Month: May 2023

At Wonder Years, we provide comprehensive diagnostic assessments, second opinions, and follow up care for a broad spectrum of psychiatric conditions in children, adolescents, and young adults. Here’s what clients have to say about Wonder Years and an overview of the services that we offer!

Mental Health Specialists You can Trust and Rely On

We pride ourselves on recruiting skilled and compassionate professionals to deliver comprehensive care to all our patients. Here are some personal testimonies we’ve collected from clients over the years.

• “My doctor was thoughtful and responsive; never rushes through appointments – truly a gem!”
• “I saw a knowledgeable doctor with great bedside manners. Good experience.”
• “He truly cares about each individual. Excellent doctor who is very trustworthy and reliable. I would not hesitate to take his advice.”
• “Dr. Malik is fantastic and extremely personable. He’s always been very flexible with my schedule and is easy to open up to.”

Additionally, we’ve also gotten a 4.7/5 star rating on Healthgrades, scoring 5 stars from over 70 respondents in the following areas:

• Doctor explained conditions well
• Wait times were acceptable
• The appointment wasn’t rushed
• Doctor listened & answered questions
• Staff friendliness
• I trusted the provider’s decisions
• Quality of the office environment
• Ease of appointment scheduling

Here’s a brief overview of the psychiatric services we provide:

SPRAVATO® (esketamine) (esketamine)

The FDA has approved SPRAVATO® as a form of therapy for adult depression. It uses more modern approaches to treat depression and can benefit people who have not responded to more conventional forms of care.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Wonder Years now offers transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy for patients with depression. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is thought to be relatively safe and non-invasive.

Comprehensive Initial Evaluation

The first visit lasts for about an hour and includes a thorough evaluation. Having all caregivers and parents present at the initial evaluation is beneficial since it gives a full picture of the challenges the patient is dealing with.

Any documents from prior psychiatric evaluations, such as (but not limited to) discharge reports from the hospital and neuropsychological tests, should be brought with you to the session. Following the examination, a full discussion of the various therapy options will be conducted.

Neuropsychological Evaluations

Wonder Years offers neuropsychological evaluations for autism, ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, and learning difficulties in both children and adults.

Tele-Psychiatry

Wonder Years offers the option of Tele-Psychiatry in New York. However, initial appointments must always be in person. The fees for a Tele-Psychiatry visit will be the same as those for a conventional in-person visit.

Therapy

Wonder Years offers individual and group therapy for problems with anxiety, depression, phobias, trauma, and relationships, utilizing the most up-to-date and effective techniques.

ADHD Support

Both children and adults may be affected by ADHD, a neurodevelopmental condition. Medication, counseling, and coaching may all be used in the treatment of ADHD. All age groups can receive specific coaching for ADHD through the Wonder Years.

Second Opinions

Occasionally, parents and other treatment professionals, including primary care doctors, psychiatrists, and psychologists, desire a fresh perspective on the diagnosis and course of action. These examinations take roughly an hour and are just as thorough as initial evaluations. It is advised that you bring copies of any previous evaluations, psychological tests, hospital discharge reports, and current medicines with you to the appointment.

Do you or your loved one need assistance with a mental health issue? Don’t be afraid to seek professional help. Our dedicated team of professionals will be here to ensure you get back on your feet!

Parenting is already the hardest job in the world, and if you have to worry about your child’s mental health on top of that, it gets harder. According to studies, up to three-fourths of kids who are struggling with mental health difficulties do not get the support and treatment they require to perform as effectively as they can in their day-to-day lives. However, you and your child may benefit from professional help if their condition becomes more serious.  Here are a few indicators that you should take your child to a board-certified center for child and adolescent psychiatry in Brooklyn for evaluation.

Sudden, Drastic shift in Attitude or Behavior

Every one of us occasionally experiences mood fluctuations or swings to some extent. However, it’s important to note and investigate significant mood or behavior swings that occur frequently and get in the way of maintaining relationships.

Being Overwhelmed by Sudden, Irrational Fears

A psychiatric examination for your child is warranted if sudden, overwhelming worries take control of him or her and prevent them from functioning normally in their daily activities.

Avoiding food, Throwing Up after Eating, or Binging

Relationships with food that are unhealthy are not something to ignore or brush off. Eating disorders can cause extensive harm, and it is essential to treat them as soon as possible.

Seek help right away if you see that your child is exhibiting symptoms of an eating issue.

Desire to Harm Oneself or Others or Making Plans to Do So

A board-certified child or adolescent psychiatrist should be consulted right away if your child has expressed a desire to harm herself or others or has made efforts or preparations to do so.

Frequent Alcohol or Drug Use

While it is not uncommon for some kids and teenagers to experiment with alcohol and drugs, frequent use of these substances indicates a problem. Before the problem becomes any more pervasive, you may help your child receive intervention by having a complete neurological assessment performed.

Episodes of Depression or Unhappiness that Persist Beyond Two Weeks

A child or adolescent experiencing the occasional sadness is not uncommon, but if this behavior persists for longer than two weeks, it may be wise to seek assistance from a mental health professional to determine the severity of the withdrawal or depression symptoms.

A child or adolescent experiencing the occasional sadness is not uncommon, but if this behavior persists for longer than two weeks, it may be wise to seek assistance from a mental health professional to determine the severity of the withdrawal or depression symptoms.

Difficulty Paying Attention

It is one thing to enter the kitchen and then realize why you were going there. However, some people find it so difficult to focus that they endanger their health or risk failing a class because they can’t keep their thoughts on track.

Please don’t hesitate to seek assistance if your child or adolescent is exhibiting any of the aforementioned symptoms.

At Wonder Years Psychiatric Services, we offer child and adolescent psychiatric evaluations as well as various psychiatric treatments. Schedule an appointment to explore your concerns and we can help provide the best course of action to take from there. Check out our FAQ page today to learn more!

Social phobia, often known as social anxiety disorder, is more than just a dread of establishing or connecting with friends. It is essentially defined by a profound fear of being scrutinized or judged by others in social circumstances. Understanding the underlying causes of anxiety in children, educating your child on coping mechanisms, and getting the appropriate anxiety medication for them if necessary, are all ways that parents can provide support.

The Impact of Social Anxiety

The fear of speaking in front of others, reading aloud, being judged by others, offending others, embarrassing oneself, and engaging in conversation with strangers are just a few of the triggers that cause extreme anxiety in children with social anxiety disorder.

Youths who suffer from social anxiety disorder worry a lot in public (school, teams, play dates, tuition, and even family reunions.)

Children who suffer from social anxiety disorder may experience severe distress, which could cause poor academic, social, and other functional outcomes. For fear of negative judgment or embarrassment, children with social anxiety disorder are more likely to avoid participating in activities like sports or other group activities with their peers.

Symptoms of Social Anxiety in Children

The average age at which social anxiety disorder first manifests itself is 13 years old, with ages 8 to 15 accounting for 75% of cases.

The condition can be brought on by a history of social inhibition or shyness from childhood, but it can also be triggered by a traumatic event, such as bullying.  The number of Americans who have social anxiety disorder is over 15 million.

A noticeable dread or worry about one or more social situations in which the person may be evaluated by others is the defining characteristic of social anxiety disorder. Examples include interacting with others, being seen by others, and performing in front of people.

Here are some additional signs of social anxiety disorder to watch out for:

• The individual believes that his or her actions or anxiety symptoms will be perceived negatively.
• Social settings invariably cause anxiety or fear in them. In children this can manifest as tantrums, clinging, crying, freezing up, or the inability to speak.
• They avoid or endure social interactions while experiencing strong sensations of fear and anxiety
• The worry or panic is excessive compared to the actual threat
• The fear, worry, and avoidance persist for at least six months.
• Their emotional state causes clinically substantial suffering in the functioning of social, occupational (school), or other spheres
• They have a fear of social gatherings that may occur weeks in advance
• They are overly-attached to familiar individuals
• They experience tantrums when put in social circumstances that make them anxious
• They accuse others for alleged societal shortcomings
• They exhibit physical signs like blushing, beating heart, trembling voice, nausea, and difficulty speaking

How to Support Your Child Who has Anxiety

Naming it is the best first step you can take to help your child deal with it. Children who suffer from social anxiety disorder are aware of their fear and worry in social situations, but they may not always be able to pinpoint the cause. A crucial first step in learning to manage is assisting them in drawing connections between emotional responses, bodily symptoms, and triggers. Teach your child how anxiety affects thought and behavior, as this is a crucial aspect of learning how to deal with difficult emotions.

Be sure to seek a neurological assessment for anxiety treatment, as early intervention is key.

Before discussing treatments for depression, such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, you might start looking for “holistic psychiatrists near Connecticut, NYC” if you want to find holistic alternatives to managing your mental illness. In this article, we’ll cover what a holistic psychiatrist does and what to look for in one.

What are Holistic Psychiatrists?

Certain mental health experts handle mental health disorders in a holistic manner. They are referred to as “holistic” or “integrative” psychiatrists and prioritize a patient’s total health and wellbeing as opposed to merely treating symptoms. This means that a holistic psychiatrist will evaluate the causes of your symptoms in order to address those as well, rather than only prescribing medicine to treat your symptoms.

Holistic psychiatrists may still advise and prescribe medicine, but they will only support drugs that are good for your general well-being.

Although prescription medications are effective and the effects kick in right away, they are not a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s crucial to pick a psychiatrist you feel comfortable with because each person may respond differently to drug therapies.

Before turning to prescription medications, holistic psychiatrists experiment with methods including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), talk therapy, better nutrition, sleep optimization, exercise, and supplements. The removal of sugar or other food additives may also be required of you. A holistic psychiatrist should be familiar with a wide range of alternative therapies, so make sure to probe further into their understanding in this area during your comprehensive initial evaluation.

Here are some things to look out for when evaluating a holistic psychiatrist.

They Support Customizable Care Plans

A holistic psychiatrist does not have a “one size fits all” approach. Instead, they will take the time to assess you personally in order to decide what kind of therapy will be most effective for YOU. In order to include your preferences as best they can into the treatment plan, they will also inquire about that. A holistic psychiatrist should be able to provide medication and/or complementary approaches like massage, mindfulness, acupuncture, dietary changes, or supplements. However, treatment programs will differ from person to person. In the end, a holistic psychiatrist’s approach to treatment frequently combines conventional medication with complementary therapies.

They Emphasize on the Overall Goal of Optimal Mental Wellness

Many medical procedures concentrate on getting rid of symptoms, and we consider health to be the absence of disease. The greatest holistic psychiatrists, however, often hold that achieving full mental wellness entails much more than simply avoiding mental health problems. Instead, their strategy goes a step further and supports achieving happiness and contentment. Also, they emphasize that prevention is preferable to therapy. As a result, they encourage a healthy outlook to ward off present symptoms and improve healthy coping mechanisms when times are tough. Does your prospective psychiatrist cover all aspects of wellness in their initial consultation with you? If so, that’s typically a good sign.

They Encourage Interactions

Relationships, in the opinion of holistic psychiatrists, are crucial for healing. This demonstrates they value their professional relationships and shows their dedication to creating a welcoming environment for clients. In order to enhance your general mental well-being, holistic psychiatrists should emphasize the significance of upholding, mending, or establishing interpersonal ties with family and friends. If your psychiatrist is merely relying on medicine and treatments to help your condition, you may not be getting the truly holistic help you signed up for.