Pain and mental illnesses coexist, often more than any of other illnesses. Both of them have a profound effect on a child's child's quality of life, individually. Now imagine the magnitude of impact when they co-exist.
In this episode, Dr. Anjana Kundu, with guest speaker Dr. Mirabelle Mattar, a child, and adolescent psychiatrist, discusses the intricate and dynamic relationship between pediatric pain and mental health, likely cause or affect and prognosis for a child with pain in the setting of mental health issues or vice-versa. They also discussed the factors which may predispose a child to a higher risk of chronic pain and mental problems, role of trauma, PTSD and other adverse events on pediatric pain.
Takeaways In This Episode:
- How Dr. Mattar became interested and her journey to the intersection of pediatric mental health and pain
- Some unexpected discovery during this journey among children with chronic pain
- Importance of understanding the effects of chronic pain on mental health in children.
- What is the sequence of occurrence when pain and mental health issues co-exist and how does it matter.
- What should the focus of treatment entail
- Impact of regaining function and improving mental health
- Common chronic pain conditions associated with mental illnesses and vice versa
- Influence of trauma, ACES and PTSD on children's pain
- When to consult a mental health professional for a child with pain issues
- Diagnosing conversion disorder
- Ways to work with the entire family unit especially when mental health and physical health issues are tangled.
- A Message to YOU from Dr. Mattar
Links
Mirabelle Mattar, MD
Clinicians' Pain Evaluation Toolkit
Proactive Pain Solutions
About the Guest Speaker
Mirabelle Mattar, MD
