles emotionally as adults, but because of their lack of development, they can have a hard time processing their feelings. By helping your child get through these difficult times, you can help provide them with the coping and problem-solving skills they can put to use in the future.

One of the most important ways we can help children navigate through the tough periods in their lives is to listen to them and validate their experience. Offering them support, sensitivity, and patience can go a long way in making them feel heard and make them more receptive to discussing their emotions in the future.

Sometimes, however, despite a parent’s best attempt, a child may need professional help to address a more serious issue. You should seek help if your child:

Experiences problems in multiple areas of life, such as in school, during leisure activities, or in their relationships with family and friends
Displays repetitive self-destructive behavior such as hair pulling of skin-picking
Exhibits low self-esteem or lacks confidence
Withdraws from activities that they once enjoyed
Has a significant change in sleep habits or appetite
Engages in negative behavior
Talks about any kind of self-harm or suicide

Speak to your pediatrician if you believe your child may require professional help. They can refer you to a qualified mental health professional who can offer an appropriate treatment plan.

To make an appointment with a pediatrician at Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center, please call 718-670-5486.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is a mental condition where an individual consistently displays no regard for right from wrong and is indifferent to the feelings of others.

In some cases, those with ASPD can appear witty, charming, and generally fun to be around, but they may also lie, antagonize, manipulate, or exploit others and not feel guilty about the consequences of their actions. They may also act destructively without regard for the law, or for their safety of the safety of others.

Modern diagnostic systems consider ASPD to include two related but not identical conditions:

A “psychopath” is someone whose hurtful actions toward others tend to reflect calculation, manipulation and cunning; they also tend not to feel emotion and mimic (rather than experience) empathy for others. They can be deceptively charismatic and charming.

By contrast, a “sociopath” has more of an ability to form attachments to others but still disregards social rules; they tend to be more impulsive, haphazard, and easily agitated than people with psychopathy.

People with ASPD may often do the following:

Lie, con, and exploit others
Act rashly
Be angry, vain, and aggressive
Fight or assault other people
Break the law
Not care about the safety of others or themselves
Not show signs of remorse after hurting someone else
Fail to meet money, work, or social duties
Abuse drugs or alcohol

ASPD is uncommon, affecting less than 1% of the population. It affects men more than women. While there is no direct cause of ASPD, genetics is considered a possible factor, as is exposure to a traumatic or abusive atmosphere as a child. Brain defects and injuries during developmental years may also be linked to ASPD.

A diagnosis of ASPD cannot be made until age 18, though to be identified as having the disorder a person would have to have shown symptoms before age 15. Symptoms of ASPD are usually at their worst during a person’s late teenage years and in their 20s, but may improve on their own over time.

Unfortunately, many people with ASPD don’t seek help for the condition because they don’t believe they need assistance, but for those seeking treatment for ASPD, participation in either individual or group therapy has proven to be beneficial. A mental health professional may also prescribe certain psychiatric medications like mood stabilizers or some atypical antipsychotics to treat symptoms like impulsive aggression.

If someone close to you has ASPD, consider seeking help for the disorder from a mental health professional. To make an appointment at the mental health clinic at xx Hospital, please call 718-670-5562.

Tag Archives: mental health services

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