Mood Disorders in Children and Adolescents
Episode Description
It's not unusual for children to have temper tantrums or for adolescents to be angry. But when they become out of proportion to the situation in intensity and duration, your child might be suffering from a mood disorder. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, Host Tim Unsinn visits with Dr. Megan Spencer, a psychologist at Dakota Family Services. Listen now to learn how to distinguish between normal mood changes and mood disorders, and some steps you can take to help your child.What to Expect
- Learn how mood disorders differ from general changes in mood.
- Identify changes in behavior that might indicate a mood disorder.
- Discover how you can support your child struggling with a mood disorder.
Resources: Learn More
- A Little SPOT of Feelings and Emotions by Diane Alber. Recommended by Dr. Hannah Baczinski, Psychologist, Dakota Family Services. Dr. Baczinski says, "This book series for children goes through a variety of different uncomfortable emotions (e.g., anger, anxiety) in easy-to-understand words and colorful pictures. Each book talks about what can cause each emotion, as well as thoughts and physical sensations related to specific emotions. Each book offers a simple skill to help manage the emotion as well. For example, the anxiety book offers a simple skill of mindfulness and breathing through anxiety using the child’s own hand as a guide. I use these books in therapy with younger children as well as read them to my own kids!"
- Emotions, Feelings, and Moods: What is the Difference?
- National Institute of Mental Health
- Mood Disorder Questionnaire
Things to Think About
- Does your child experience severe and recurrent temper outbursts?
- Are your child's outbursts out of proportion to the event that set them off?
- Has your child experienced a depressed or irritable mood consistently for two weeks or more?
- Is it time to seek help from a therapist or other mental health professional?
About the Guest
Dr. Megan Spencer is a clinical psychologist at Dakota Family Services. She is passionate about working with individuals and their families and highly values the therapeutic relationship. Dr. Spencer enjoys helping people better understand themselves and their psychological functioning. She looks forward to working with anyone who is looking to better understand and/or improve themselves or their children and families. Her practice includes diagnostic and psychological evaluations and individual cognitive behavioral therapy.
Transcript
Mood Disorders in Children and Adolescents
Featuring Dr. Megan Spencer, Psychologist, Dakota Family Services
Host Tim Unsinn (00:00):
Welcome to Mind Your Mind, a podcast presented by Dakota Family Services, an outpatient behavioral health clinic located in Minot, Bismarck, and Fargo, North Dakota. In this podcast, I will talk with our experts about understanding and nurturing our mental health and wellness. I'm your host, Tim Unsinn. Join me each episode as we explore the intricacies of our minds, decrease the stigma of mental illness, learn practical tips for managing our mental health and well-being, and recognize when it's time to ask for help. Join me now to mind your mind.
TU (00:31):
Welcome to this episode of Mind Your Mind. Our guest is Dr. Megan Spencer. Dr. Spencer is a clinical psychologist and provides diagnostic and psychological evaluations, and CBT. Dr. Spencer, it's great to have you on Mind Your Mind. Our topic is mood-related disorders in children and adolescents. However, before we get to the topic, let's talk about why you do what you do. Why is the work that you do important to you?
Dr. Megan Spencer (00:59):
Really it's about people. I love working with people and I truly do enjoy watching the journey of self-discovery and learning what's best for them.
TU (01:10):
I think the topic that we're going to hit today, parents are like yes, yes. Every child has got some kind of mood going on. So anyway, yeah, let's get right to it. Mood-related disorders in children and adolescents. What is a mood disorder versus normal changes in mood?
MS (01:30):
That's a great question. And to be honest, this is something that I do truly talk about on a pretty regular basis with people. And so the really cool thing about being humans is we get to experience emotion. We're supposed to experience sadness and happiness and joy and surprise and fear. Those are all normal. And so that's kind of the normal changes. But truly, the mood disorder is when those changes become more persistent and more intense. And so not necessarily, you know, fluctuating with changes in situations, but truly, being more enduring and more intense than what we would consider more normal fluctuations.
TU (02:16):
All right. So what are the mood-related disorders diagnosed in children and adolescents, knowing that there is a difference?
MS (02:23):
Absolutely. So, you know, there are definitely some disorders across the span that we hear about. But particularly with kiddos and adolescents, one we hear is Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder. And so, kind of a defining characteristic is gonna be really severe and recurrent temper outbursts. And so severe meaning, very intense, right. Kiddos have temper tantrums. That's not unusual. But this is really gonna be out of proportion in intensity and really duration in terms of how long those outbursts last. They can be verbal or behavioral. So, kind of verbal rages or physical aggression, whether that be to people or property. And again, those outbursts not only are out of proportion, but also inconsistent with that developmental level, which we really have to think about in terms of the age of the kiddo and their developmental level. And this is gonna be an outburst quite significant and inconsistent with that developmental level.
TU (03:30):
I would think as a parent, you're able to distinguish between that brief mood change to mood disorder, to that very aggressive or very, you know, prolonged kind of thing.
MS (03:42):
Yes. It's the intensity of it that is really one big piece. And then that duration how long it lasts, past what you would think would be a trigger or a cause of that.
TU (03:54):
So what are some of the causes for that?
MS (03:56):
In terms of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder, causes can be a few different things. You know, in terms of day-to-day, it could be, you know, they're playing a game and the power goes out and so their game shuts down. And, you know, typically a kiddo might get upset. But this kiddo or adolescent kind of gets out of control. They might, you know, start throwing things. They might start yelling and screaming. And they can't necessarily calm in a fairly meaningful way or within a certain amount of time, if that makes sense.
TU (04:37):
Yeah. Not able to handle that short-term stress.
MS (04:41):
Exactly.
TU (04:42):
It's like not seeing the light end of the tunnel, but seeing that stress and it's like the end of the world.
MS (04:47):
Exactly. And they can't necessarily see that, okay, wait, like five minutes, the electricity will come back on, I'll get my game back. It's just that kind of immediate outburst, right. But the other piece to that is the mood between those outbursts, between those temper tantrums are truly more irritable. So it's not, you know, the kiddo is happy and easygoing and then they kind of are, you know, a stressor happens and they have an outburst. For this particular disorder, the mood is persistently irritable or angry between those temper outbursts. So one of the other disorders we hear a lot about with kiddos and adolescents is those Major Depressive Disorders. And so a lot of time we hear with depressive disorders that real depressed and down mood, which most certainly can be the case. But there's also in kiddos and adolescents, there is that piece where yes, their mood may be more depressed and down for that more intense and prolonged time, but it also could be an irritable mood. And so the difference here though, is with the depressive disorders, the depressed or irritable mood is truly every day, nearly most of the day, but for really, truly a two-week period and not persistent, like with the Disruptive Mood Dysregulation. So this is for about a two-week period, they experience the change in mood and then it eventually remits or goes away and they kind of experience more normal moods. And then the other part of that is, sometimes in kiddos, they might not be able to explain it, but it could be observable, right. They could be just more frustrated, easily. It could be more tearful, more crying.
MS (06:31):
The other part of that is they're, you know, things that they normally enjoy, we hear a lot about, that they just don't wanna do it, right. That motivation, that interest is gone. The energy is low. They just kind of seem more, you know, mopy, sitting around, not really active like they normally are. Sleep sometimes during that same two-week period might be disturbed in that, you know, when they typically sleep seven to nine hours, now they're wanting to sleep 10, 11, 12 hours, or even the opposite. They're waking up earlier in the morning, they're not sleeping like they normally do. We might also hear some adolescents talk about, you know, feeling kind of restless or being or opposite being really slowed down. Another thing is they might have difficulties with being able to concentrate and focus. So that can be another symptom of that kind of depressive disorders.
MS (07:28):
And lastly, the one I wanna make sure I also mention is called Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. And this specifically relates to females only. And the symptoms then kind of relate to some of those Major Depressive Disorder symptoms I just mentioned. But what this truly relates to is those symptoms occur the majority of the menstrual cycle. And so, for the majority of that female menstrual cycle, they experience those depressive episode symptoms. But then those symptoms start to improve within a few days after the onset of menses, but then become minimal or absent for the weeks post-menses, or once that period has resolved. And so some of those symptoms may also include mood swings. Again, not normal fluctuations, but more intense. And then suddenly feeling sad or tearful. They might experience anxiety or tension, or again, feeling kind of keyed up or on edge, as well as changes in appetite, feeling overwhelmed. There might be also accompanying physical symptoms like joint or muscle pain, sensations of feeling bloated. And so these are all kind of symptoms related to those disorders that we see in children and adolescents. But aren't certainly an exhaustive list, but the more common.
TU (08:56):
Now as a parent, I can imagine parents that are dealing with this, may be hearing this for the very first time. So what can you do if you suspect your child or adolescent, may be struggling with mood-related disorder?
MS (09:10):
First and foremost, I always say communication. Always talk, right? Doing things behind a kiddo or adolescent's back is only gonna make things worse, more times than not. And so if you suspect there is something going on, they're struggling more than maybe you would think is typical or normal, ask them about it, talk to them about it, say you're concerned, right? Because look, kids wanna know that we're there for them, and we're recognizing things are off, right. That shows that we care, that shows that we're there. And so if you suspect this particular, you know, a disruptive mood dysregulation, ask them and say, you're concerned and ask what's going on. And if they, you know, if they can't necessarily pinpoint it, or know why or what to do, get help, right. See if you, as a family can figure out a way to manage it. And if you can't, there's certainly, people out there that can help. Like psychologists, mental health professionals.
TU (10:12):
You're listening to Mind Your Mind. Our guest is Dr. Megan Spencer. We are talking about mood-related disorders in children and adolescents. And now we're just kind of wrapping up here talking about, you know, if you suspect your child or adolescent, may be struggling with this. So as a parent, having that conversation. Imagine that: communication, conversation with our kids. Unplugging everything and just have a conversation.
MS (10:34):
Yes.
TU (10:35):
So what are some ways as a parent, just maybe one or two that a parent can address this? I know talking is one way, but how do we have that conversation that's not going to trigger, maybe, some of that emotion.
MS (10:49):
So, the important thing is kind of when and how. So in all reality, when your kiddo or adolescent is already upset, having that conversation probably isn't the best time. So having it when your kid or adolescent is more in a calmer or neutral state. And then the other part of it is really how you approach it. Tone of voice and being more calm in your demeanor and more calm in how you approach the conversation in your tone can truly make a difference because it's really about, you know, removing defensiveness and opening up that line of communication.
TU (11:30):
Great advice. That's kind of what I was looking for. As a parent, you don't want to hit the problem when it's hot, you want to get it when it's cold and easy to the conversation or easier, if you will.
MS (11:39):
Yep. Absolutely.
TU (11:41):
All right. You've been listening to Mind Your Mind. Our guest has been Dr. Megan, Spencer. Dr. Spencer, before we wrap up, I do have a last question for you and you know, what's coming, you've prepared. What do you do personally, to mind your mind?
MS (11:54):
So for me, it's, with the weather getting better, again, it's always with my family, watching my kids grow and, the wonders of the world is awesome through their eyes, but also getting outside with the kiddos and the family.
TU (12:08):
Awesome. Thank you so much for your time. Always appreciate your time and talent. Thank you.
TU (12:13):
Thank you for joining us for Mind Your Mind, a podcast presented by Dakota Family Services. You can't have health without behavioral health. Remember to mind your mind. For more information, links to additional resources, contact information, and much more, go to dakotafamilyservices.org.
Other Podcast Episodes
Risk-taking and Teens: A Delicate Balance
People tend to perceive risk as being inherently negative. But for teenagers, risk-taking is a healthy, normal, and important part of growing up. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, Host Tim Unsinn talks to Vanessa Lien, Nurse Practitioner, about creating a safe environment for your teenager to take risks—and knowing when to step in when they start taking risks that could result in serious and long-term negative consequences.;
Bullying and your Kids: What You Need to Know
15-25% of American students have experienced bullying. And cyberbullying is on the rise. Children who experience bullying suffer from long-lasting effects including depression, anxiety, loneliness, low self-esteem, low academic achievement, and more. Children engaging in bullying behavior are impacted as well. In this episode of "Mind Your Mind," Dakota Family Services therapist, April Morris, LCSW, talks about the impact of bullying and what parents can do to help.;
Coping with Chaos: Tips for Staying Sane During Trying Times
2020 was the year for living with chaos. Everything—at home, at work, and at school—is out of sync and changing from day to day. In this episode of "Mind Your Mind," Dakota Family Services psychologist, Dr. Megan Spencer, shares simple tips for building routine and structure into your life. She also provides an excellent, yet simple, way to ground yourself when you start to feel overwhelmed or anxious.;
Untangling Your Child's Grief
Children experience grief over many things—the loss of a loved one, moving away from their friends, the death of a pet. In this episode of "Mind Your Mind," Lucas Mitzel, a therapist at Dakota Family Services, talks about the stages of grief, and how to walk your child through the grieving process. He will also talk about ways to determine if your child needs to see a professional who can help them untangle the many emotions of grief.;
Suicide Warning Signs and Prevention
In today's episode of Mind Your Mind, your host Tim Unsinn talks with Christy Wilkie about suicide warning signs and things you can do to make a difference. Christy, a therapist at Dakota Family Services, wants to normalize conversations about suicide so people don't feel like they are suffering alone. She says, "There is never a reason to not ask the question, 'Hey, are you OK?' Asking the question can save a life.";
The Many Dimensions of Wellness
In today's episode of Mind Your Mind, your host Tim Unsinn talks with Dr. Wayne Martinsen. Dr. Martinsen, Medical Director and Psychiatrist at Dakota Family Services, defines wellness as more than just the absence of disease, but as a state of well-being. In this episode he will share current wellness research, questions to ask to determine your own well-being, and steps you can take to achieve and maintain wellness.;
How to Support a Friend with Cancer
When someone in our life has cancer, it's difficult to know what to say or how to help. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, Host Tim Unsinn talks to April Morris about how you can best support a friend or loved one who has cancer. Morris, an outpatient therapist at Dakota Family Services, shares tips for knowing what/what not to say, and actions that speak louder than words.;
Getting Some Zzzzz's: The Importance of Sleep
Sleep is just as important for mental health as it is physical health. During sleep, our brains process our memories, emotions, and other information. In this episode of "Mind Your Mind," April Morris tells us why sleep is so important for overall well-being and encourages us to prioritize sleep. April, a therapist at Dakota Family Services, provides practical tips for improving sleep hygiene so you can live your best life.;
Relaxation Techniques to Reduce Stress
Stress does not discriminate, and it comes in many shapes and forms. In this episode of "Mind Your Mind," Dr. Megan Spencer talks about ways to identify and listen to the stress in our bodies. Learn relaxation techniques for managing stress over time, self-care routines that decrease negative stress, and things you can do to bring calm into your life.;
Exercise for Mental Health
Physical activity has a huge potential to enhance our well-being. Exercise increases our mental alertness, energy, and positive mood. In this episode of "Mind Your Mind," Christy Wilkie, therapist at Dakota Family Services, talks about how movement, even for five minutes, can promote changes in the brain that lead to neural growth, reduced inflammation, and feelings of calm and well-being. Listen now to learn more about how moving your body can improve your mental health.;
Understanding Mental Health Diagnoses
Diagnosing children with a mental health-related condition can be controversial. Many worry this gives children a label that is set in stone and will follow them around their entire lives. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, Dr. Wayne Martinsen talks about the role of diagnosis in getting children the help they need. Martinsen encourages us to think about mental health diagnoses the same as we do any health diagnosis. If you go the doctor and they diagnose you with strep throat, that doesn’t mean you’ll have strep throat forever, or that you are a strep throat victim. It just means that you have a collection of symptoms that point to strep throat, and the doctor will use that diagnose to provide the appropriate treatment.;
Normalizing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADHD is diagnosed and treated at a much higher rate than in the past, especially in the United States. Why? In this episode of Mind Your Mind, Dr. Wayne Martinsen, Psychiatrist/Medical Director at Dakota Family Services, explains how the changing world has made it harder for people with shorter attention spans to be successful. In the past, if school was hard for you, you could get a job, work your way up, and live a middle-class lifestyle. Not so in today’s world. Learn more about this fascinating take on ADHD.;
Exploring the Feelings Wheel
In today's episode of Mind Your Mind, your host Tim Unsinn talks with Christy Wilkie about the Feelings Wheel*. Christy, a therapist at Dakota Family Services, says humans experience 34,000 different feelings! She demonstrates how to use the Feelings Wheel to help you identify your emotions so you can control the behaviors associated with them. *Adapted by classtools.net from the Emotional Wheel. The Emotional Wheel was developed by American psychologist, Dr. Robert Plutchik.;
The Teen Brain
In today's episode of "Mind Your Mind," Vanessa Lien, Nurse Practitioner, talks about the many changes occurring in the teen brain. The teenage brain is highly susceptible to stress, but it is also very resilient. Learn coping strategies you can teach your teen to protect their brains and help them cope with stress and emotional struggles.;
Managing Back to School Anxiety
Going back to school after summer vacation can be a stressful time for both kids and parents. The transition from the unstructured summer to a more regimented routine can lead to stress and anxiety. Worries about fitting in, bullying, homework, getting to school on time, and dealing with peer pressure are all additional stressors that may weigh on children when it's time to go back to school. In this episode of “Mind Your Mind,” Tim Unsinn speaks with Therapist Falan Johnson. Falan helps us understand why back to school anxiety is common, provides strategies for managing the added stress, and shares resources parents can use to prepare their children for the new school year.;
Grieving a Loss by Suicide
The grief of losing a friend or loved one to suicide is complicated and can be especially difficult. In addition to the grief, sadness, and loneliness of any loss, people might experience guilt, confusion, rejection, anger, and shame. The stigma of suicide complicates it even more, often preventing survivors talking about their loss or getting the help they need. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, Tim Unsinn visits with Dakota Family Services' therapist, Christy Wilkie. Christy helps listeners understand the complicated nature of suicide grief and how to move through it with compassion and self-acceptance.;
Surprising Things You Should Know to Keep Your Kids Safe Online
You will be shocked at the seemingly safe places predators can connect with your children online. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, Lucas Mitzel, a therapist at Dakota Family Services, talks about the things you need to know to keep your children safe. Learn the many websites and platforms used to target children, how to monitor their internet usage, and how to talk to your children about the dangers.;
Beyond the Baby Blues: Understanding Postpartum Depression
Pregnancy and the birth of a child can be a joyous and exciting time, but some women struggle with their mental health as they transition to motherhood. Depression, anxiety, and other pregnancy-related mental health conditions may surface during or after pregnancy. In this episode of "Mind Your Mind," Tim Unsinn speaks with Clinical Psychologist Dr. Megan Spencer. Dr. Spencer helps us understand the common symptoms and causes of postpartum depression, as well as what to do if you think you may be experiencing it.;
The Surprising Health Benefits of Meditation
Did you know that in addition to calming and focusing our minds, meditation can improve our physical health? In this episode of Mind Your Mind, Host Tim Unsinn visits with Dr. Wayne Martinsen, Psychiatrist, Dakota Family Services, about the surprising health benefits of meditation. A regular meditation practice can increase longevity, reduce the risk of dementia, reduce inflammation, and play a significant role in the treatment of high blood pressure and immune disorders. Learn about the many forms of meditation and how you can start your own meditation practice today.;
Spoon Theory: A Metaphor for Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and depression are invisible illnesses—meaning they don't have outward symptoms visible to others. Because they are invisible, they are often hard for people to explain. In this episode of "Mind Your Mind," Host Tim Unsinn visits with April Morris, LCSW, Therapist, Dakota Family Services. April references the spoon theory of chronic illness created by Christine Miserandino, an award-winning writer, blogger, speaker, and lupus patient advocate. Listen now to learn more about spoons as a metaphor for energy and how you can use them to understand and explain anxiety and depression.;
Supporting a Child with High Functioning Autism
While we hear a lot about autism in the news, many of us still have misconceptions about its causes and symptoms. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, therapist Falan Johnson dispels some of these misconceptions and explains the three levels of autism. Johnson then focuses on the least understood level—high functioning autism. Learn how to identify symptoms of high functioning autism in your child, the importance of early intervention, and ways you can support them.;
How to Set Clear and Healthy Boundaries
In this episode of Mind Your Mind, therapist April Morris talks about boundaries. April will define boundaries, explain their importance, and help you set boundaries that match your values and strengthen your relationships. Learn how healthy boundaries can improve your mental and physical health, and how you can say “no” respectfully.;
Talking About Infertility
Going through infertility tests and treatments can be an extremely difficult and lonely time for couples. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, Lucas Mitzel talks about his own experience. He also shares tips for couples struggling with infertility, and for friends and family members who want to be supportive but don’t know what to say or do.;
When Fear Overwhelms: Panic Attacks
In this episode of Mind Your Mind, Host Tim Unsinn talks to Therapist Falan Johnson about panic attacks. What do they feel like? What causes them? How can you prevent or manage them? Listen now to learn more and discover techniques that might work for you or your loved one.;
When Your Child is Struggling
Are you concerned about your child's mental health but aren't sure what to do? Join Host Tim Unsinn and his guest, Therapist Jesse Lamm, as they discuss ways you can support your child through a difficult time.;
Stress and Anxiety Management for College Students
Are the stresses of college (constant worry, fitting in, lack of sleep, etc.) affecting your ability to function? Join Host Tim Unsinn and his guest, April Morris, LCSW, as they discuss ways to manage or eliminate the stressors that are impacting your well-being.;
Insomnia: When You Just Can't Sleep
Are you struggling to get enough sleep each night? Maybe you have difficulty falling and staying asleep. You can't get comfortable. You feel anxious and your brain just won't shut off. According to the Sleep Foundation, over one-third of adults in the U.S. sleep for less than seven hours a night. Join Host Tim Unsinn and his guest, April Morris, LCSW, in this episode of "Mind Your Mind," as they discuss how insomnia can affect many other areas of your life, as well as practical tips to improve your sleep hygiene.;
Building Resilience in Ten Steps
Resilience is not a personality trait or characteristic. Resilience isn't ignoring or emotional numbing or pretending that a problem doesn't exist. And being resilient doesn’t mean we won’t face adversity. Rather, resilience is our ability to bounce back from adversity. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, Dr. Megan Spencer, psychologist at Dakota Family Services, shares ten ways to build resilience so you are ready when adversity strikes.;
Why Do I Feel Sad?
You can probably think of a dozen things that make you feel sad. Sadness is a normal human emotion that helps us process the events in our lives. But what is "normal" sadness? When does sadness move from "normal" to something you may need help processing? In this episode of "Mind Your Mind," Falan Johnson, a therapist at Dakota Family Services, will answer these questions and more. Learn the importance of allowing yourself to feel sad so you can move past it, and, when it might be time to seek professional help.;
Becoming a Better You
In today's world, we are constantly bombarded by messages about who we should be, how we should look, what we should do or wear, and more. With the increased accessibility and prevalence of social media, kids and adolescents are hearing and seeing these messages at younger and younger ages. How do we help ourselves and our teens combat these messages and find our true selves? In this episode of "Mind Your Mind," Therapist Jenika Rufer helps us wade through the unimportant things to find what we truly value so we can become our best selves.;
Getting the Most out of Therapy
Unsure of whether your therapy is working for you? In this episode of “Mind Your Mind,” our host Tim Unsinn talks with Dakota Family Services therapist Lucas Mitzel about how to make your therapy sessions more productive. Making progress in therapy can often come down to simply having an open mind and a plan for discussion. Although each session can evoke a wide range of emotions, you should always leave feeling that some sort of movement has happened.;
Rewiring Our Minds: The Power of CBT
In this episode of Mind Your Mind, host Tim Unsinn and Dakota Family Services therapist Christy Wilkie talk about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and its effectiveness in battling unhelpful thoughts and beliefs. Utilizing cognitive restructuring, CBT helps change inaccurate and damaging self-perceptions and perceptions of others, leading to healthier day-to-day thought patterns. Christy also touches on multiple CBT exercises to try at home, as well as some of her own tactics for promoting helpful thoughts.;
Understanding & Managing Anxiety (Community Chat series)
Are your worries and fears about the future getting in the way of daily life? If so, you may be one of the many people who suffer from anxiety. In this special Community Chat episode of Mind Your Mind, Christy Wilkie and Lucas Mitzel talk about the many types of anxiety and what they can look like in both children and adults. They also touch on ways to combat anxiety attacks, including using grounding techniques, mindfulness, muscle relaxation, and more.;
Autism: Signs, Symptoms, & Intervention
In this episode of Mind Your Mind, host Tim Unsinn and psychiatrist Dr. Wayne Martinson discuss autism and signs of it in children, touching on the different levels of the autism spectrum and where people fall. Learn about how autism often affects children's social skills, communication, and behavior, as well as its connections to other disorders and how to handle it.;
Coping Exercises
Many people find themselves dealing with high levels of stress and anxiety in their daily lives. However, there are plenty of simple strategies to help regulate these emotions. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, host Tim Unsinn talks with therapist Sandy Richter about various coping exercises to help you regulate and calm yourself, including breathing and movement exercises for both children and adults.;
Genetic Testing & Its Role in Treatment
Medication can affect people in many different ways. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, host Tim Unsinn and psychiatric nurse practitioner Amanda Daggett talk about genetic testing and its use in discerning how different individuals might react to various medications. Tim and Amanda also touch on some of the facts and myths surrounding genetic testing, including what testing can and can’t indicate and where the science is currently at.;
Understanding Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems people face. However, there are many ways to manage and understand it. On this episode of Mind Your Mind, host Tim Unsinn and therapist Lucas Mitzel discuss what causes anxiety and how it can affect people’s day-to-day lives, as well as the difference between anxiety and fear and how to combat chronic anxiety with grounding techniques.;
The Power of Social Connections (Community Chat Series)
In this special Community Chat episode of Mind Your Mind, Psychologist Megan Spencer and Psychiatrist Wayne Martinsen discuss how loneliness and social isolation are increasing in our country, as well as what that means for individuals’ health in the long term. They also give advice on how to get yourself or your loved ones more connected with others, including how to connect both in-person and online.;
Shining Light in the Darkness with DBT (Community Chat Series)
Does it seem like your child is “stuck” in therapy, or engaging in dangerous behaviors like self-harm and suicidality? In this special Community Chat episode of Mind Your Mind, Psychologist Hannah Baczynski and therapist April Morris discuss Dialectical Behavior Therapy and its effectiveness in treating patients who have found traditional therapy unsuccessful. Learn about the 4 core skills of DBT and what makes DBT unique from other forms of therapeutic treatment.;
Does My Child Need Medication?
When our children are struggling with their mental health, it can be hard knowing how to help them. However, in addition to therapy, medication can be a viable and effective option for improving your child’s mental health. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, our host Tim Unsinn talks with psychiatric mental health nurse Amanda Daggett about how to know if your child needs medication, what the process is for a prescription, and how to tell if their medication is right for them.;
Depression in Children and Adolescents
Did you know that depression occurs in about 15% of children? In this episode of Mind Your Mind, our host Tim Unsinn talks with Psychiatrist Dr. Wayne Martinsen about depression in kids and adolescents, including signs of depression to look out for and how to know when to reach out to a care provider. They also touch on how to know whether your child’s sadness is caused by depression or other external factors and what you can do to try and prevent depression in your child.;
Recognizing Depression in Children & Adolescents (Community Chat Series)
It can be difficult knowing how to recognize and treat depression in children and adolescents. In this special community chat episode of Mind Your Mind, Psychologist Megan Spencer and Therapist April Morris discuss signs of depression to look out for, including both behavioral and physical signs that your child may be depressed. They also touch on the influence of environment, physical illnesses or diagnoses, and genetics on children’s mental health.;
How to Fit In While Staying True to Yourself
Humans are hardwired for social connection, but it can be difficult knowing where to fit in as unique individuals. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, host Tim Unsinn and therapist Christy Wilkie talk about the importance of using your strengths, interests, and relationships to figure out where you belong. They also touch on signs that you might not be staying true to yourself, as well as how to handle feelings of being left out.;
PTSD: Signs, Symptoms, & Treatment (Community Chat Series)
While often perceived as only relating to those who’ve experienced warfare, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can affect anyone. In this special Community Chat episode of Mind Your Mind, Psychologist Dr. Hannah Baczynski and therapist Lucas Mitzel explain what trauma is, how it affects each person differently, and when to seek treatment for trauma-related symptoms. They also discuss different treatment options for PTSD, touching on the pros and cons of each.;
Autism in Children & Adolescents (Community Chat Series)
Though autism is one of the most commonly discussed mental health diagnoses in the community, it is often one of the most misunderstood. In this special Community Chat episode of Mind Your Mind, therapists Lucas Mitzel and Falan Johnson discuss what autism is, how it appears in children and adolescents, and how it may look different between individuals. They also touch on how autism can show up differently in boys than in girls and offer intervention tips for parents and caregivers.;
Autism in Adults (Community Chat Series)
Autism is sometimes perceived as a disorder that only affects children and adolescents, but it is actually a lifelong diagnosis. In this special Community Chat episode of Mind Your Mind, psychologists Dr. Hannah Baczynski and Dr. Megan Spencer explore the symptoms and nuances of autism in adults, touching on the history of autism spectrum disorder, the research surrounding it, how autism commonly presents in adults, and more.;
Spirituality & Mental Health
Though spirituality is often associated with religion, it can mean much more than simply attending religious services or praying. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, host Tim Unsinn and psychiatrist Dr. Wayne Martinsen define spirituality and discuss its relevance in daily life, touching on ways people experience, express, and cultivate spirituality. They also talk about the link between spirituality, religion and meaning in life.;
Setting Healthy & Realistic Goals
Setting goals is easy. Working towards them is hard. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, host Tim Unsinn talks with Dakota Family Services therapist Christy Wilkie about how to set healthy, realistic goals, as well as the importance of managing your expectations and staying persistent. Whether you’re starting an exercise routine, writing a book, trying a new diet, or building your career, keep these tips in mind when setting your next big goal.;
Facing Your Fears
Fear is powerful. It can cause us to avoid problems, people, and even opportunities in our life. But it can also be overcome. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, host Tim Unsinn speaks with Falan Johnson, a therapist at Dakota Family Services, about the function of fear and how to face it. Learn where fear comes from, how to identify it, and how to calm down and build confidence when you’re feeling afraid.;
The Three R's: Regulate, Relate & Reason
In this episode of Mind Your Mind, our host Tim Unsinn talks with Dakota Family Services therapist Jessie Mertz about the “3 R’s”—Regulate, Relate, and Reason. They discuss what each term means, how they build upon each other, and how this approach can help you calm others who are experiencing distress.;
What is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a chronic, complex mental health disorder that affects around 1% of people in the United States. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, host Tim Unsinn and psychiatrist Dr. Wayne Martinsen discuss the symptoms and implications of schizophrenia, touching on its many effects on individual and family life. Learn about how schizophrenia is treated, how it affects physical health, when it tends to develop, and how it is perceived between cultures.;
Seasonal Affective Disorder (Community Chat Series)
Feeling like you’ve got the winter blues? If you’re noticing symptoms of depression with the change of seasons, it may be a sign that you’re suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. In this special Community Chat episode of Mind Your Mind, therapists Christy Wilkie and Lucas Mitzel discuss the common symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder, how it can affect other mental health disorders, and some useful tips, tricks, and resources for managing symptoms of SAD.;