159. Is It More Than a Phase? How to Spot Kids’ Mental Health Red Flags (and Care for Yourself Too) with Dr. Melissa Wellner

2025-10-15

If you’ve ever wondered, “Is my teen just moody—or is something deeper going on?” this one’s for you. In this candid conversation, we sit down with Dr. Melissa Wellner, double board–certified adult, child & adolescent psychiatrist and founder of Annapolis Psychiatry, to break down what’s typical vs. concerning, how to start supportive (non-scary) conversations, when to loop in a pro, and why caring for your mental health is part of caring for your kids. In this episode: The gut-check for moms: when to trust your instin...

If you’ve ever wondered, “Is my teen just moody—or is something deeper going on?” this one’s for you.

In this candid conversation, we sit down with Dr. Melissa Wellner, double board–certified adult, child & adolescent psychiatrist and founder of Annapolis Psychiatry, to break down what’s typical vs. concerning, how to start supportive (non-scary) conversations, when to loop in a pro, and why caring for your mental health is part of caring for your kids.

In this episode:

The gut-check for moms: when to trust your instincts and call the pediatrician
School says they’re fine…but your gut says otherwise (what to do next)
Masking: why high achievers can still be struggling
Age-by-age trends: anxiety in younger kids, depression in tweens/teens, and how conditions overlap (ADHD + anxiety)
Therapy vs. medication: what’s first-line, what’s optional, and how to think about timing
Scripts to start the talk without stigma (and without embarrassing your teen)
The mom side: guilt, mental load, and setting boundaries without shame

This episode is brought to you by Jukestir. Learn more here: https://jukestir.com/

Wellness: Rebranded is turning 3 years old! We are hosting a live birthday party on October 23rd in Annapolis and would love for you to join. Learn more about the party here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1579100093889?aff=oddtdtcreator

Connect with Dr. Wellner:

Website: https://annapolispsychiatry.com/
Listen to the Parenting Shrinkwrapped Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/parenting-shrink-wrapped/id1766578984

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