Gratitude Not Attitude.

These are words to live by, I am sure you would agree.  We probably wish our kids were on board with us about the above phrase.  It just seems natural to be rebellious.  Only with the passage of time do our children realize how grateful they are to have had you for a parent.  Well, maybe not that far, but certainly much more than they were when they were kids.

How can we get them from recalcitrant to resilient in a manner that works for all parties?  It has been a challenge for parents since the dawn of time.  How often have we heard, “my generation had more respect for their elders than this one”?  Upon reflection, we know that is not necessarily true, but proper relationships will help mold each family.

Professional advice and councel is not admitting defeat, it is asking for assistance in a very important and weighty family matter.  Start the New Year off right by contacting Metropolitan area child behaviorist Doctor Steven Sussman.  Dr. Sussman will talk to your kid about gratitude vs. attitude at his Mountainside, NJ office.  Call him for an appointment at (908) 217-8106.

Oppositional Defiance Disorder.

You have probably all heard of ADD, but what about ODD?  It is not as well known as a term of child behavior.  ODD stands for Oppositional Defiance Disorder.  Catching ODD at the right time is important because just about every kid goes through a phase of defiance.  When your child displays an ongoing pattern of defiance and argumentative behavior it may be time to address the situation.

Many children, even through their teenage years, may display other behaviors associated with ODD such as attention deficit disorder, mood disorders, anxiety, and even learning disabilities.  As time goes by they may even develop something called conduct disorder in which they display a pattern of disruptive and even violent personalities. 

It is important to notice and correct ODD at the right time.  If you suspect this may be a problem with your child, contact Metropolitan area oppositional defiance disorder Doctor Steven Sussman.  Dr. Sussman will assess your child’s condition and make recommendations from his Mountainside, NJ office.  Call him for an appointment at (908) 217-8106.

Teen and Pre-Teen Cyberbullying.

Like it or not it’s a brand new age.  Different things that we used to tolerate on the playground have become a national epidemic in the 2nd decade of the 21st century.  Even 10 years ago almost no one was familiar with the term “digital harassment”.  It is described as repeated behavior using today’s technology to bother, scare, or even threaten someone.

Cyberstalking is another term of which you may have heard.  How common is this?  Should we pay closer attention to it, or just brush off bullying like we used to do decades ago?  Believe it or not, nearly HALF of the teens surveyed reported to have been harassed by cyber bullying.  Nearly 3 out of 4 teens have seen it in action.  But, only about 1 in 10 ever bother to even report it!

Cyberbullying and cyberstalking are today’s reality and are very serious.  It has a strong chance of altering your child’s personality.  If your kid has been guilty of these activities or been a victim of them it may be time to take action.  Contact New York City area child psychotherapist Steven Sussman.  Dr. Sussman will assess your situation and make recommendations from one of his NYC area offices.  Call him for an appointment at (908) 217 8106.

Recognizing the Manic Phase of Bipolar.

Your child seems like he or she is on top of the world.  Nothing but happy happy joy joy all the time.  It seems great on the surface.  Then it happens, your youngster suddenly has an extreme bout of rage or depression.  In people with bipolar disorder these types of sudden, dramatic mood swings are all too common and difficult if not impossible for mom and dad to predict.

Typical of these symptoms is hyperactivity.  “Bouncing off the walls” is how some would refer to it.  This may promote risky behavior in your child that could cause harm to them or others.  You probably also will notice uncontrollable and rapid speech patterns.  They jump from topic to topic almost breathlessly becoming increasingly incoherent.

Dealing with the manic phase of bipolar disorder is at best challenging.  Doctor Steven Sussman may have the answers that you seek.  He will assess your children’s specific manic behavior and recommend the proper treatment unique to each individual.  Dr. Sussman maintains offices in Union County, New Jersey and Staten Island, New York.  Make an appointment at one of his offices today by calling (908) 217 8106.

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ADHD and Your Child.

When Johnny was young a lot of people told his mom that he was hyperactive.  As time and science evolved we learned to recognize ADHD.  This is how we refer to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.  Some kids may be inattentive only.  That was formally known simply as attention deficit disorder.  Some children are hyperactive and impulsive.

Any parent who sees these traits in their youngster has questions.  Among them are -

1.  Will my child outgrow ADHD?

2.  Does a child who exhibits these traits ALWAYS have ADHD?

3.  What causes it?

4.  And…is there a cure?

There are numerous factors that cause ADHD.  Some of them even trace back to genetics.  Doctor Steven Sussman may be an answer.  He will assess your children’s possible attention deficit hyperactivity disorder issues.  Dr. Sussman maintains offices in Union County, New Jersey and Staten Island, New York.  Make an appointment at one of his offices today to talk about your child’s specific issues by calling (908) 217-8106.

Bipolar Disorder in Children.

It is not as rare as you may think.  Over 5 million people in the United States suffer from bipolar disorder.  About 20% of those people have also been found to have borderline personality disorder.  When someone is diagnosed as bipolar it means they have a mental illness that can manifest itself with dramatic high and low mood swings.

Look for extreme elation in your child which may escalate out of control.  If your child may be bipolar 1 they could have a manic episode which might last a week or more and may even require hospitalization.  Bipolar II is much more common.  The symptoms are less severe and harder to diagnose.  Your youngster may even try to explain their feelings, but have great difficulty in doing so.

It may be time to call a professional in treating children who have been diagnosed as bipolar.  Doctor Steven Sussman may help you with your children’s possible bipolar disorder issues.  Dr. Sussman maintains offices in Union County, New Jersey and Staten Island, New York.  Make an appointment at one of his locations today to talk to you and your child by calling (908) 217 8106.