Berkeley Parents Network: Psychiatrists for Children

Berkeley Parents Network

Psychiatrists for Children

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Health & Medical > Psychiatrists for Children

Questions

5-year-old child who is hearing voices
Seeking child psychiatrist for 4-year-old
Child psychiatrist with OCD experience

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5-year-old child who is hearing voices

Dec 2008

My 5 years old child recently told me several times about hearing voises. The child is much more anxious, aggressive and doing tentrum tantrums often over last 2 weeks. There was a recent stress (relocation) which might provoked it. Could anyone PLEASE recommend an experienced children psychiatrist. Had anyone had an experience with this, and is it possible at all for a normal child this age to hear voices in his head and to have ''conversations'' with someone in an empty room? I am sooooo scared. Thank you very much. anon

Our pediatrician gave us a referral. Try calling your pediatrician and making an urgent appointment or ask for a call back to get a referral. The referral we received was great, but not sure if it is the right age range for your child -- Dr. Philip Grossman in Albany. Best of luck to you. anonymous

WE've seen Dr. Brad Engwall in Albany,559-1819. He helped us a great deal with my son's ADD and anxiety. He's young, really sweet adn ''kid like''. The person who recommended him to me (a therapist) said he was great with figuring out the right meds for the particular person. For my son he did a brain scan. Good luck. anon mom

You might want to consider getting an evaluation from both a psychologist and a psychiatrist. Community Psychiatry Associates offers easy access to psychiatric services. Their closest offices to Berkeley are in Downtown Oakland (510-834-2049) and Lafayette (925-299-9033). They have other offices also. If you want to do a psychological evaluation from a licensed Psychologist: Alisa Crovetti, Ph.D., is in Albany (510-882-2771) and Alan Siegel is in South Berkeley (510-652-4185). Evaluations can be expensive, but some insurance will cover them, depending on the psychologist and insurance coverage. I suggest that you get a couple of opinions to make sure your child is being evaluated properly. These evaluations can be very different, depending on the provider.

You may not like this response: however, try to learn more about where you relocated. It could be that your 5 years old is a bit stressed with the move expesically if she left friends. However, it could also be the case that your 5 year old really does hear voices- this doesn't mean that it's wrong or bad.

Don't be scared.. be educated.

Learn as much as you can about ''who she talks to'' (if she open to sharing with you) The worse thing you can do is issolate your child and make her think she crazy. I have had personal experience with a situation VERY similar. Yes it is very possible for her to have conversations with no one you can see in the room- it's called using her imagination (which is very heathly).

Please don't think she's ''crazy'' or lead her to believe she is the only one that does that. ~Zariah

When my son was discharged from John George Hospital in May of 2008, I found myself with the challenge of helping my mentally ill son regain his life again. I did not have a glimmer of hope, because everywhere I turned for answers, I was turned away. That was until I found Dr. Janice Cohen. Dr. Cohen not only helped my son medically, but also educated our family about his illness and the many resources that existed. She has been interested in all aspects of my son's life and has helped him address his recovery like a whole person. Dr. Cohen proved that what I thought to be impossible was actually very obtainable.

In the six months that we have worked with Dr. Cohen, my son has made outstanding progress. Prior to seeing Dr. Cohen, my son had two very traumatic hospitalizations and was discharged on high doses of six medications with no supervision. These medicines caused him very bad side effects, which led to an emergency room visit and then a second hospitalization. Dr. Cohen reduced the number of his medications and lowered the amount to a point where he now has no more side effects.

From the first day of working with Dr. Cohen, I felt her warmth and sincerity. Not only has she helped my son recover, but also, she has helped me see the light at the end of the tunnel ' A light that everyone else told me was lost. I highly recommend that anyone faced with a mental illness or simply seeking therapy for life problems give Dr. Cohen a chance. You will find what you're looking for.

Dr Lisa Hardy at Children's Hospital. Call NOW anon

You can try Dr. Jonathon Gross (psyciatrist) in Berkeley or Dr. Nancy Euwing (psychologist) in El Cerrito. Good-luck-your doing the right thing. anon

I'm so sorry to hear about your son's troubles. It sounds like his behavior change may have stemmed from the recent move? Are the voices telling him bad things? Is it possible he has created an ''imaginary friend'' to help him cope? I hate to sound kooky, but is it possible he has picked up on something paranormal going on in the new house? Kids are very in tune to those things. It sounds like this change in his behavior most likely comes from the new adjustment, and not him suddenly becoming psychotic, but that's just my personal opinion.

I still think it would be a good idea to get him to talk to someone, I'm sure you'll get other good recommendations here.Or you could start by discussing it with his pediatrician. Try not to worry, talk to him about it some more. Ask him what the voices are saying to him. Open up a dialog and let him know it's OK to feel differently about his new surroundings. Don't be ''scared'' he will pick up on it and it can cause more unneeded stress. good luck. -anon

Seeking child psychiatrist for 4-year-old

Feb 2007

My almost 4 year old daughter is quite difficult to manage. She is quite stubborn and defiant, she rarely plays on her own, demanding my attention most of the time, she has difficulty socializing with other children. I finally think she and I need help. I am looking for a psychologist or psychiatrist to help with these issues. We are in Berkeley. Thanks for any recommendations! Tired parent

Brad Engwall MD is an excellent child psychiatrist with a private practice in Albany: 510-559-1819.

Child psychiatrist with OCD experience

June 2006

Can someone recommend a good child psychiatrist? Someone with expertise in OCD who can, if needed, prescribe medication anonymous

Any/ All of the psychiatrists at Oakland Children's (Herb Schreier, Lisa Hardy, Andrew Giammona) are wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. You can't go wrong there. One Who Knows

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