What Parents Should Know About Pediatric Psychiatry In NYC

By Tanisha Berg


The medical specialty that deals with the study and treatment of mental disorders that affect children is referred to as pediatric psychiatry. When children are mentally ill, their close family members also get affected. Therefore, close family members or guardians are usually included in the treatment programs for such children. In order to specialize in pediatric psychiatry in NYC, medical students have to complete training like other doctors. Child psychiatrists are able to counsel their patients, prescribe medications, examine patients and order laboratory tests among other tasks.

Pediatric psychiatrists are skilled enough to treat minors who have development conditions like retardation, learning disabilities, Tourette syndrome and various kinds of mental disorders. They usually work in various settings. They may have their own private clinic and see patients on an outpatient basis. They can also treat children who are admitted in a hospital.

A child psychiatry specialist can also provide his or her services for state organizations like Child Protective Services. This professional is capable of evaluating children who are victims of abuse or make a statement about the mental fitness of minors who may have committed a crime. Many are the times that child psychiatrists work in conjunction with other mental health experts.

Some child psychiatrists offer therapy but others do not. They usually work together with counselors and psychologists as well as pediatricians. In order to treat a patient, the professionals start by determining the nature of the mental disorder a child is suffering from. They then create a treatment plan, which often involves prescribing the right medicines.

Once a patient starts a treatment program, a psychiatrist may find it necessary to adjust the medication. He or she can determine dosage or changes in medications depending on the behavior of the patient. The professional may speak to guardians or close family members of the child to get information about the behavior of the patient. With follow up sessions, the professional is able to make sure that the treatment he or she is administering is helping the child.

Since children cannot articulate their issues or problems, establishing a rapport with watchful parents or guardians helps guide treatment. If parents or guardians are not available or are not a good resource, a child psychiatrist can personally observe the patient to see how he or she is responding to treatment. In hospital settings, other healthcare workers can make these observations.

If a child psychiatrist prescribes medications and offers therapy, observations during treatment may be more comprehensive. If he or she prescribes medicines only, this professional may work together with other professional like marriage and family therapists, psychologists and social workers. These other professionals provide therapy. A child psychiatrist can also give a testimony of the mental fitness of his or her patient in a law court.

A child psychiatrist can also evaluate and write a recommendation or report about the custody placement of a child who has been abused by his or her parent or guardian. Some pediatric psychiatrists also perform research or work with other medical professionals to develop new treatments for children. When looking for child psychiatrists, New York City dwellers should consider a number of factors such as the educational background, reputation and experience of the professionals.




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