How social media affects your teen mental health?
- February 6, 2023
- Child & Adolescent Mental Health, Parenting and Families
- admin
- 2 Comments
The effects of social media on the mental health of adolescents can be complex and multi-faceted. Research has shown that there are both positive and negative effects associated with social media use among teens.
One of the potential negative effects of social media on adolescent mental health is that it can contribute to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Adolescents may compare themselves unfavorably to their peers on social media and feel that they are not measuring up. This can lead to feelings of low self-esteem and self-worth. Additionally, social media can be a breeding ground for cyberbullying, which can also contribute to feelings of loneliness, isolation, and depression among teens.
On the other hand, social media can also have positive effects on adolescent mental health. For example, it can be a way for teens to connect with others who share similar interests and experiences. It can also be a way for teens to access information and support for mental health issues.
Additionally, research suggests that the amount of time spent on social media, rather than the platform itself, could be a stronger predictor of the negative effects on adolescent’s mental health. Studies found that excessive social media use, defined as more than two hours per day, is associated with a higher risk of depression and anxiety among adolescents.
To promote positive mental health among adolescents, it’s important to encourage healthy use of social media by setting limits on screen time, being aware of the content that adolescents are viewing, and fostering open lines of communication to discuss any concerns about online behavior.
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To get the most benefit out of your experience, we recommend that you make sure of the following:
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Filling in the online intake form that you will receive after booking
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Kindly note that this is a prerequisite for booking your spot. In case the online form is not filled before you show up at the clinic, please make sure to arrive at least 30 minutes early to fill it at the clinic before your appointment.
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This is highly recommended as it will help you save time, orient you to the session and allows more time for the therapist to go through your needs.
Bringing in any relevant documents that could be of help (ex: previous psychological test results, reports, educational or school reports, previous and/or current medication prescriptions, imaging, lab tests, etc.)
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Clinical assessments will include an interview of the child and their caregivers.
Informing your child beforehand about their visit to the clinic will help lessen their anxiety and develop a fruitful connection between the child and the therapist.
“We’re going to talk to a specialist about how you’re feeling and thinking to help you get better.” “When one person in our family is having a tough time, we all need help. This specialist is going to help us.”
You may further add that this will be done through talking, playing, and carrying out different activities during their time with the specialist.
A clinical assessment is an approach that uses an array of methods used by mental health practitioners to evaluate the mental health wellbeing and functioning of clients who are experiencing psychological difficulties. This will help take you to the first step through your journey of mental health wellness.
By the end of your assessment, you will receive information regarding: (infographic)
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Main problem(s) to be targeted and possible contributing factors
An overview of the treatment plan including the best matching psychotherapy methods
What to expect from therapy
We provide a wide range of psychological assessments to different age groups:
- Intelligence tests
- Autism assessments
- ADHD assessments for children
- ADHD assessments for adults
- Learning difficulties assessments
- Behavioral and emotional assessments
- Depression and anxiety tests
- Personality assessment
- Cognitive assessments for adults and elderly (MoCA and CAMCOG)
These are structured psychological tests carried out and interpreted by trained mental health experts. It provides accurate quantitative data about certain psychological functions. Psychological assessment has many values:
- For children:
- Provides better insight into a child’s cognitive, educational, social, and behavioral development.
- Inform caregivers, schoolteachers and mental health professionals about the strength points of children and the areas of need that require accommodation or management
- For adults and elderly:
- Assist in diagnosis of mental disorders like depression, anxiety and obsessions
- Provides benchmark of the severity of the condition for further follow ups
- Identify personality dimensions that helps in tailoring the management plan
- Assess cognitive functions (e.g. attention, memory and executive functions) to help in diagnosis of dementia and to tailor the cognitive rehabilitation programs
During advanced stages of dementia, elderly people might require to be admitted in a care home. The clinic team provides suggestion on the need for that and recommended places. Also our team cooperate with the residential home management to provide clinical support and follow up.
With online therapy, help is one click away. Listed below are some of the advantages of online therapy:
- Saves time and cuts down commuting in traffic costs.
- Ensures the continuity of therapy in situations where you cannot make it to the clinic such as travelling to a different city or country.
- Convenient since choosing available time slots is more flexible according to your availability and you can have the session at your comfort zone.
- The accessibility of sessions via your computer, laptop, tablet, or phone.
Choose your therapist and book your online session via our clinic contacts. A guide will be sent to you including the link to the session and a reminder of the online regulations and procedures.
- Be prepared 10 minutes before the session to check the internet connectivity and online platform used.
- It is advised to have a back up internet source
- Update your browser and application used
- Make sure your mobile/ laptop battery is fully charged.
- Make sure you are in a quiet and private room with good lighting. Choose your setting to face the light source
- Use earphones with microphone for better quality of sound
- An alternative mobile number or landline should be provided and ready for use in case of internet disconnection
Set-up a private room and a comfortable chair for your child.
Find a suitable pair of headphones that comfortably fit your child’s head for better sound quality and remember that the sound is more important than the picture.
For good picture quality during video sessions, make sure that light is not shining directly on the screen. Lighting your child from behind the screen is always best.
Use a phone rather than a desktop computer. By allowing your child to use a mobile phone and headphones. This gives your child the ability to move around whilst talking, if they’re still struggling to sit in one place or find a private space at home.
Prepare tools needed to be used during the session e.g. white board, marker and a toy
We provide:
· Scientifically supported and evidenced-based therapies.
· Individualized for the need of each client with an integrated approach where more than one modality could be combined as best fits the client.
· Supervised by a faculty of experts in the field.
CBT is a form of therapy that focuses on how we think about ourselves and the world around us and looks at the impact of our thoughts on how we feel and behave.
When we have negative or unrealistic views about ourselves or the world, it can make us feel down, anxious or upset.
Therapists will discuss your problems with you and helps to train your mind via several techniques to challenge your belief system and help you move forwards.
Therapist teach you to mange your emotions and change your behavior.
CBT has been proven to be effective for a number of problems including: depression, anxiety, panic disorders, phobia, and OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder).
CBT provides you with a toolkit of techniques which you can go on to use for the rest of your life.
DBT balances a focus on change and problem solving with acceptance and validation. Its focus is to teach people how to live in the moment, develop healthy ways to cope with stress, regulate their emotions, and improve their relationships with others. DBT is a recommended therapeutic intervention for BPD (borderline personality disorder) and other mental disorders. It is delivered in individual and group therapy sessions.
Acceptance and commitment therapy is a psychological intervention that uses acceptance and mindfulness strategies mixed with strategies of behavioral modification to promote psychological flexibility.
ACT does not seek to eliminate difficult feelings; rather, the client is encouraged to be present with what life brings them and to move toward what matters (such as life values and meaning). Its therapeutic effect is a positive spiral where feeling better leads to a better understanding of the individual’s own truth.
EMDR is a powerful psychotherapy approach that has been proven to be very effective in working with trauma like PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and a wide variety of psychiatric disorders.
Memories become “frozen in time” and remembering a traumatic experience may feel as bad as going through it the first time because the images, sounds, smells, and feelings have not changed and are somehow locked in our systems. Such memories have a lasting negative effect that interferes with the way a person sees the world and the way they relate to other people.
EMDR has a direct effect on the way that the brain processes these memories in the sense that the person no longer relives the images, sounds and feelings when the event is recalled.
While you may still remember what happened, EMDR helps you feel less upset about it because it will be transformed into an integrated and well-adapted memory. That will result in less flashbacks and nightmares about the traumatic events.
– It doesn’t require any artistic skills to make use of Art therapy. It is carried out by therapist with dual qualification in psychology and contemporary art.
– Play therapy
While it may seem like an ordinary playtime, play therapy is much more than that. It is a form of therapy used primarily with children. That’s because children may not be able to process their own emotions or articulate problems to parents or other adults.
An expert therapist can use playtime to observe and gain insights into a child’s problems. The therapist can then help the child explore emotions and deal with unresolved trauma. Through play, children can learn new coping mechanisms and how to redirect inappropriate behaviors.
- – Behavior therapy :
Behavior therapy is a very effective therapy for many behavior problems, bedwetting and bad habits and children and adolescents. It helps children to learn new behavior. It is suitable for young children.
- – Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT is one of the most effective forms of therapy for children and adolescents with anxiety, depression and behavioral problems. It helps youth to reframe their thoughts and reactions to negative emotions and experiences and teaches them specific skills to deal with adversities. Children could use CBT starting from 8 years old.
– Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
DBT is a form of CBT for teenagers who experience trouble managing or regulating their emotions. It is especially helpful for youth who struggle with impulsive behaviors, mood swings, self-injurious and suicidal behaviors, depression, anxiety, poor coping skills amongst others. Components of DBT include understanding and regulating emotions, tolerating distress, practicing mindfulness, learning new problem solving skills and maintaining satisfying relationships with others.
– Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
ACT is based on helping youth accept and embrace their thoughts and feelings instead of fighting them or feeling guilty about them. This will in turn help them take actions and move towards what is important and meaningful in their lives. Youth with anxiety and depression can benefit from this form of therapy.
- – Eye Movement and Desensitization Reprocessing therapy (EMDR)
Many children get exposed to several types of traumatic events like loss, bullying, sexual and physical abuse. Recognized by the WHO in 2013, EMDR is an effective therapy for children and adolescents who have experienced traumatic events as it has been found to reduce post traumatic stress and other mental health issues such as depression and anxiety in youth.
After experiencing psychological trauma, memories become “frozen in time” and remembering this event may feel as bad as going through it the first time. Such memories have a lasting negative effect that interferes with the way child or youth see the world and relate to other people. This form of therapy has a direct effect on the way that the brain processes these memories, in the sense that the person no longer relives the images, sounds and feelings with all the related stressful symptoms when the event is recalled.
In session the therapist asks the child to think about the upsetting event and the therapist help the child to process it using bilateral brain stimulation (eye movements, tapping, drumming)
In very young children we use the same techniques while the child is engaged in playing and sometimes in the presence of parents.
Parenting as beautiful as it is, can become an overwhelming experience especially with new parents or when there are other issues at play within the family such as certain challenging or stressful situations.
It is also important to mention that seeing a counselor is not only intended for parents who feel their family is in crisis or their child is acting out in extreme ways, but it may also be helpful to speak to someone around parenting in general to improve communication and enhance relationships both in and out of the family. Positive and consistent communication is key for the children to understand what is expected of them. Even “parents-to-be” can benefit for parenting skill training program provided by parenting experts.
Problems you face in family contexts may affect your personal relationships, career, schoolwork, health, etc. This is when family therapy could be the targeted modality for you. Family therapy is a psychological modality that requires the participation of the identified client (child or youth) as well as other family members to resolve issues as one unit. It is an approach that is based on providing a safe place to share feelings, thoughts and experiences. Through a number of techniques, families are assisted on learning effective ways of overcoming conflict, enhancing basic communication skills, modifying unhealthy dynamics within the family interactions, and learning better-coping strategies.
This type of therapy can help your whole family function better as a unit. It can help you work through any issues and find a way of mutually moving on.
A thorough assessment is key to accurate diagnosis and effective management plan. This will take place in the first sessions with the client.
By the end of your assessment, you will receive information regarding:
– Main problem(s) to be targeted and possible contributing factors
– An overview of the treatment plan including the best matching psychotherapy methods
– What to expect from therapy?
Subsequent assessments could be carried out as required during therapy, to determine recent improvements or deteriorations, and before closure of therapy.
The clinic provides home-visits by a well-trained team of old age specialist psychiatrists and psychologists to provide clinical assessment at the client’s own home. This service is highly recommended for elderly clients with mobility difficulties or to clients with behavioral disturbances to allow for privacy and dignity of our clients. The assessment includes mental state assessment and assessment of cognitive functions (clinically and by structured tests)
The assessment will be reviewed by the consultant and a management plan including follow-up visits and online sessions will be provided to the client’s family and careers. Cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) sessions could be delivered to our clients by well-trained psychologists.