Behavioral and Mental Health, Pediatric Services

Teaching parents about positive discipline strategies can help avoid child abuse

What is positive discipline? Parenting comes with a lot of responsibility, which includes teaching a child how to behave. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that pediatricians teach families about positive discipline strategies that can show children how to manage their behavior while keeping them safe from harm. Positive discipline also can keep parents’…

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Behavioral and Mental Health, Pediatric Services

Spotting polypharmacy children and deprescribing psychotropics

Over the past 20 years, the number of psychotropic medications children receive has increased dramatically, with large increases in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications and antipsychotics. Psychotropic medications can level the biologic playing field for children by treating established mental health disorders and controlling disabling symptoms such as hyperarousal and impulsivity. But they do not change…

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Behavioral and Mental Health, Pediatric Services

More males with eating disorders; risk factors and diagnosis guidelines for all patients

Eating disorders are increasing among males, making up about a quarter of anorexia nervosa patients and running a greater risk of death, said Brittany K. Badal, M.D., an adolescent medicine physician with Norton Children’s Medical Group – Novak Center. Later diagnosis in males typically contributes to morbidity, Dr. Badal said during a recent pediatric grand…

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Behavioral and Mental Health, Pediatric Services

Katelyn M. Rossow, M.D., joins Norton Children’s Development Center

Katelyn M. Rossow, M.D., has joined Norton Children’s Development Center, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, specializing in developmental and behavioral pediatrics. Dr. Rossow completed fellowships in clinical pharmacology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, and in developmental and behavioral pediatrics at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville. Dr….

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Behavioral and Mental Health, Pediatric Services

Kentucky pediatric providers report ADHD practice not consistent with clinical practice guidelines

Researchers with Cleveland Clinic, the University of Louisville School of Medicine and Norton Children’s recently conducted a survey of pediatric attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) care in Kentucky and found areas of deviation from established practice patterns for diagnosing and managing ADHD and for pharmacotherapy strategies. “The results indicate that some key recommended practice guidelines were not…

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Behavioral and Mental Health, Pediatric Services

Kimberly B. Schauder, Ph.D., joins Norton Children’s Development Center and Norton Children’s Autism Center

Kimberly B. Schauder, Ph.D., who recently completed a postdoctoral fellowship in clinical psychology at the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders at Children’s National in Rockville, Maryland, has joined Norton Children’s Autism Center and Norton Children’s Development Center. Both are affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine. Dr. Schauder received her doctor of philosophy in clinical…

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Behavioral and Mental Health, Pediatric Services

Medical treatment for depression and anxiety in pediatric patients

Before beginning medical treatment for depression or anxiety in a child or adolescent, it is helpful to rule out medical conditions such as anemia (checking iron, B12, and folate), diabetes, vitamin D deficiency and abnormal thyroid levels, according to Felissa P. Goldstein, M.D., child and adolescent psychiatrist with Norton Children’s Behavioral & Mental Health, affiliated…

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Adult Services, Behavioral and Mental Health, Neuroscience

Knowing the difference between dementia and depression in older adults

Many seniors experience some level of sadness. It can be triggered by a lot of different events as they get older: losing loved ones and spouses, experiencing an unwanted move, coping with serious illnesses. Often, the depression that a senior experiences may be only temporary. In other cases, it can continue for months or years….

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Addiction Medicine, Adult Services, Behavioral and Mental Health

Opioid prescribing guidelines and best practices

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not consider opioids a first-line therapy. CDC opioid prescribing guidelines favor nonopioid therapies for chronic pain outside of active cancer, palliative care and end-of-life care. These include acetaminophen or ibuprofen, physical therapy, exercise and cognitive behavioral therapy. Clinicians should consider opioids only when the benefits for…

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Behavioral and Mental Health, Pediatric Services

Assessing children for developmental delay

Children who are behind their peers in motor skills, speech, listening, understanding or social development are developmentally delayed, a common condition affecting 15% to 20% of children nationally. “It’s important to identify and screen for these children, because we clearly know that earlier recognition and earlier intervention leads to significantly greater gains later in life…

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Addiction Medicine, Adult Services, Behavioral and Mental Health

New guidelines for when to prescribe naloxone

Deciding when to prescribe naloxone (Narcan), especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, presents unique challenges. We must consider how these challenges can lead to deteriorating mental health and increased substance use, and therefore a higher risk of death by suicide or overdose. As stewards of our patients’ health, we seek to minimize these risks. It is…

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Behavioral and Mental Health, Pediatric Services

Pediatric psychiatrist Virginia F. Barbosa, M.D., joins Norton Children’s Autism Center

Child psychiatrist Virginia F. Barbosa, M.D., has joined Norton Children’s Autism Center, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, and Norton Children’s Behavioral & Mental Health, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine. Dr. Barbosa is board certified in adult psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry. For several years, Dr. Barbosa was medical director of…

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