When your child seems unhappy or anxious, it can be difficult to know what to do. Is this just a temporary thing? Are they responding to something happening in their life? Do we need to get professional help?
If you’re a parent in Surrey considering a psychiatrist, then understanding when to seek advice and what an assessment actually involves can help make a difficult decision feel much more manageable.
You don’t need a specific diagnosis in mind before asking for help. Even if you’ve just noticed a change in your child’s behaviour or feel that everyday life is becoming increasingly difficult for them, a psychiatrist might be able to help.
Childhood and adolescence is a time of non-stop changes; changes in mood, changes in confidence and changes in behaviour. They might be starting a new school or having friendship difficulties. Sometimes even family changes can affect how they feel.
What matters is how intense or persistent the difficulties are, as well as whether they’re getting worse and how much they affect their daily life.
Signs worth discussing with a professional include:
None of these signs guarantee a diagnosis on their own. Rather, they indicate that your child may need help in understanding what they’re experiencing. The NHS recommends seeking advice if low mood or anxiety persists, or if you have serious concerns about how your child is feeling or acting.
A helpful starting point is usually talking to a GP, school SENCO or mental health professional. They can discuss your concerns and explain the support available, such as CAMHS (NHS children and young people’s mental health services.
A child psychiatrist is a medical doctor specialising in children’s and teenagers’ mental health. Their assessment considers a child’s emotional wellbeing alongside their development, physical health, family circumstances and education.
Specialist psychiatric input may also be helpful if their difficulties are severe, complex and affecting several areas of life despite already having support. Psychiatrists are especially helpful if you have questions about potential diagnoses or whether medication might be appropriate.
Not every child experiencing difficulties needs a psychiatrist. Many children may instead benefit more from a combination of psychological therapy, school adjustments or family support.
If you book a child mental health assessment in Guildford, the first appointment will usually be about gathering information from both you and your child.
The psychiatrist may explore:
If you can, bring along any relevant school reports, previous clinical letters and examples of difficulties. Feel free to ask the clinic about what you should bring with you beforehand.
An assessment is an opportunity for both the parent and child to explain their experiences and ask any questions. The psychiatrist might discuss a potential diagnosis, but further information or appointments will often be needed before any conclusions are reached.
Your observations matter – and so does your child’s own understanding of what’s happening.
Depending on their age and needs, the psychiatrist may want to speak with them separately. The clinician will explain confidentiality and its limits, including circumstances where information needs to be shared to protect someone’s safety.
Make sure to explain to your child what the appointment is as simply as possible. For example, “it’s a chance to talk with someone who helps young people with their feelings and difficulties.” If they feel comfortable, invite your child to write down any questions they want to ask the psychiatrist or feelings and experiences they want them to understand.
Attention difficulties, restlessness and impulsivity don’t automatically mean your child has ADHD. They can have a wide range of different explanations. An ADHD assessment needs to consider the broader picture, rather than simply relying on a few behaviours on a checklist.
If you’re looking for a child ADHD assessment in Surrey, make sure to ask about the specific assessment pathway. This may involve developmental history, questionnaires and information from school as well as parents or carers.
A general psychiatric consultation and a specialist ADHD assessment are not necessarily interchangeable, so clarify which appointment is appropriate before booking.
Any recommendations depend on the assessment, but they often include psychological therapy, practical support for parents, school adjustments or medication where appropriate.
For many children and teenagers, cognitive behavioural therapy in Surrey (CBT) may form part of their treatment. CBT helps young people to understand connections between their thoughts, feelings and behaviour, and teaches them strategies to manage their difficulties.
Medication is not an automatic outcome of an assessment. If medication is suggested, the clinician will explain its purpose, potential benefits, any risks, and how they will monitor the child on the medication.
At Dr Jo Gee Psychological Therapies and Surrey Psychiatry, our child and adolescent psychiatry service supports young people and families in Guildford and across Surrey.
Contact our team to discuss your concerns and the assessment process. Before booking, ask about suitability, appointment length, fees and follow-up arrangements.
You do not need to wait until you know what’s wrong to ask for advice.