Dr. Murthy has been trained in two medical specialties.
Having studied Child Psychiatry, Dr. Murthy has been trained to provide care for children suffering from psychiatric disorders or disabilities by utilizing specialized knowledge of child biology and psychiatry. Dr. Murthy works in conjunction with the child's family to understand and diagnose the disorder and subsequently provide a comprehensive treatment plan to manage child's condition.
Pediatric psychiatry is a medical specialty focused on the diagnosis, treatment and management of psychiatric disorders in children. The scope of treatment provided by pediatric psychiatrists can range from learning disabilities and behavioral disorders to mental illnesses. Child psychiatrists often interact closely with the parents or guardians of the child throughout the various stages of diagnosis and treatment.
When evaluating and diagnosing children, pediatric psychiatrists may gather information about behaviors and symptoms in a variety of ways; diagnosis may occur over one or more sessions. The diagnostic stage may include personal observation of the child during one-on-one or family sessions, speaking with parents, teachers, other physicians or social workers, and by analyzing the child’s medical history (including family history). Child psychiatrists may also employ a variety of psychological tests to diagnose children, such as intelligence and personality assessments. During these tests, the psychiatrist will attempt to observe any behaviors exhibited by the child, including inattention, distractibility, avoidance, and hyperactivity, among others that will help to arrive at a diagnosis.
After a diagnosis is made, the pediatric psychiatrist will take the time to provide feedback to the child and parents/guardians. This generally includes educating both the patient and guardian(s) about the diagnosis, as well as explaining the proposed treatment recommendations. Personalized treatment plans may include various forms of therapy (behavior, problem-solving, family, parent training programs, etc.) or the prescription of medications, as well as consultations with primary care providers.
Learn more about child psychiatry at MD.com.
Having studied Psychiatry, Dr. Murthy has been trained to diagnose and treat the various types of mental illness, which may include depression, eating disorders, bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders, among other psychiatric illnesses and disorders. Dr. Murthy is trained to provide various treatments, including the prescription of medications, different forms of psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy, among other techniques.
Psychiatry is a medical specialty focused on the diagnosis, treatment, management and prevention of mental illness. Physicians who practice psychiatry are referred to as psychiatrists; psychiatrists differ from psychologists in that they are licensed physicians (hold either an MD or DO degree). Psychiatrists are able to provide most of the same treatments to patients as psychologists, but are also licensed to prescribe medication when treating mental illnesses. It is often said that psychiatry is the “primary care” of mental health and wellness.
When providing care to patients, psychiatrists employ a variety of tests and examinations to arrive at a diagnosis. When first meeting a patient, a psychiatrist will perform a mental status examination (MSE). During this diagnostic procedure, the physician attempts to identify the presence and extent of a patient’s mental illness. The psychiatrist will observe and document the patient’s state of mental health, which includes observations of the patient’s behavior, appearance, speech, mood, thought process, cognition, thought content, insight, affect and judgment. After performing the examination, the psychiatrist will be able to arrive at a diagnosis.
Psychiatrists may see patients for mental disorders and illnesses such as dementia, anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), schizophrenia, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorders, drug abuse, addictions, bipolar disorder, panic disorders, phobias, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and attention deficit disorder (ADD), among many others. After arriving at a diagnosis, the psychiatrist may employ a variety of treatment techniques and procedures. These may include counseling, psychotherapy and the prescription of medications such as antidepressants or antipsychotics, among others.
Learn more about psychiatry at MD.com.