New Child Psychiatric Help Available In The Permian Basin
By: Katiera Winfrey
Updated: January 11, 2013
"Every time I would have to discharge a patient, I would have difficulty finding a child psychiatrist," said Pepermintwala.
After noticing a problem, he decided to open up his own child adolescent and adult psychiatric practice in the Midland Memorial Hospital West Campus despite the shortage of child psychiatric help he's seen very few patients.
"People do not look at psychiatric problem as a legitimate problem," said Pepermintwala. "Like oh, it's okay you'll be fine. Talk to the preacher talk to the teacher. They don't allow the child to vent allow the child to speak their mind."
He says overlooking the signs of psychiatric stress could be dangerous.
"What happens is they end up getting depressed. Depression progresses to the point that they think of suicide and sometimes commit suicide."
Noticing the signs before it progresses further could potentially hold off or even prevent a serious breakdown that could lead to hospitalization.
"Pay more attention to how your child responds to what you say. How he responds to what happens around him. How he responds to school success of failure."
Pepermintwala says there are a few key signs to look for:
-Decline in Academic Performance
-Parental Defiance
-Clash with Friends
Although he isn't offering inpatient care, it's one more option for child psychiatric help.
"It's important for the community to open up and accessing this help that is available," said Pepermintwala.
Click here for information on the River Crest facility in San Angelo
Click here for information on the Acadia Health facility in Abilene.
