CHILD & ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRYThe child and adolescent psychiatrist
is a physician who specializes in
the diagnosis and, if indicated, the treatment of disorders of
thinking, feeling and/or behavior affecting children, adolescents,
and their families. A child and adolescent psychiatrist offers
families the advantages of a medical education, training and medical responsibility for
providing comprehensive care.
The child and adolescent psychiatrist
uses knowledge of biological, psychological, and social factors in
working with patients. Initially, a comprehensive diagnostic
examination is performed to evaluate the current problem with
attention to its physical, genetic, developmental, emotional,
cognitive, educational, family, peer, and social components. The
child and adolescent psychiatrist arrives at a diagnosis and
diagnostic formulation, which is shared with the patient and
family. The child and adolescent psychiatrist then designs a
treatment plan, which considers all the components and discusses
these recommendations with the child or adolescent and the
responsible adults. An integrated approach may involve individual,
group or family psychotherapy; medication or consultation with
other physicians or professionals from schools, juvenile courts,
social agencies or other community organizations. In addition,
the child psychiatrist is prepared and expected to act as an
advocate for the best interests of children and adolescents. Many
child and adolescent psychiatrists perform consultations in a
variety of settings (schools, juvenile courts, social agencies).
Child and adolescent psychiatric
training requires 4 years of medical school, at least 3 years of
approved residency training in general
psychiatry with adults, and 2 years of training in psychiatric
work with children, adolescents, and their families.
In the child and adolescent
psychiatry training, the trainee acquires a thorough knowledge of
normal child and family development, psychopathology, and
treatment. Special importance is given to disorders that appear in
childhood, such as pervasive developmental disorder,
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning
disabilities, mental retardation, mood disorders, depressive and
anxiety disorders, drug dependency and delinquency (conduct
disorder). The child psychiatric trainee applies and develops
psychiatric skills by treating youngsters and their families.
