Anxiety in Tweens and Teens

Navigating the tumultuous waters of puberty can be a challenging and anxiety-inducing journey for tweens. The profound physical and hormonal changes, coupled with an intensified desire for social acceptance, can create a perfect storm of stress and anxiety. If your middle-schooler appears distressed or unusually unhappy, it's crucial to recognize the signs of anxiety they may be experiencing.

1. Complaining of Illness: Anxiety in tweens can manifest as physical complaints. They may frequently complain of headaches, stomachaches, or other vague ailments as an expression of their emotional distress.

2. Withdrawing: Tweens grappling with anxiety might withdraw from social activities, preferring solitude over interaction. This withdrawal can be an attempt to manage their overwhelming feelings in a more controlled environment.

3. Moodiness: Anxiety often contributes to mood swings and heightened emotional sensitivity. If your tween seems unusually moody or irritable, it could be an indication of underlying anxiety.

4. Low Self-Esteem: Anxiety can erode a tween's confidence and self-worth. If you notice signs of diminished self-esteem or self-doubt, it's essential to address these emotional challenges.

5. Constant Fear of Embarrassment: The fear of embarrassment or social judgment can be a prevalent theme in tween anxiety. They may become overly concerned about how they are perceived by their peers, leading to heightened stress levels.

It's imperative for parents to stay attuned to these signs and, when in doubt, seek professional guidance. If you suspect your tween is grappling with anxiety symptoms, contacting Dr. Isetta for a phone consultation can be the first step in addressing their mental well-being. Early intervention and open communication are key to supporting tweens through this challenging phase of development.

Children and Teens with ADHD

Almost all children have times when their behavior veers out of control. They may speed about in constant motion, make noise nonstop, refuse to wait their turn, and crash into everything around them. At other times they may drift as if in a daydream, unable to pay attention or finish what they start. 

However, for some children, these kinds of behaviors are more than an occasional problem. Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have behavior problems that are so frequent and severe that they interfere with their ability to live normal lives.  

These children often have trouble getting along with siblings and other children at school, at home, and in other settings. Those who have trouble paying attention usually have trouble learning. An impulsive nature may put them in actual physical danger. Because children with ADHD have difficulty controlling this behavior, they may be labeled “bad kids” or “lazy.” 

Left untreated, ADHD in some children will continue to cause serious, lifelong problems, such as poor grades in school, run-ins with the law, failed relationships, and the inability to keep a job. 

If your child has ADHD, getting help and creating a long-term treatment plan will help your child lead a happy and healthy life. 

What Is ADHD?

ADHD is a condition of the brain that makes it difficult for children to control their behavior. It is one of the most common chronic conditions of childhood. It affects 4% to 12% of school-aged children. ADHD is diagnosed in about 3 times more boys than girls.  

What are the Symptoms and Types Of ADHD?

ADHD includes 3 groups of behavior symptoms: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Not all children with ADHD have all the symptoms. They may have one or more of the symptom groups listed below. 

The symptoms usually are classified as the following types of ADHD: 

• Inattentive only (formerly known as attention-deficit disorder [ADD])—Children with this form of ADHD are not overly active. Because they do not disrupt the classroom or other activities, their symptoms may not be noticed. Among girls with ADHD, this form is more common.

• Hyperactive/impulsive—Children with this type of ADHD show both hyperactive and impulsive behavior, but they can pay attention. They are the least common group and are frequently younger.

• Combined inattentive/hyperactive/impulsive—Children with this type of ADHD show a number of symptoms in all 3 dimensions. It is the type that most people think of when they think of ADHD.

How Can I Tell If My Child Has ADHD?

Remember, it is normal for all children to show some of these symptoms from time to time. Your child may be reacting to stress at school or home. She may be bored or going through a difficult stage of life. It does not mean she has ADHD. 

Sometimes a teacher is the first to notice inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity and bring these symptoms to the parents' attention.  

Perhaps questions from your pediatrician raised the issue. At routine visits, pediatricians often ask questions such as: 

• How is your child doing in school?

• Are there any problems with learning that you or your child's teachers have seen?

• Is your child happy in school?

• Is your child having problems completing class work or homework?

• Are you concerned with any behavior problems in school, at home, or when your child is playing with friends?

Your answers to these questions may lead to further evaluation for ADHD. 

If your child has shown symptoms of ADHD on a regular basis for more than 6 months, discuss this with your pediatrician or a professional.  

FAQs

Whom do you treat?

I provide individual and family psychological therapy to children, adolescents and adults who are seeking positive changes in their lives.

What is your experience and how long have you been practicing therapy?

I received my pre and postdoctoral training from 2001-2004 and was licensed in 2006. I have been in private practice since 2008.  I supervise and train psychology graduate level trainees and marriage and family interns.  In 2008, I started a private practice in Beverly Hills, California and in 2013 moved my private practice to Hermosa Beach, California.  For more information about my training experience, please view my About Me page.   

How are you licensed?  What are your training credentials?

I received my Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree at the California School of Professional Psychology - Los Angeles, a graduate program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).  I am certified by the California Board of Psychology to independently practice psychology in the state of California.  The certification process included possession of a doctorate degree from an accredited university, completion of a minimum of 3,000 hours of supervised professional experience, and a passing score with a national written examination and a California examination.  I am also required to complete 36 hours of approved continuing education every two years. 

How would you describe your treatment style?

My treatment style is solution focused and create an individualized treatment plan for each case I see.  I don't believe each client is the same but rather that each person has a unique history, experience and positive response to the right strategies for them.  I believe a safe and therapeutic environment be in place to help my client reach positive change.    

How long is each therapy session?

In general, I meet with clients weekly for 50 minutes per therapy session.  We may determine based on your treatment plan, that fewer or more sessions are best.       

What form of payment do you accept?

I accept cash, personal checks and credit card for forms of payment paid in full at time of session.  

I am an out of network provider for insurance carriers.  It is your responsibility to obtain coverage and benefit information from your insurance.  You are responsible for the full payment and I will provide you with a statement at the end of the month to submit to your insurance for reimbursement.  The following is a suggestion of questions to help navigate your insurance questions:

·       What is my out-of-network provider coverage for mental health?

·       Do I have a deductible and has it been met?  Or what is the co-pay per session?

·       Are there limits on the amount of sessions throughout the year?

·       Do I need to get an authorization for mental health services?

If you have specific questions about the Affordable Care Act effective January 2014, please visit Covered California strategies.coveredca.com.

How do I get started?

I offer a free 15 minute consultation over the phone to determine if we might work well together.  Please call (310) 980-7352 and leave your name, phone number, and good times to reach you.  Prior to making contact, you may want to browse my website for information about my services, fees, and office policies.  In addition, if you are planning to use insurance, please contact your insurance carrier to determine if I am in or out-of-network.

If we determine that I can be helpful to you, we will schedule an initial meeting.  During the initial session, which may be 1 to 3 meetings, we will discuss issues you hope to work on in therapy and gather relevant information that will be helpful in developing a comprehensive assessment.  After the initial meeting, we will identify your goals and an appropriate action plan. If after the initial meeting, you or I feel that I and/or my services are not the best fit for your needs, I will make every effort to help you find an appropriate referral.  Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you!