Whether you’re becoming a parent for the first time or the fourth, your baby’s birth can be just as overwhelming as it is joyful. Parents must navigate a new normal, while balancing the needs of mom’s own healing with the new baby’s needs. On top of that, they’re also managing the expectations of well-meaning family […]
Patient Experience Spotlight: Nancy Blanchard
Every day at Akron Children’s, we strive to deliver compassionate care and create positive experiences for our patients and families. This month, we’re spotlighting Nancy Blanchard, a parent partner in Akron Children’s inpatient behavioral health unit, who recently received the following feedback from a patient family: “I appreciate the parent partner (Nancy Blanchard). Finally, I […]
Kent State University student describes how she overcame depression, panic disorder and social anxiety
Melaina Uhrig, age 19, has always been a singer. She enjoyed it so much that she joined her church choir and later, the Summit Choral Society children’s choir program. Being in front of and among people never bothered Melaina until she started high school. That’s when she lost joy in almost everything that previously gave […]
Helping teens tame their negative inner voice
If your teen struggles to shut down the pessimistic voice inside their head, you can help them view things differently by teaching them to challenge their negative thoughts. “In times of stress, we don’t always think rationally,” said Dr. Kevin Triemstra, pediatric psychologist at Akron Children’s. “For example, thinking you’re going to fail a test, […]
Stress and anxiety: How can I help my child cope?
Stress is a natural part of life. Everyone feels stress at times—even kids—and occasional anxiety is a normal reaction to the stress we feel. Kids may be stressed or worried about school or grades, juggling responsibilities and activities, problems with friends, or moving schools. They might even feel stress at home with the loss of […]
Kids and video games: the good and the bad
Chances are your kids play video games, or someday they will. You may worry about the time they spend with a controller in hand and wonder if these games are bad for them. “It’s not as simple as it’s good or it’s bad,” said child psychiatrist Dr. Sumru Bilge-Johnson of the Division of Pediatric Psychiatry and Psychology at […]