Next Step 4 Mental Health

08/25/2025

As the new school year begins, many teens experience a mix of excitement and anxiety. For some, the prospect of returning to school can be overwhelming and lead to heightened stress and anxiety.

Understanding the sources of this anxiety and implementing strategies to manage it can help teens navigate the school year with confidence and resilience.

Here’s what you need to know.

Is your teen dealing with back to school anxiety? Find out how you can help your teen get the mental health care they need.

08/20/2025

Autism in girls doesn’t always look like you think.

Many girls mask their struggles, making it harder for parents and teachers to see the signs—and delaying diagnosis for years.

Learn what to watch for, why it’s often missed, and how to get the right support.
📖 Read the full article here ➡️

Autism is often thought of as a condition that predominantly affects boys. According to the CDC, boys are identified with autism about four times more often than girls. That being said, research shows that girls on the spectrum are frequently underdiagnosed. In fact, as many as 80% of females with a...

08/19/2025

Living with a spouse who struggles with Religious OCD can be confusing and overwhelming. Learning how to support them with grace, patience, and practical help can make all the difference.

📰Read more: https://www.nextstep.doctor/how-to-support-a-spouse-struggling-with-religious-ocd/

🎧Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0xa25UKBVjE9IyR6zGwH6c?si=_-6XfR2-R8mV7tosZtIO2g

This article is part of the Religious OCD Series. Living with a spouse who struggles with Religious OCD can be confusing and overwhelming. Learning how to support them with grace, patience, and practical help can make all the difference. Introduction Religious OCD doesn’t just affect the person st...

08/14/2025

🧠 Your child’s rituals might look like quirks… but what if it’s something more?

OCD is a close cousin of anxiety—and in kids, it doesn’t always look the way you expect. Repeating questions, extreme perfectionism, handwashing, or needing things to feel “just right” might be signs your child is struggling with more than everyday stress.

At Next Step 4 Mental Health, we help families recognize when anxiety turns into something more—and how to get the right support early.

👉 Read:https://www.nextstep.doctor/how-ocd-hides-in-plain-sight-what-every-parent-needs-to-know/
👩‍⚕️ Featuring insights from Dr. Sofeia Aslam, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
📍 Local, expert care for kids, teens, and families

You’re not alone—and you don’t have to guess. Let’s take the next step, together.

08/04/2025

Can’t remember why you walked into the room—again? Feel like your mind’s always in overdrive, yet somehow never quite lands on what it’s supposed to? If you’re a woman juggling work, family, and expectations, you may have started to wonder: Is this anxiety? ADHD? Both? And why does it feel like nobody else is struggling quite this much?

You’re not imagining things—and you’re not alone. Many women, especially in mid-life, begin to notice difficulties with focus, forgetfulness, restlessness, or an undercurrent of worry that just won’t quit. Often, these symptoms overlap between ADHD and anxiety, and it’s easy to feel unsure of what’s really going on.

In this article, we’ll explore how these two conditions can mimic, mask, or intensify each other—especially in women. More importantly, we’ll talk about how to find clarity, and why there’s every reason to be hopeful.

Is it anxiety? Or ADHD? Or.. both? The symptoms can overlap which makes it harder to tell the difference. Read on to learn more.

08/01/2025

Parenting a child with mental health challenges can be both rewarding and demanding. Whether your child is grappling with anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues, witnessing their unique perspective on the world comes with its highs and lows.

If you’re in search of a child psychiatrist in Louisville, the good news is that Louisville, Kentucky, boasts a strong community of child psychiatrists ready to assist.

https://www.nextstep.doctor/finding-the-right-child-psychiatrist-in-louisville-kentucky/

Looking for a child psychiatrist in Louisville, Kentucky? Here are tips to find the right support for your child.

07/30/2025

Not all signs of emotional strain are dramatic. Sometimes the most important clues are the quiet ones — things we brush off, explain away, or power through.

Whether you’re noticing something in yourself or in your child, these subtle signs are worth paying attention to these signs:

https://www.nextstep.doctor/mental-health/

Do you need a little TLC? Don't miss these five oh-so-subtle signs that it's time to prioritize your mental health.

07/04/2025

Wishing you a happy and safe 4th of July!

06/26/2025

Depression in children can be difficult to recognize, especially since kids often express emotions differently than adults. If you suspect your child may be struggling with depression, it’s crucial to identify the signs early so they can receive the appropriate help.

Here are some key signs of depression to watch for:
https://www.nextstep.doctor/how-to-spot-the-signs-of-depression-in-kids/

What does depression look like in kids? Here are a few signs that your child may be struggling with depression.

06/24/2025

When a child is diagnosed with anxiety, it can be a challenging and emotional time for both the child and their family. Understanding how to support them effectively can make a significant difference in helping them navigate their feelings and manage their anxiety.

Here are some key steps to support a child with an anxiety diagnosis:
https://www.nextstep.doctor/how-to-support-a-child-recently-diagnosed-with-anxiety/

If your child has anxiety and you're wondering how to support them, then read on. This blog shares tips to support your child.

06/18/2025

Still struggling with OCD, even after therapy and medication?
It might be time to consider a different approach.

🎧 In this new podcast episode, board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Brian Briscoe breaks down Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)—a safe, FDA-approved treatment for OCD and depression that works without medication.

We cover:
✔️ What TMS is and how it works
✔️ Who it helps (especially those with treatment-resistant symptoms)
✔️ What to expect from the process

TMS may be the next step for those who’ve tried “everything” and still haven’t found relief.

🎙 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5wCnXt9Mk84xpTyvkRqHsb?si=LlhNz-oVT1e5gA_OtTySOA
📖 Read the blog: https://www.nextstep.doctor/tms-treatment-for-ocd-what-it-is-and-how-it-can-help/

06/16/2025

For many Christians, seeking help for mental health feels like walking a tightrope—trying to honor God, trust Scripture, and yet admit that something feels wrong deep inside. Sadly, far too many believers suffer silently because of well-meaning but misguided beliefs that block them from getting the help they need.

Here are five common myths that keep Christians from pursuing care—and the truth that can set us free.

https://www.nextstep.doctor/5-myths-that-keep-christians-from-getting-help-for-mental-health/