Welcome

I work to diagnose and treat psychiatric disorders in patients of all ages. I am committed to patient education,accurate diagnosis, and collaborative pharmacologic treatment.

Specialties

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Child, Adolescent and Adult) ADHD is the most common neuro-psychiatric disorder of childhood affecting up to 6% of school-age children. It is an often-hereditary, lifelong disorder of attention and impulse control. If undiagnosed it can lead to academic, social, vocational failure, low self-esteem, marital difficulties and higher risk for substance abuse including nicotine dependence. Diagnosis and treatment is often complicated by behavior problems, depression, anxiety and learning disorders. The clinical diagnosis of complex patients and appropriate medication stabilization is provided.

Mood and Anxiety Disorders (Child, Adolescent, Adult) Mood and anxiety disorders are common afflictions of individuals of all ages. 17% of individuals experience at least one depressive episode in a lifetime and 60% of depressed individuals experience anxiety as part of their depression. Depressive disorders can be complex, disabling illnesses that tend to reoccur. Treatment that is focused on restoring wellness (remission focused treatment) offers the best chance to prevent recurrence. Anxiety disorders may also be complex and disabling conditions. Multiple anxiety disorders frequently co-occur. Untreated anxiety disorders predispose to depression and alcoholism. Diagnosis and pharmacologic treatment is provided for children, adolescents and adults with these behaviorally and emotionally disrupting conditions.

Asperger's Disorder Asperger's Disorder is a developmental disorder that affects individuals from childhood through adulthood. It is considered to be at the high end of the autistic spectrum. While autistic disorder has severe language impairment and significant mental retardation neither is seen in Asperger's Disorder. Asperger's Disorder has a very wide range of severity that makes diagnosis and prognosis difficult. Affected individuals have a normal to above average IQ. The disorder is characterized by impairments in socially adaptive behaviors and the development of social skills. Language development is unaffected although language spontaneity and expression can be affected. Encompassing preoccupations and inflexibility are additional defining features that may also interfere with successful social interaction. The diagnosis is often missed. Other psychiatric diagnoses are often made that may further confuse the diagnosis. These include Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD),Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD),Social Anxiety Disorder, and Depression. Accurate diagnosis, appropriate educational support, and medication intervention can significantly improve emotional and behavioral features so as to allow for successful social learning and family, educational and occupational functioning.

Tourette's Disorder Tourette's Disorder is a complex neuro-psychiatric disorder characterized by multiple, waxing and waning motor and vocal tics of varying severity. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder are associated conditions that may or may not be present. This complex disorder can be disabling and cause social embarrassment and shame. Tics and associated symptoms can be controlled by appropriate medication intervention. It is not necessary to medicate all associated symptoms if they do not interfere with functioning or cause distress.