Entre Madres y Doctoras : Stress and Anxiety in Adolescents

• Entre Madres y Doctoras discuss the issue of stress and anxiety in adolescents.
• It’s important to remember that this also affects parents.
• You must not forget that to be able to help your child or children, you also need to take care of your own mental health.

Today, doctors and mothers Edith and Evelyn Bracho-Sanchez discuss the concern about the increase in anxiety and depression in children and adolescents.

They focus on the importance of helping children to deal with their emotions from an early age as a preventive measure for future mental health problems.

The hosts tackle the topic of raising children with emotional intelligence. They highlight the need for parents to get involved in the process of teaching their children to recognize and manage their emotions.

They also mention the importance of being consistent in the way parents handle their own emotions and behaviors.

Parents and Their Health

Emotional Education for Parents. Dr. Barbara Robles, a child psychiatrist and Latina mother, emphasizes that the mental health of the family is not just the responsibility of mothers.

Both parents must work together to learn to talk about their emotions and understand how these affect their behavior and social relationships. The need for ongoing education on this topic is stressed.

The Importance of Family Communication. They mention that it is crucial to establish spaces for open and honest communication within the family.

Parents should be able to talk about their own emotions and concerns, as well as allowing their children to express theirs. This creates a conducive environment for addressing mental health issues.

Signs of Anxiety in Adolescents

Adapting to the Needs of the Children. Another topic was the difficulty for working parents with busy schedules to find quality time with their children.

They suggest being innovative in finding ways to adapt schedules and seeking support from the community, such as grandparents or other family members, when possible to provide more attention and calmness to the children.

Recognizing Early Signs of Anxiety and Depression. They emphasize the importance of being alert to the early signs of anxiety and depression in children.

These signs may include changes in behavior, difficulties sleeping, changes in eating patterns, and problems with emotional adjustment.

Anxiety in Parents

Parents are advised to seek professional help if they notice that these mental health issues persist and affect the daily functioning of the child.

How to Manage Parents’ Stress and Anxiety. They mention strategies for parents to manage their own stress and anxiety, such as practicing mindfulness, creating transition rituals between work and family time, and setting aside the phone to be present with their children.

Open Conversations with Teachers and Caregivers. The importance of maintaining open communication with children’s teachers and caregivers is underlined to stay informed about how children are feeling and behaving outside the home.

They also highlight the need to address any comment or label that may negatively affect children’s self-esteem.

You Don’t Have to Be Infallible

Recognition of Parents’ Humanity. It is emphasized that parents are human and make mistakes.

The importance of apologizing to children when necessary is mentioned, thereby modeling responsible and empathetic behavior.

Being a mother or father is not a task as everyone thinks, as there are moments when you question what you are doing, but the important thing is to know that you don’t have to be perfect or flawless on this journey.

For now, Entre Madres y Doctoras says goodbye and thanks you for your attention. You’re doing well!