Top Doctors: Psychiatric meds for kids
Gone are the days when many kids were only familiar with medications like aspirin and cough syrup. Now, many children take psychiatric medications to fend off conditions such as hyperactivity, anxiety and depression.
Here's a look at what you should know before your child is placed on these drugs:
1. MEDICATION MAY NOT BE NECESSARY
In some cases, therapy alone can successfully treat conditions like anxiety, depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, said Dr. Gabrielle A. Carlson, director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Stony Brook University School of Medicine.
But the treatments -- which aim to change behavior -- are challenging and take a lot of time, she said. "There are alternatives to medication, but there's no simple fix."
In terms of ADHD, for example, "you're talking about a lot of work on the parents' and the teachers' part," she said. Treatment for depression and anxiety, meanwhile, requires extensive homework assignments, and not just for a while. "It's not like you do it for six weeks, and you can stop it," she said.
2. VERY YOUNG KIDS USUALLY DON'T NEED MEDICATION
"In general, most children are at least school-age when they are considered for psychiatric medications," said Dr. Judith Greenberg, staff psychiatrist with the Departments of Substance Abuse and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Zucker Hillside Hospital.
In rare cases, preschool-age children may be prescribed psychiatric medications. Typically, they have severe symptoms that don't respond to therapy, she said.
3. PARENTS SHOULD ASK QUESTIONS
Introducing these drugs without educating yourself on all aspects of it would be a mistake. "Parents should have a clear understanding of why a particular medication is recommended for their child, the nature and severity of the child's underlying condition, what other methods of treatment may or may not work, and what happens if medication is not used in a particular situation," Greenberg said.
4. KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR CHILD
"Parents should monitor their children for changes in habits (sleep/appetite), energy, mood, movements, rashes, or medication-specific concerns," Greenberg said. "Notify the prescribing physician immediately with any concerns. Anyone can have an odd or unusual reaction to any medication."
Greenberg adds that parents shouldn't stop, start or adjust a child's medication without first talking to a doctor.
5. DON'T LOOK FOR PERFECTION
ADHD medications may have a quick effect if they're given at the correct dose, but others take a while to kick in, Carlson said. And even if they do have an effect, it may not be perfect.
"People expect everything to clean up nice," she said. In fact, many children will get better but not recover completely, she said.
The severity of the condition matters. "I use this metaphor: If your temperature is 101 and you take some aspirin, your temperature might go down to 98.5. But if it's 104, it might go down to 101.5. You're better, but you may not feel great."
This is the sixth installment of a 26-week series in which Newsday presents Castle Connolly's list of top L.I. doctors.
This week, we are featuring psychiatrists.
Dr. Thomas Aronson
2 Brooksite Dr.
631-265-0909
Dr. Samuel Bailine
5 Ridgeway Rd.
516-883-3304
Dr. Raymond Behr
81-A Arleigh Rd.
516-482-1980
Dr. John Benjamin
1983 Marcus Ave.
516-216-1780
Dr. Sheldon Berman
8 Payne Circle
516-374-4417
Dr. Ashok Bhatt
871 E. Park Ave.
516-889-8844
Dr. Cathy Budman
North Shore-LIJ Health System
Dept. Psychiatry & Neurology
400 Community Dr.
516-562-3223
Dr. Jovita Crasta
2277 Grand Ave.
516-377-5400
Dr. Marvin Frogel
78 Oxford Blvd.
Great Neck, 516-482-5377
Dr. Michael Gurevich
997 Glen Cove Ave.
516-674-9489
Dr. Eli Margrethe Katus
1035 Rte. 106
516-922-5607
Dr. Jack Katz
1010 Northern Blvd.
516-336-2565
Dr. Amy Koreen
28 Elm St.
Huntington
631-423-8368
Dr. Kwang Soo Lee
221 Broadway
631-789-7448
Dr. Vera Liang
221 Broadway
631-598-7396
Dr. Jack Nass
580 Sunrise Hwy.
631-321-7697
Dr. Bruce Rosen
222 E. Middle Country Rd.
631-265-6868
Dr. Sherif Sami
7 Bond St.
516-487-9191
Dr. Michael Schwartz
150 Broadhollow Rd.
631-385-3313
Dr. Yogendra Upadhyay
400 Sunrise Hwy.
631-608-5212
CHILD & ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRISTS
Dr. Gabrielle Carlson
Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Putnam Hall, South Campus
Stony Brook
631-632-8840
Dr. Carmel Foley
420 Lakeville Rd.
718-470-3550
Dr. Lajpat Gandhi
110 E. Main St.
Huntington
631-427-6411
Dr. Judith Greenberg
775 Park Ave.
Huntington
631-629-4790
Dr. John Pomeroy
The Cody Center for Autism
5 Medical Dr.
631-632-3070
Dr. Deborah Weisbrot
Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Putnam Hall, South Campus
Stony Brook
631-632-8840
Dr. Daniel Williams
3003 New Hyde Park Rd.
516-488-3636
How they were picked
Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. is a health care research and information company founded in 1991 by a former medical college board chairman and president to help guide consumers to America's top doctors and hospitals. Castle Connolly's established survey and research process, under the direction of a doctor, involves tens of thousands of doctors and the medical leadership of leading hospitals.
Castle Connolly's team of researchers follows a rigorous screening process to select doctors on national and regional levels. Using mail and telephone surveys, and electronic ballots, they ask physicians and the leadership of top hospitals to identify exceptional doctors. Careful screening of doctors' educational and professional experience is essential to the committee. Not every good physician makes the list. Rather, the list is a way for patients to get started on their search for the best medical professional. Newsday is not part of the selection process.
Doctors do not and cannot pay to be selected and profiled as Castle Connolly Top Doctors.
To see the whole list . . .
Who else is on the list of Top Doctors? More than 6,000 listings are in the New York Metro Area edition of "Top Doctors," published by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. The softcover list price is $34.95. For more information, go to castleconnolly.com, or call 800-399-DOCS.
Gilgo-related search for remains expands ... Congestion pricing target date ... Suffolk air quality ... A dog's bucket list
Gilgo-related search for remains expands ... Congestion pricing target date ... Suffolk air quality ... A dog's bucket list
