In this week’s show, I speak with child psychiatrist Dr. David Axelson about how parents can tell if their child’s quirkiness, high energy level, anxiety, or sad mood is typical child behavior or warrants assessment from a professional. Dr. Axelson is an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Director of the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Services out-patient program at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC. He is a recognized expert in the field of child psychiatry, with a special focus on bipolar disorder, and has been featured on the PBS Frontline special, “The Medicated Child.” He also has been quoted by the Washington Post, New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Atlanta Constitution-Journal and iVillage. On top of all that, he’s my husband!

During our conversation, I take advantage of an hour of Dave’s undivided attention to find out: what parents should keep an eye out for in their children, what they should do if they do suspect a problem, how to decide what professional to turn to for advice and treatment, whether parents should worry about a psychiatrist pressuring them into medication, and what the changes in the Diagnostic Services Manual might mean for families. We talk about everything from ADHD, to autism, to depression and anxiety.

If you are interested in following up on Dave’s resources recommendation, you can find the Facts for Families on the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry’s website as well as the books that he mentioned in their online store.

I will be blogging on my family’s journey with my son’s obsessive compulsive disorder and ADHD on my blog at Playdate Planet and I invite you to continue the conversation with me there.