Meet the Experts

Dr. Samantha Eve Morris

Supervisor of Healthcare Integration, Pediatric Outpatient with Banyan Health Systems

Videos

Depression: Genetics vs. Environment

Dr. Samantha Eve Morris, Supervisor of Healthcare Integration, Pediatric Outpatient with Banyan Health Systems, says they are aware of genetic predisposition about depression, but they are also alert about environmental factors. The specialist affirms they take a full systemic approach to look what can be causing any of the symptoms of depression. Family history is a risk factor, and they have to do all the questions about it, because a lot of components could be related. Children and teens are vulnerable population and it’s important to help parents to manage any situation.

Treating Anxiety Disorders

Dr. Samantha Eve Morris, Supervisor of Healthcare Integration, Pediatric Outpatient with Banyan Health Systems, talks about treatments for anxiety disorders. She affirms they use in therapy their solution focus and cognitive behavioral therapies. Physicians use those tools for depression, and for treat anxiety, in combination with psychiatry. Treatment can use medication, psychotherapy and behavioral therapies in order to help children. She also explains cognitive behavioral therapy is used for identify things that can affect children’s behavior.

Pediatric Behavioral Health Screenings

Behavioral Health Screenings are an essential portion of the integrated care process. They allow for early detection, identification, prevention and treatment of multitude of behavioral health disorders, explains Dr. Samantha Eve Morris, Supervisor of Healthcare Integration, Pediatric Outpatient with Banyan Health Systems. This screenings are done by parents and children in order to have a better diagnosis when they visit the physician for the pediatric annual control. The expert explains with this screening, they can treat the person as a whole: the behavioral aspects, and the medical aspects in one centralized location. Also, she talks about the Pediatric outpatient services.

Screening Drug Tests in Children

In cases of drug screening, if pediatricians find any kind of substance, they would immediately call DCF, affirms Dr. Samantha Eve Morris, Supervisor of Healthcare Integration, Pediatric Outpatient with Banyan Health Systems. The expert says they start screening patients at 12. That’s based on the American Academy of Pediatrics, but if a child has ingested something, or is given something before that age, they can do the screening. Alcohol and tobacco, usually, are top substances used by this age group. Physicians want to know why these children and teens are using them, how frequently they’re using them, what they’re using them, she explains.

Dealing with Anxiety Disorders

There are several symptoms of anxiety in children: recurring fears & worries, physical complaints, like stomachache or headache, trouble concentrating, trouble sleeping, fear of social situations, fear of leaving home, fear of separation from a loved one and refusing to go to school. Dr. Samantha Eve Morris, Supervisor of Healthcare Integration, Pediatric Outpatient with Banyan Health Systems, affirms when the symptoms interfere with the daily life, the child and his family have a serious problem. Early identification of the symptoms is important to prevent exacerbation of the problem. The expert explains they have assessment tools to help to identify what type of anxiety the child could have.

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