Author: Scrambled Podcast

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-utbxt-1402e57

In episode 47 of Scrambled, Nikki and Chad discuss how anxiety can change over time and what signs of problematic anxiety might appear in infants, toddlers, school age children, tweens, and teens.

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-a79y8-13e35b8

In episode 46, Chad and Nikki talk about the importance of continuing to bring awareness to mental health.

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-ywib5-13db93f

Parenting has evolved a great deal over time. In episode 45, Nikki and Chad illustrate that changes in how we view mental health as a society parallel the evolution of parenting over the same timeframe, resulting in a more empathetic and connected perspective for both today.

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-5a2br-13c8f98

Lynnae, a Pediatric Occupational Therapist, joins Nikki and Chad for episode 44 and shares what Sensory Processing Disorders are, what they can look like in children, and how and when to ask for professional help. Their conversation highlights the overlap between childhood mental health disorders and difficulties with sensory processing. 

Lynnae recommends these resources for more information about Sensory Processing Disorders:

Mama OT

Sensory Processing Disorder

Lemon Lime Adventures

The OT Toolbox

Self-regulation and mindfulness; Over 82 exercises & worksheets for sensory processing disorder, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorder by Varleisha D. Gibbs

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-zjrnq-13b2292

Avoidance. Procrastination. Stubborn behavior. All of these things are related to anxiety. In this episode, Chad and Nikki discuss anxiety-related avoidant behaviors and share ideas for navigating these challenges with anxious children.

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-6f6vd-1398204

While this podcast focuses on children’s mental health, this episode is about parent and caregiver mental health and serves as a reminder to be sure to take care of yourself too. Nikki and Chad share ideas for how and when to check in on your own mental health so you can be at your best while modeling healthy self-care for your children.

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-xzyts-138744f

Many parents, including Chad and Nikki, resort to making threats to change their kids’ difficult behaviors. Even though it may feel instinctive to threaten to take away your child’s phone or another privilege when they are being uncooperative, this episode is a conversation about why that rarely works and what you can try instead. Spoiler Alert: Threats come from our brain stem but skills and solutions come from our frontal lobe!

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-ycxn9-136c4d2

Masking, a term that can be seen circulating on social media, may seem like a new idea but is something many people do to cover up their mental health symptoms. Nikki and Chad talk about what mental masking is and discuss the implications of this for children and adults.

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-uqk3k-1363d90

Executive function, or the skills that help us organize, plan ahead, pay attention, control impulses, and many other important life skills are the focus of this episode, in which Chad and Nikki discuss the connection between common childhood mental health conditions and difficulties with executive functioning skills.

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-nucc6-135202e

The title of this episode might be how many people look at therapy and medication in the treatment of mental health symptoms: see a therapist or take medicine, which is better? In reality though, it doesn’t have to be one over the other. Therapy and medication together are often the best way to treat mental health conditions at any age. Chad and Nikki discuss when to consider psychotropic medication, when not to consider them, and other important information to keep in mind when making decisions about psychiatric medication.