Hebiatry promotes a healthy and safe transition to adulthood

Hebiatry is a *subspecialty* of medicine focused on the health and well-being of adolescents, also offered by Florescer Kids +, a clinic specialized in neuro rehabilitation located in Vila Velha. Also known as adolescent medicine, it encompasses a variety of aspects related to the life stage known as adolescence, which spans from ages 10 to 19. One of the main focuses of hebiatry is to promote a healthy and safe transition to adulthood. It is important to note that these professionals work in partnership with adolescents and their families, providing guidance that helps young people understand the transformations they are going through, offering information *and guidance* on sexuality, addictions, nutrition, physical exercise, and disease prevention. In addition, they play an important role in diagnosing and treating mental health issues that affect adolescents, such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and drug use. Factors that, according to Ana Paula Pandolfi, partner at *Florescer* Kids Mais, were exacerbated after the pandemic.

“I decided on adolescent medicine shortly before the pandemic, during the years I was the responsible doctor for an entire ward, realizing that adolescents were in a limbo between pediatrics and internal medicine specialties, and during the pandemic, I understood how essential my work would be for them to overcome this challenge with more ease. A generation completely affected by this health crisis,” she noted.

“As an adolescent doctor, I care for a phase that is in constant transformation, from a body taking shape, with the much-talked-about puberty, to intellectual, spiritual, and emotional issues. So, the reasoning about 'not taking your boat for a check-up at the car workshop' is the same for the human being and their specialty,” she emphasizes. According to Dr. Ana Paula, it is extremely important to follow each patient with the professional from the respective area, therefore, adolescents with a hebiatrist, as they are qualified to understand the evolution of the breast, penis, and vagina (and thus identify what is within the normal range and what is 'wrong'). “We are trained to see beyond self-harm, anorexia, bulimia, and pregnancy. To understand the being in their environment with themselves, school, family, mesosystem, exosystem, and macrosystem, as some cases require intervention,” she warns.

According to Erick Miranda, general director of Florescer Kids Mais, the clinic is open to partnerships with schools interested in bringing knowledge about this and other topics through discussions with students, lectures for parents, and training for teachers. “Our clinic specializes in neuro rehabilitation and medicine for children and adolescents (typical and atypical). We are located on Rua 15 de Novembro, in the center of Vila Velha, and offer more than 14 specialties, with over 40 professionals involved. Come visit us,” he invited.