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ABCs of Child Psychiatry

Real info about children's mental health

Psychiatry
Don’t Forget About Vital Signs in Psychiatry Visits

David Rettew M.D. on March 11, 2024

Regular checks of vital signs like pulse, blood pressure, and weight are an important component of psychiatric treatment and shouldn’t be overlooked for the sake of convenience.

Regular checks of vital signs like pulse, blood pressure, and weight are an important component of psychiatric treatment and shouldn’t be overlooked for the sake of convenience.

Psychiatry
Our Biggest Mistakes When Debating Mental Health

David Rettew M.D. on February 2, 2024

The media is full of passionate debate on what drives our mental health. To make these conversations more constructive, it’s time to get past some basic and inaccurate assumptions.

The media is full of passionate debate on what drives our mental health. To make these conversations more constructive, it’s time to get past some basic and inaccurate assumptions.

Psychiatry
Behavioral Health or Mental Health? Which Is It?

David Rettew M.D. on November 15, 2023

People refer both to mental health and behavioral health, but it’s not often clear if different meanings are implied. Here is a brief summary of where we are with these two terms.

People refer both to mental health and behavioral health, but it’s not often clear if different meanings are implied. Here is a brief summary of where we are with these two terms.

Psychiatry
The Outsourcing of Mental Healthcare to the Public Sector

David Rettew M.D. on September 27, 2023

More private healthcare companies are unloading mental health care to the public sector for taxpayers to foot the bill. We shouldn’t be responsible for balancing their budgets.

More private healthcare companies are unloading mental health care to the public sector for taxpayers to foot the bill. We shouldn’t be responsible for balancing their budgets.

Law and Crime
The Mental Illness-Violence Link

David Rettew M.D. on August 30, 2023

One often hears that violence is either entirely driven by mental health issues, or not linked at all. The reality is a little more complex.

One often hears that violence is either entirely driven by mental health issues, or not linked at all. The reality is a little more complex.

Child Development
Colic in Infancy May Be More Than Just Gas

David Rettew M.D. on June 7, 2023

Infant colic is just a temporary thing related to GI disturbance, right? New data suggest that some of these infants struggle emotionally down the road.

Infant colic is just a temporary thing related to GI disturbance, right? New data suggest that some of these infants struggle emotionally down the road.

Psychiatry
Top 5 Myths about Psychiatry in 2023

David Rettew M.D. on April 21, 2023

Personal Perspective: Lots of people would like you to think they understand how psychiatry works. Maybe it’s time for an inside view.

Personal Perspective: Lots of people would like you to think they understand how psychiatry works. Maybe it’s time for an inside view.

Trauma
The True Link Between Early Trauma and Adult Mental Health

David Rettew M.D. on February 22, 2023

The role of trauma as a major cause of mental health problems is increasingly emphasized. A new study, however, indicates that this emphasis may be overstated.

The role of trauma as a major cause of mental health problems is increasingly emphasized. A new study, however, indicates that this emphasis may be overstated.

Anxiety
A Parents’ Guide to Pediatric Anxiety Screening

David Rettew M.D. on December 16, 2022

New recommendations call for the screening of anxiety disorders in primary care settings for all youth. Here's what parents can do to make these guidelines really work.

New recommendations call for the screening of anxiety disorders in primary care settings for all youth. Here's what parents can do to make these guidelines really work.

Motivation
Behavioral Incentives Are Not Bribery

David Rettew M.D. on June 23, 2022

External incentives to help motivate children have been getting a bad rap lately, often being referred to as “bribes.” While not perfect, they don’t deserve to be written off.

External incentives to help motivate children have been getting a bad rap lately, often being referred to as “bribes.” While not perfect, they don’t deserve to be written off.

Health
Psychiatric Help: The Doctor Is...Online

David Rettew M.D. on August 25, 2021

Many people are turning to the internet for therapy, but is this a new lifeline for people struggling to access care or just a new money-making scheme?

Many people are turning to the internet for therapy, but is this a new lifeline for people struggling to access care or just a new money-making scheme?

Punishment
Does Spanking Affect the Brain?

David Rettew M.D. on May 7, 2021

New data suggest that the brains of children who were just spanked look similar to those with abuse histories. Unfortunately, limitations of the study may make it easy for some to dismiss.

New data suggest that the brains of children who were just spanked look similar to those with abuse histories. Unfortunately, limitations of the study may make it easy for some to dismiss.

Parenting
Parent Unnaturally? Making Sense of Some Strange Advice

David Rettew M.D. on March 12, 2021

For decades parents have been told that we should parent naturally and instinctively. Here's a case for why sometimes we might want to do exactly the opposite.

For decades parents have been told that we should parent naturally and instinctively. Here's a case for why sometimes we might want to do exactly the opposite.