Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Blog | Scottsdale, AZ

Helpful guidance for Scottsdale parents navigating ADHD, anxiety, depression, autism, behavioral challenges, school difficulties, and social concerns in children, teens, and young adults.

Dr. Fariba Pfitzner shares professional insights to help families better understand what their child may be experiencing, when to seek help, and what treatment options may be available.

Why Is My Child Having Trouble Making Friends at School? A Guide | Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist Scottsdale AZ | Holistic Psychiatry Scottsdale

Why Is My Child Having Trouble Making Friends at School? A Guide

This guide explores why children may have trouble making friends at school, from normal shyness and changing peer dynamics to bullying, anxiety, ADHD, autism spectrum differences, and low mood. It offers practical at-home strategies, school collaboration tips, warning signs to watch for, and guidance on when a psychiatric evaluation may help.
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School Anxiety: When Crying or Refusing School Is More Than a Phase | Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist Scottsdale AZ | Holistic Psychiatry Scottsdale

School Anxiety: When Crying or Refusing School Is More Than a Phase

This article helps parents recognize when school anxiety, crying, or school refusal may be more than a temporary adjustment. It explains potential causes, warning signs, practical first steps, when to seek a child psychiatric evaluation, and urgent safety guidance for Scottsdale families.
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My Child Is Being Bullied at School: Emotional Coping Help for Parents | Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist Scottsdale AZ | Holistic Psychiatry Scottsdale

My Child Is Being Bullied at School: Emotional Coping Help for Parents

This article helps parents respond when a child is being bullied at school by listening supportively, recognizing emotional warning signs, creating a safety plan, and collaborating with school staff. It also explains when bullying-related distress may warrant professional mental health support and provides resources for Scottsdale families.
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Why Kids Struggle With Homework, Focus, Reading, and Memory Skills | Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist Scottsdale AZ | Holistic Psychiatry Scottsdale

Why Kids Struggle With Homework, Focus, Reading, and Memory Skills

This article explains why children may struggle with homework, focus, reading, and memory, including attention and executive-function difficulties, learning differences, anxiety, mood concerns, stress, and sleep problems. It offers practical at-home strategies, guidance for partnering with schools, warning signs that indicate additional support may be needed, and information about psychiatric evaluation services in Scottsdale.
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My Child Keeps Getting in Trouble at School: When to Seek Help | Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist Scottsdale AZ | Holistic Psychiatry Scottsdale

My Child Keeps Getting in Trouble at School: When to Seek Help

Repeated school discipline problems may signal underlying challenges with attention, anxiety, mood, learning, social stress, or emotional regulation. The article helps parents identify concerning patterns, collaborate with schools, know when urgent help is needed, and understand how a child psychiatric evaluation can help.
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Teen Anxiety Scottsdale Help: Signs, Support, and Next Steps | Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist Scottsdale AZ | Holistic Psychiatry Scottsdale

Teen Anxiety Scottsdale Help: Signs, Support, and Next Steps

Teen anxiety can affect school attendance, friendships, sleep, concentration, and family life, even when a young person appears to be functioning on the surface. This guide helps Scottsdale parents recognize meaningful warning signs, start supportive conversations, understand evaluation and treatment options, and know when urgent help is needed.
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