MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Marylandian -- As summer winds down and school bells begin to ring again, many families notice more than just new routines. As a Memphis child psychiatrist, I often see children and teens becoming more irritable, withdrawn, or anxious during this transition. For those with mood disorders, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, or emotional regulation challenges, the return to school can feel overwhelming—not just exciting.

The back-to-school transition is a particularly vulnerable period for mental health. Emergency room visits for pediatric mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression, consistently rise in the fall and spring compared to summer. It's not just the Memphis heat! Teens report more stress, depressive symptoms, and daily hassles during school semesters than during vacations. These findings emphasize what we see in clinical care: transitions carry emotional weight.

Signs of Stress Aren't Always Obvious

Mental distress in youth often appears in the body before it's expressed in words. Stomachaches, headaches, sleep disturbances, and school refusal can all reflect a child's underlying anxiety. These physical symptoms are key indicators of nervous system dysregulation. The transition to a new grade, school, or peer group may feel emotionally jarring, especially for students with pre-existing vulnerabilities.

The shift from elementary to middle school or middle to high school is especially challenging. These developmental milestones demand increased independence, academic pressure, and social adaptation, all factors that can intensify internal stress for children and adolescents.

Evidence-Based Ways to Support Your Child

Fortunately, structured support and early intervention are proven to help. Predictability is soothing to the nervous system. Re-establishing routines—consistent sleep, meals, and screen use—before the school year begins can reduce distress.

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Parents can help ease transitions by previewing school settings, introducing new schedules gradually, and offering calm, supportive conversations. Research shows that strong parent-child communication directly supports better emotional regulation and lowers anxiety levels.

When to Seek Professional Help from a Memphis Child Psychiatrist

While some children adjust quickly, others may show prolonged signs of distress—ongoing mood changes, sleep disruption, irritability, or school avoidance. These symptoms deserve clinical attention, especially if they persist beyond the first few weeks of school.

Our Memphis clinic offers evidence-based care tailored to each child's needs, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), parent coaching, and medications. Child psychiatrists are physicians trained to assess and treat a wide range of issues, including developmental disorders, emotional and behavioral problems, and psychiatric disorders. This involves a combination of medical expertise, psychological understanding, and specialized training in child development. As a Memphis child psychiatrist, I often work with other professionals such as pediatricians, psychotherapists, speech and language pathologists, occupational, and physical therapists, and educators to provide comprehensive care. Whether you're looking to support a child with anxiety, ADHD, autism, depression, or school stress, we're here to help families build resilience together!

Seven Ways Parents and Caregivers Can Help

1. Establish predictable routines for sleep, meals, and screen use before school starts.
2. Visit the school environment if your school allows—walk through class schedules or bus routes with your child.
3. Talk about school feelings openly. For example, ask what they're excited or nervous about!
4. Watch for physical symptoms like stomachaches, headaches, or sleep disruption.
5. Model calm and flexible responses to stressful situations.
6. Seek clinical support early if distress persists, especially with mood or behavior changes. Mental health professionals can work together with educational systems to help support academic, social, and psychological functioning.
7. Use mindfulness, relaxation, and CBT strategies to help your child regulate emotions. A simple deep breathing exercise can do wonders!

Transitions don't have to be overwhelming. With the right combination of structure, support, and professional care, your child can thrive!

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By:   Dr. Adam Chan, MD, Board-Certified Psychiatrist

Child, Adolescent, Adult and Interventional Psychiatry

A fourth generation Memphian, Dr. Adam Chan returned home after completing his Bachelors of Science (B.S.) in Neuroscience & Behavioral Biology at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, and medical degree (M.D.) from East Tennessee State University (ETSU) Quillen College of Medicine in the beautiful foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. At the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, he completed both a general psychiatry residency and his child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship training, serving as the Chief Resident and Chief Fellow of Administration. He currently holds a Clinical Assistant Professor appointment in the UTHSC Department of Psychiatry and continues contributing on the local and national levels, having been inducted into two national medical honor societies: Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) and Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS).

Synaptic Psych:  871 Ridgeway Loop, Suite 108, Memphis, Tennessee 38120

To learn more or schedule a consultation, contact our clinic at 901-295-0110 or visit our website at https://hopeforyourbrain.com/memphis-clinic/