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 In this episode, we dive deep into the topic of CANNABIS and its impact on the developing teen brain and MENTAL HEALTH. 

Dr. Fallucco discusses the latest research on THC and CBD, revealing how modern cannabis has become significantly more potent. Learn about the risks associated with adolescent cannabis use, such as impaired prefrontal cortex development, increased anxiety risk, and associations with psychosis. Dr. Fallucco also offers practical tips for clinicians on how to counsel teens and their families about cannabis use and harm reduction strategies. Don’t miss out on these valuable insights to better support your pediatric patients.

00:00 Introduction to Child Mental Health Podcast

00:39 Understanding Cannabis: THC and CBD

02:28 Cannabis Use Among Adolescents

03:36 Impact of Cannabis on the Teen Brain

05:29 Mental Health Risks: Anxiety and Psychosis

07:39 Practical Advice for Clinicians

08:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Dr. Elise Fallucco welcomes Laurina, a pediatric nurse practitioner and mom of four. Laurina shares her experience parenting her teenage daughter, Beth, who has ADHD and anxiety. The discussion covers Beth's initial symptoms, her treatment journey and the discovery of Beth's premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Laurina offers insights on tracking symptoms and treatment options, providing valuable advice for clinicians and parents alike. Tune in to learn about managing ADHD, anxiety, and hormonal changes in teenage girls.

00:00 Introduction WHAT TO EXPECT and Guest Welcome

01:13 Lorena's Clinical Background

02:10 Recognizing ADHD and Anxiety in Beth

04:55 Medication for ADHD and ANXIETY

07:36 ADHD and Anxiety PLUS HORMONAL CHANGES

14:20 DEPRESSION or PMDD?

19:00 Beth's Transformation and Creative Talents

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On this MYSTERY CASE episode of Child Mental Health for Pediatric Clinicians, Dr. Elise Fallucco dives into the case of a 12-year-old girl with ADHD whose symptoms are "on again, off again".  Join us to work through a differential diagnosis, discover the history, and most importantly learn about HOW TO HELP!   Let's unlock the mystery together!

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:26 Presenting the Mystery Case

01:13 Exploring Possible Causes

01:56 Investigating the On-Off Pattern

03:51 Discovering the Pattern

05:32 How Hormones Help and Hijack the Brain

09:27 Estrogen and ADHD Symptoms

11:22 Clinical Implications and Recommendations

13:41 Conclusion and Future Research

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Did you know that teen suicide attempts PEAK in October?  In this episode, we share why October is so stressful for US teens, what YOU can do in your office to identify and help teens with suicidal thoughts.  FInally, we share THREE THINGS we wish everyone knew to reduce suicide risk in teens! 

00:00 Introduction and World Mental Health Day

01:07 The October Suicide Peak

02:20 Factors Contributing to October's Suicide Risk

04:39 Identifying At-Risk Groups

05:44 Strategies for Clinicians to Help

09:46 The Importance of Sleep

11:02 Building Positive Coping Skills

13:51 Nutritional Considerations

14:38 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Join us as we talk about challenging child behaviors! We'll explore why these behaviors can be developmentally typical and introduce the selective attention strategy for handling them. Learn key techniques such as specific praise, time ins, and the stoplight approach to help parents manage green, yellow, and red behaviors. Additionally, discover important clinical questions to determine when children might need further evaluation and treatment. Join us for practical insights to support both parents and children through difficult behaviors.

00:00 Introduction to Challenging Child Behaviors

00:42 Understanding Challenging Behaviors

01:44 Reframing Behavioral Issues

03:26 Practical Strategies for Parents

04:00 Selective Attention Technique

05:15 Categorizing Behaviors: The Stoplight Approach

06:43 Reinforcing Positive Behaviors - GREEN

12:26 Managing Annoying but Safe Behaviors - YELLOW

15:35 Handling Unsafe Behaviors -RED

18:01 When to Seek Further Evaluation

19:03 Summary and Conclusion

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What do parents wish *all* clinicians knew about raising kids with ADHD? How can we ask more effective questions to learn about how ADHD symptoms are affecting a child's life at home and at school? We answer these questions and more in Part 3 of Child Mental Health talks w/ Parents about ADHD with Ashley and Lauren!

00:00 Advice for Parents and Clinicians

01:12 Advice for Clinicians from Ashley

05:17 The Importance of Community and Support

05:17 Navigating ADHD as a Parent

08:58 Advice for Parents and Clinicians

10:10 Encouragement for Parents to Seek Diagnosis and Treatment

10:10 The Role of Medication in ADHD Treatment

13:08 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Dr. Elise Fallucco talks with parents and neurodiversity advocates Ashley and Lauren about the concept of 'masking' symptoms in ADHD. They discuss how children, especially girls, consciously or unconsciously camouflage their ADHD symptoms to fit into social norms, and the emotional toll it takes. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, Ashley and Lauren reveal how they identified masking in their children and the impact it has on their emotional well-being and self-esteem. The episode emphasizes the importance of recognizing strengths and the therapeutic value of a diagnosis.

00:00 Talk with Parents about Masking of symptoms in ADHD

01:25 Masking Symptoms of ADHD

02:58 Noticing Behavioral Differences at Home and School

04:39 Masking Symptoms at School

06:51 Challenges in Diagnosing ADHD

09:43 Personal Experiences with ADHD

10:51 Struggles with ADHD and Masking

12:01 Understanding Executive Functioning Challenges

12:49 The Importance of Diagnosis and Labels

13:44 ADHD Superpowers in Children

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Understanding ADHD from a Parent's Perspective

In This episode of Child Mental Health for Pediatric Clinicians, we begin a new series, 'Child Mental Health Talks with Parents,' featuring advocates Ashley and Lauren, who share their experiences raising children with ADHD. They discuss the creation of a Mental Health and Neurodiversity PTA committee, early signs of ADHD in their children, and practical insights for clinicians. Listen in to understand how morning routines and psychoeducational testing can aid in assessing ADHD, and stay tuned for more on masking and self-esteem in the next episode.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:33 Starting the Mental Health and Neurodiversity PTA Committee

03:40 Recognizing ADHD in Children

05:25 Executive Function Challenges

09:28 Gender Differences in ADHD

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In this episode, Dr. Fallucco dives into the nuances of ADHD in girls, explaining  why it is so important to recognize girls with ADHD, how girls with ADHD present with different symptoms than boys, and why girls often go undiagnosed. 

She highlights the importance of early recognition and treatment to reduce risks like suicide, drug abuse, accidents, and social struggles. Dr. Fallucco also discusses the subtle inattentive symptoms in girls, genetic risk factors, and ADHD 'superpowers' such as hyperfocus and creativity. 

Tune in to learn why it's crucial for clinicians to identify and treat ADHD early, especially in girls, to help them thrive academically, socially, and in life.

00:00 Introduction to ADHD in Girls

00:49 Why ADHD in Girls Matters

02:35 Challenges in Diagnosing Girls

03:19 Importance of Treatment

04:31 Recognizing ADHD in Girls

04:39 ADHD Subtypes and Gender Differences

04:54 Subtle Symptoms in Girls

06:25 Hyperactivity and Impulsivity in Girls vs. Boys

08:38 Which KIDS you should worry about who may have unrecognized ADHD

13:27 ADHD Superpowers

15:58 Final Thoughts and Pearls

17:17 Conclusion and Contact Information

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Do you have patients with severe ADHD who are just not getting better?  Did you know that they *might* have undiagnosed bipolar?  

In this episode, Dr. Fallucco and Dr. John Walkup talk about how to distinguish bipolar disorder in children and teens from ADHD. They provide clinical pearls for clinicians and share examples from kids and teens with bipolar.  

Some Key differences between ADHD and BIPOLAR highlighted include :

- the nature of relationships in ADHD vs. BIPOLAR

• Kids w/ ADHD tend to be fun, likable while kids with BIPOLAR have more serious problems in relationships, including with their own parents

-  extreme impulsivity

• Kids and teens with Bipolar have more extreme, intense impulsive aggression and emotional reactions

** Early identification and consultation with psychiatry is key to helping support these kids and families best.**

Check out our website PsychEd4Peds.com for more resources.
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