It’s no secret that college students are under a lot of stress, especially during the first year. But sometimes stress that seems normal is actually a sign of deeper struggles. In fact, a recent study found that one in three freshman students had mental health struggles.

It can be difficult to recognize whether your child is dealing with mental health issues. Acknowledging and understanding these issues can also be challenging. If you’re worried about your child and the pressure they may be facing in college, we can help.

We’re going to cover some important information about college students and mental challenges. We’ll tell you some reasons your child may be struggling at college and how you can help. Read on to learn more about the plight of the stressed college student.

Students Today Don’t See Value in Downtime

If you’re wondering why your child is so much more stressed out than you were in college, you aren’t alone. Many parents and other adults don’t quite understand the stress of students today. But a lot of it stems from the fact that today’s students don’t place a priority on rest or relaxation.

Many students feel that they have to be productive during all waking hours. And with smartphones and tablets, it’s easy to always be “on” and doing something. You can encourage your child to take breaks with exercise, time outside, or time with friends.

Your Child May Not Have Strong Coping Skills to Deal With Mental Challenges

It’s important to realize that college being tough – especially during the first year – is typical. Mental challenges and stress are common with any transition. For college kids who don’t have the right coping skills, the transition can be even harder.

You may not think you were a helicopter parent, but we encourage you to rethink things. All parents want to protect their children, but sometimes they over-protect and over-indulge. Help your child develop and learn coping skills now, so they can grow and thrive in college and beyond.

Digital Technology Makes it Harder to Connect with Others

We mentioned how technology can prevent your child from shutting down and taking a break. But technology can also be getting in the way of your child making meaningful connections with peers. Living their lives online has actually led many young people to feel very lonely.

Your child may need to trade their online social time for socializing in real life. Spending time with others sharing similar experiences can be therapeutic. Encourage your child to spend more time with their peers and college friends in person.

How to Help Your Child and Promote Mental Wellness

Mental challenges can encompass more than the struggles of college life. We understand you want to help your child improve and maintain their mental health at all stages. We’re proud to offer a wealth of advice and tips.

Browse our blog for guidance on helping your child manage their mental health. Learn about disordered eating, dealing with the trauma of loss, and more. Whether you have a young child, teen, or young adult in college, you’re sure to find valuable advice here.

College is an exciting time, full of endless opportunities. Students can explore new majors, take on exciting internship opportunities, and perhaps even study abroad. They’ll make lasting friendships and even explore new romances.

But, along with all this opportunity comes a wealth of new stress and pressures. A large part of that stress stems from academic responsibilities. Of equal weight is the stress that comes with wanting to fit in and make new friends.

A large part of struggling in college stems from poor study habits and procrastination – something that can be combatted. Let’s explore the five top reasons why the rigors of college can really hit home, as well as the best way to combat all of them.

1. Bad Study Habits

Gone are (the majority of) the days when students just need to memorize facts and regurgitate them. Now, professors are looking to see that students are in-depth, critical thinkers.

This requires time, effort, and energy. It’s important to spend time reading the text, asking tough questions, and focusing in on in-depth reports and papers.

2. Procrastination

Bad study habits lead to procrastination. If students don’t manage their time well, they wind up staying out all night with their new friends and then “cramming” when it’s time to study or write a paper.

Procrastination walks hand in hand with stress. It creates undue pressure when tasks can be completed at a steadier pace.

3. Uncertainty

College breeds a whole new set of questions and uncertainties. Now’s the time to select a roommate, declare a major, set your course load. Being responsible for so many outcomes is another breeding ground for self-doubt and stress.

4. Adult Bullying

In truth, it’s easier for students to find their pack of friends in college than high school. There are so many after-school programs and opportunities to meet people with similar interests.

But, what if, in those new circles, your child feels somehow left out or marginalized? It’s hard for them to put themselves out there, so any sort of feelings of non-acceptance can be hard to handle.

5. Failure

Procrastination, as well as the distraction of trying to fit in, or the potential disappointments that come with feeling left out, can take a toll on your child’s ability to perform well in the classroom.

This is their first time “out on their own” and the fear of failure, or actual existence of failure, can really shake a student’s sense of self-esteem.

How to Help Your Child Struggling in College

One of the best things you can do is help your child struggling in college is to make a schedule they can stick to. It’s absolutely possible to take everything in and succeed. But, it’s a matter of time management.

Help your child set up a schedule that revolves around classes, part-time work or internships, and study time. Then, with all the remaining time, encourage them to take advantage of clubs and campus dinners with roommates and friends.

Here at NeuroHealth, we can help you ensure your child succeeds in their academics. We offer neuropsychology testing, school consultation advocacy services, and an array of treatment options.

Together, we can develop a plan to meet the behavioral, developmental, emotional, and social needs of your child. Feel free to contact us today!

Has your teen suffered a head injury? If they have, or if you want to be prepared just in case, you’ll want to know what to look for in case of a concussion.

So, what are the signs of a concussion in a teenager? More importantly, what are you supposed to do if your teen does have a concussion? We’ll try to answer all of these questions, and more, in the next few paragraphs.

Headache and Dizziness
A concussion is essentially a brain injury, often mild, that is caused by the brain being knocked against the skull. Because of this, the person will often complain of a headache.

A person with a concussion can also feel dizzy, and will often look it. They may also complain of vision problems, most often blurred vision or seeing double. Exposure to light doesn’t clear things up and may even make them feel worse.

Confusion and Decreased Faculties
Confusion often accompanies a concussion, as do a few minor functional issues. The patient will often have difficulties remembering the event. They may show signs of slurred speech and not respond to questions as quickly as they usually do.

Physical Symptoms
Nausea is another symptom to look out for, as is vomiting. They may also feel exhausted and lose consciousness. This can be a potential sign of danger, but not necessarily.

Emotional Symptoms
Another sign of a concussion in a teenager is abnormal behaviors. It is not uncommon for a concussed person to appear angrier than usual or more depressed. Be on the lookout for any odd emotional patterns in your child.

Abnormal Sleep Patterns
In some cases, symptoms of a concussion can last for days to even months. Persistent symptoms are most common in children, teens and the elderly. This is especially true if the person has had a concussion before.

In cases such as these, you may notice the patient is sleeping more than usual. Others may complain of insomnia. Contrary to popular belief, it is not dangerous to fall asleep with a concussion. In fact, sleep is recommended to help the body rest and heal itself.

All the same, you may want to take this with a grain of salt. While a person with a concussion definitely needs sleep, you’ll need to make sure that it is just a concussion. More serious conditions could cause harm if you allow the patient to sleep.

Treatment
Regardless of the situation, the patient should always be taken to a doctor. On the rare chance that something more serious has occurred, the doctor will be able to spot it and be better equipped to treat it.

If it is determined that the patient has a concussion and nothing more, the best thing for them is to sleep. Depending on the doctor, they may decide to keep the patient overnight or send them home.

Signs of Concussion in a Teenager
When looking for signs of concussion in a teenager, there’s a whole list of things to watch for, from dizziness and headache to emotional shifts. There may also be nausea, vomiting, abnormal sleep patterns or difficulty concentrating or doing everyday tasks.

If you want to know more about neurological health and other neurological conditions, please contact us. Maybe you want to know more about anxiety and how to get help for it. Perhaps you’d like to know how to spot depression, and what to do if you have it. We can help with that, too.

In America, 6.4 million children between the ages of four and 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD.

The diagnosis of attention deficit disorder in yourself or child can result in several different emotional responses.

It can be a relief to know the reason behind the behavior, but it can also be an added stress to an already complicated life.

But, through the diagnostic process, it is essential to understand that you are not alone.

Many families in America undergo a similar experience, and learning more about ADHD and ADHD statistics can help you navigate this new world.

Read on to learn a little about attention deficient disorder, its three different types, and the numbers behind it.

Defining ADHD
In order to delve into the mental disorder that is ADHD, it is first essential to understand what it is.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a medical level neurodevelopmental disorder. It involves problems with attention, concentration, and increased level of activity. This affects a child’s performance in school, social situations, and work.

It is most common in children under twelve, but it can also occur in adults. Historically, it is believed to have first mentioned in 1902.

Additionally, attention deficient disorder, known as ADD, has been recently reclassified as a type of ADHD.

Symptoms of ADHD
Several symptoms of this disorder can help a doctor determines if it is a possible cause. There are three types of ADHD.

The first symptom is that patients fail to pay attention to details, and are prone to make frequent mistakes in their work. They may have trouble sustaining attention, listening when spoken to directly, and following directions on projects.

Other potential presentations of the hyperactive-impulsive type include talking excessively, constant restlessness, blurting out sentences, struggling to wait in line, and interrupting others.

Interesting Facts About ADHD
There are several important facts and figures to consider with ADHD, including the sheer amount of people that have the condition.

The CDC reports that an estimated 9.4% of children struggle with it, as well as 4% of adults. But, some studies suggest an even higher prevalence in the U.S. alone.

Other ADHD statistics include that the average age of diagnosis is 7, but symptoms typically manifest between the ages of 3 and 6.

As well, in the U.S. 6.1% of children between the ages of 2 and 17 take ADHD medication.

ADHD often overlaps with other disorders, though that does not mean that ADHD is linked to these.

Almost two out of three people with ADHD have at least one other mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder.

Disparities in ADHD Statistics
Children that live below the poverty line are two times more likely to have ADHD, which may represent an environmental component to risk.

The is also huge variation among different states in the United States, according to CDC ADHD rates.

Moreover, kids that come from English-speaking home have four times the likelihood.

There are certain disparities among genders as well. In their lifetimes, 12.9% of males will be diagnosed with ADHD, while only 4.9% of females will be.

This translates to males having a three times higher risk than females. There also may be different symptoms between the girls and boys.

Final Thoughts
It is essential to understand the full scope of an ADHD diagnosis. The rates of the disorder have consistently risen since the mid-2000s, and continue to do so.

From ADHD statistics to the basic symptoms of the disorder, being informed can help you determine the best course of action.

If you think your child may be struggling with ADHD, schedule an appointment with NeuroHealth in Arlington Heights. Contact us today.

Most people hear about obsessive-compulsive disorder on a daily basis, often used in the wrong way.

While many people associate OCD with a need for cleanliness or order, the truth is that OCD is far more disruptive than many people know.

And although many people “know” about the disorder 2 percent of the population lives with, few actually understand it.

So what exactly is OCD and what are some of the most common OCD signs and treatments? Read on to learn more.

Defining OCD

OCD is defined as a disorder which involves repeated, unwanted thoughts, feelings, tics, or obsessions.

But what exactly does this mean in ‘real’ terms?

Imagine having a thought or feeling that won’t leave your mind, no matter how hard you try and think of something else. You may even feel that if you stop thinking about the subject, something disastrous will occur.

This is more or less what living with OCD is like.

It’s about recurring thoughts that can impair the way people live their day to day lives.

For many, this means following a strict routine that cannot be deviated from. They may need to count to a certain number or perform a certain activity in order to feel like they can go about their day.

OCD isn’t something to joke about, it can be quite difficult to live with.

Common Symptoms of OCD

Now that we have a clearer idea of what OCD looks like, let’s discuss some of the most common symptoms of OCD.

However, it’s important to note that no two patients will show the exact same symptoms. Should a reader feel they may suffer from OCD, consult a mental health specialist.

Recurring Thought

Those with the disorder may find themselves repeatedly experiencing thought patterns that may make daily life difficult. These types of thoughts can involve harming one’s self or others, sexual images, or a sense of paranoia.

Obsessive Cleanliness

While it’s often joked about, cleanliness is a major factor of OCD. But not in the way that many seem to believe.

Examples include hand washing to the point of raw or bleeding hands or constantly showering due to a fear of germs.

Ritualistic Behavior

Many patients with OCD carry out what is referred to as ritualistic behavior.

As the name may suggest, these activities are small, daily tasks that the patient must complete to go about their day. Should the ritual become disrupted in any capacity, many patients will start over until proper completion.

Some examples include obsessive prayer and counting.

Treatments For OCD

Fortunately, OCD is quite treatable. While a patient is never ‘cured’ in a traditional capacity, solutions such as medication and talk therapy can make daily life far easier for those with OCD.

Other, more unorthodox methods may work as well. These include hypnotherapy, exposure therapy, and imaginal exposure.

Are You Experiencing Common OCD Signs?

It’s important to reiterate that no two patients will experience OCD signs in the same fashion. Therefore, it’s recommended that those who believe they may be experiencing symptoms of OCD talk to a professional.

To learn more about OCD treatment, get in touch today. The life you deserve is out there. All you have to do is reach out.

If for more than two weeks you’ve felt sad and have lost interest or pleasure in your usual activities, you may be depressed.

Symptoms of depression, on the other hand, aren’t as clear-cut as they are for a common cold. Intense sadness and a feeling of hopelessness often comes into play. Depressive symptoms can also range from mild to severe overnight, and they often disguise themselves as everyday habits and emotions that you wouldn’t necessarily consider depressive behavior.

If you’ve experienced several of the signs listed below, call NeuroHealth for a neuropsychological assessment and treatment plan.

Depressive Behaviors

• Not having the energy to go out anymore
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• A lack of concentration
• Relying on alcohol and other sedatives
• No longer wanting to do the activities you usually enjoy

Feelings of Depression

• Disappointed
• Indecisive
• Irritable
• Frustrated
• Guilty
• A lack of confidence
• Miserable
• Sad

Depressive Thoughts

• ‘I must be weak to have become depressed.’
• ‘I don’t think depression is worth talking about.’
• ‘I’m worthless.’
• ‘I am a burden on others.’
• ‘I either figure this out or I end my life.’
• ‘People would be better off without me.’

Symptoms of Physical Depression

• Headaches
• Back pain
• Muscle aches and joint pain
• Chest pain
• Digestive problems
• Exhaustion and fatigue
• Problems with sleeping
• Change in appetite and fluctuation
• Dizziness or feeling lightheaded

Did you know that 40 million American adults over the age of 18 have an anxiety disorder? Despite 18.1 percent of people having anxiety, but only 1/3 seek treatment for it.

Many anxiety sufferers avoid getting treatment out of fear of being judged by their family and friends. Some are in denial of how detrimental their anxiety has become, while some may not know how to ago about seeking treatment.

As a mental health service and treatment center, NeuroHealth will be highlighting 5 signs that it’s time to get help for your anxiety and how you should go about seeking treatment.

Many people are battling anxiety on a daily basis, and there is nothing to be ashamed about.

We are here for you.

If Anxiety is Affecting Your Physical Health

Anxiety disorders don’t just affect your mental health, they also can take a toll on you physically.

Physical symptoms of an anxiety may include shortness of breath, chest pains, dizziness, upset stomach and diarrhea. Anxiety and stress can really beat up your body if you don’t seek help.

Anxiety can also have a negative effect on an already existing illness or medical condition you have. If your anxiety is causing you to become physically ill, it’s time to seek treatment.

If Anxiety Starts to Affect Your Work

Work can cause stress as it is, but anxiety can really have a negative affect on you.

If you find yourself missing a lot of work days, coming in late, or having trouble focusing or performing everyday tasks, it might be time to get some help.

The last thing you want to do is jeopardize your career. If you don’t seek help for your anxiety related issues, there’s a chance you could lose your job due for nonperformance.

If you have anxiety, seek the proper help.

If Anxiety Starts Having a Negative Impact on Your Relationships

If your loved ones start to worry about you, it may be a sign that your anxiety is out of control.

Anxiety can have many negative effects on your relationships, such as: constant worry turning into jealousy, avoiding friends and family at social events or people in general, and a lack of communication on your end.

Treatment for anxiety is to help improve your mental health. Doing so can also improve the relationships that you have with your loved ones.

If Anxiety Starts Affecting Your Social Life

Not only can anxiety have a negative effect on your relationships, but it can also destroy your social life and the things you used to love to do.

If you’re starting to feel trapped, isolated, and fearful on a daily basis then it’s absolutely time to get some help for your disorder. You shouldn’t be a prisoner within your own body and mind. There’s an endless amount of help and support available to those who need it.

Take advantage of it before your anxiety takes advantage of you.

If Anxiety is Causing Your to Abuse Drugs and Alcohol

According to The National Institute on Drug Abuse, those addicted to drugs are twice as likely to suffer from anxiety and mood disorders.

Many people use and abuse drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism to temporarily deal with their anxiety. The only problem is that what goes up, eventually must come down.

Once the temporary high wears off, the symptoms of anxiety returns then it’s back to square one.

Abusing drugs and alcohol while suffering from anxiety can develop a possible life threatening addiction. If you’re anxiety is also causing addition, it’s time to get some help.

Get the Treatment you Deserve

When you visit NeuroHealth, we make it our mission to help every person from every age group succeed in life. If you want to learn more about our anxiety treatment services, call (847) 584-1894.

[ Source: https://www.healthcentral.com/article/five-signs-that-it-is-time-to-get-help-for-your-anxiety ]

Neuropsychological and psychological testing are different medical approaches used in diagnosing and providing suitable treatment for mental related ailments. To gain better clarity of the cognitive function, strength, and weakness, these two medical testing are used.

These mental evaluations involve an interview process and the performance of a series of tests. They can be used to treat brain injuries, learning disabilities, dementia, psychiatric disorders and neurological defects.

What Is Psychological And Neuropsychological Testing?

Neuropsychological testing is a complete assessment of the cognitive processes. This cognitive evaluation is based on the theory that the etiology of a disorder will be understood better if the neurodevelopmental pathway is evaluated. This testing is performed by neuropsychologists who are well-trained in brain function and activity.

The tests are conducted to characterize the changes associated with the cognitive disorders through systematic and structured behavioral observation.

Psychological testing is an evaluation carried out on an individual by a psychologist to ascertain the behavioral, intellectual and emotional functioning. Some of the tests are designed to be in an interview format while some entail an individual responding interactively to a virtual-like environment.

The Benefits of Psychological and Neuropsychological Testing

Some of the benefits of psychological and neuropsychological testing include:

Complete Evaluation of Psychological Patterns

A neuropsychological testing provides a full evaluation and diagnosis of the pattern of the psychological changes of an individual. This pattern of changes is used to proffer adequate treatments that will cure the ailment.

Detect Learning Disabilities

Neuropsychological testing can be used to detect learning disabilities. Treating learning disabilities with medications only will amount to treating half of the problem. Most learning disabilities are detected and treated through neuropsychological testing.

Improved Decision Making

Through psychological testing, patients get to become better at decision making. Most individuals lean heavily on psychologists to make a better decision. Through thorough and accurate information gathered during this testing, the patient’s knowledge will be increased and will enable him to make decisions that are more informed.

Detect Ailment

Psychological and neuropsychological testing can be used as an alternative to detecting an ailment when a physical pathology is not observed. They are used as a reinforcement of supportive drug therapies as well.

Are There Risks and Complications?

There are usually no risks associated with physiological and neuropsychological testing. The tests provide a deep understanding of an individual’s behavior and mental abilities without any side effect.

Reliable Provider of Psychological and Neuropsychological Testing

At NeuroHealth, we believe that the unique traits and abilities of each individual makes them react or respond to situations in different ways. We offer psychological and neuropsychological testing to individuals of all ages including infants, children, adolescents, adults, and so forth.

Our psychological and neuropsychological assessments are customized to give you the information you need to help the growth and development of your child.

We are known to provide excellent psychological and neuropsychological testing services. We make use of state-of-the-art testing equipment and innovative techniques to help determine your mental abilities, cognitive abilities, academic abilities, emotional stability, neurological functioning, and hands-on learning abilities.

For more information about our psychological and neuropsychological testing, get in touch with us today. Our experts will be available to discuss with you and provide adequate answers to your questions and concerns.

A child with common signs of a learning disability often has several related signs of difficulty with reading, writing, and other learning-related tasks.

The good news about learning disabilities is that research provided by scientists provide hope and direction.

A recent study showed that 10 percent of people have difficulty reading, including those of average and above average intelligence.  

Discovering a child’s learning disability early and providing the right kind of help can give the child a chance to develop skills needed to be successful and live a productive life.

Look for the following common signs of learning disabilities:

• Poor memory
• Short attention span
• Difficulty following directions
• Speaks later than most children
• Slow vocabulary growth
• Trouble learning the alphabet, days of the week, numbers, etc
• Poor reading and/or writing ability
• Easily distracted and extremely restless
• Lack of eye-hand coordination

Other signs of a child with a learning disability might include:

• Difficulty staying on task
• Difficulty listening well
• Says one thing, means another
• Problems dealing with new things in life
• Doesn’t adjust well to change
• Reverses letters
• Immature way of speaking
• Places letters in sentences incorrectly

If any of the signs listed above are present in a child’s behavior, it is still required to seek a professional assessment, just to be sure.

Not every person with a particular disability will have all the common signs of a learning disability, and each learning disability has its own signs.

Many children and adults go through life with a “hidden handicap” due to their learning disabilities not being diagnosed early on. The results can lead to poor self esteem, struggling in the work place, and having a difficulty in school.

Assessing a learning disability early on increases a child’s chances to be able to learn how to cope with a disability. Every child learns in their own individual ways, and most children — even those with a learning disability — still have normal or above-average intelligence.

If you’re concerned about your child, reach out to our experts in Arlington Heights, IL. We provide neuropsychological treatments and assessments for patients of every age group. Reach out today by calling (847) 383-0639 or contacting us online.

Divorce is inevitably difficult for children no matter how much parents try to protect them. All kids handle it differently. Therapy is an especially good idea for kids when divorce brings dramatic changes to their lives. If you decide that counseling is right for your kids, follow these tips to best support them throughout the therapeutic process.