Do you know that even kids can undergo a mental health illness? Are you aware that there is such a thing as a child psychiatrist? “By carefully evaluating all of a child’s behaviors and emotional symptoms, a child psychiatrist can help parents identify the right combination of interventions for the complexity of the behaviors,” said psychiatrist Steven G. Dickstein, MD. In this article, we are going to focus on the importance of the role that this medical professional performs. We will tackle the different things that this doctor does for the kids who are suffering from autism spectrum disorder (ASD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and other forms of mental health sickness.
Who Is A Child Psychiatrist?
The health professional or doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental disorders in children is called a child psychiatrist. This person is an expert in studying the different factors that cause the behavior or thought disorders of the children involved. At the same time, he also focuses on treating mental health illness through the use of a treatment plan. The plan usually includes prescribing medications for the recovery of the patients.
Where To Find One
Many individuals are engaged in the practice of psychiatry in the United States. However, only a few of them fall under the category of “child psychiatrists.” As such, you may need to exert more effort to search for one. Do not worry because the availability of the Internet makes it easier on your part to conduct online research. All you have to do is to use a web search engine to see the list of child psychiatrists near you.
Another option available on your part is to ask for recommendations or referrals. Some of your friends or family members may know someone who specializes in child psychiatry. Avoid having second thoughts in inquiring from these people. When you do this, you may end up finding the best mental health doctor for kids. “Even so, however appropriate the therapist may seem, there needs to be some fit between patient and therapist; and so, it is reasonable for a prospective patient to try more than one therapist,” says psychiatrist Fredric Neuman M.D. Take your time in searching for one so that you will not commit any mistake or error in the selection process.
On the other hand, you might want to check out the online platform BetterHelp. It has a team of therapists that are trained in different areas of mental health and you may be surprised to know that your child can be matched with a therapist that deals with his specific mental health concerns. Visit this site for more information or click here to watch videos of client success stories through the years.
What To Do
Once you have chosen the child psychiatrist, the next step is to book an appointment. This is where you will inform the doctor about your interest in meeting him. Be sure to show up on the date and time of the meeting. Keep in mind that a doctor’s time is precious. If you miss the appointment, you could be banned from contacting the doctor’s clinic or moved to a later date, which could take months.
During the consultation stage, the child psychiatrist will usually ask several questions. The inquiries may include finding more information about the family background, history of mental disorder, environmental factors and other related matters. It is your responsibility to participate in the consultation. Be honest in answering the questions that will be asked by the psychiatrist. Giving the wrong information or data could have adverse effects on your kid’s condition. After this stage, the doctor will set the dates for future appointments. The number of sessions and other requirements will depend on the seriousness of the patient’s condition.
“Parenting in general is hard these days. Parenting a child with special needs is often harder,” shares child psychologist Dan Peters Ph.D. If you believe that your child has a mental health problem, then be quick in getting in touch with a child psychiatrist as soon as possible.