Dr. Harold Koplewicz discusses rising anxiety in children due to global events like the pandemic. Topics include screen time impact, suicidal ideation, ADHD testing, and parenting strategies for resilience. Also, a review of the film La Chimera by Justin Chang.
Excessive screen time exacerbates mental health disorders in children, necessitating parental monitoring and moderation.
Innovative brain testing initiatives aim to identify unique patterns related to mental health conditions in children.
Deep dives
Impact of External Issues on Children's Mental Health
The COVID lockdown, mass shootings, social media pressure, and environmental concerns are contributing to increased anxiety and depression in children. Traumatic events like 9-11 and ongoing global issues have intensified mental health disorders, leading to higher rates of self-harm and suicide attempts.
Negative Impact of Social Media on Mental Health
From 2010 to 2018, the rise in social media usage intensified mental health challenges for children, with higher rates of suicidal thoughts. Excessive internet usage, particularly over six to eight hours daily, can worsen symptoms of depression and ADHD. Parents should monitor and limit their children's internet use, especially those with mental health disorders.
Biological Testing for Mental Health Disorders
The lack of objective biological tests in psychiatry inspired initiatives like the Healthy Brain Network to evaluate children's brain development. The goal is to identify unique brain patterns related to mental health conditions. Excessive internet use, sleep deprivation, and reduced social interactions can exacerbate symptoms of depression and ADHD.
Understanding and Addressing Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a brain-based disorder affecting alphabet recognition and phonemic awareness, causing challenges in reading. Evidence-based learning methods focusing on phonemes and multi-sensory approaches can aid in early detection and intervention. Parents should support children with dyslexia to prevent impacts on self-esteem and academic success.
A global pandemic, school shootings, climate change, war: Children and teenagers are experiencing and being treated for unprecedented levels of anxiety and depression. We talk with founding president of the Child Mind Institute, Dr. Harold Koplewicz, about screen time, suicidal ideation, and testing for ADHD. His latest book is Scaffold Parenting: Raising Resilient, Self-Reliant, and Secure Kids in an Age of Anxiety.