Mother Says Pediatric Health System Fails Children During Mental Health Crisis
A mother named Liz Koch says the pediatric healthcare system cannot help when her child experiences psychosis. She wrote that there is no off switch when the crisis involves your own child.
Liz Koch shared her experience dealing with her child's psychosis and the healthcare system's inability to provide adequate help. She described the situation as having no off switch when the crisis involves your own child.
Psychosis in children involves hearing or seeing things that aren't real, along with strong beliefs not based in reality. These experiences cause severe stress and major changes in behavior. The condition can also make children want to harm themselves or others.
The problem extends beyond individual families. Primary care doctors and pediatricians increasingly serve as the main treatment providers for children with psychiatric illnesses. Many work through patient-centered medical homes and consultation services to fill gaps in specialized care.
Treatment typically combines medication and therapy, and children can get better with the right approach. However, the current system often struggles to provide immediate help during mental health emergencies involving young patients.
Many parents face similar struggles when their children have mental health emergencies. The gaps in pediatric mental healthcare can leave families without proper support during dangerous situations.
More families may share similar experiences as awareness grows about gaps in pediatric mental healthcare.
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