Child psychiatrists are mental health professionals who diagnose and treat mental, behavioral and emotional disorders in children. Professionals in the field of child psychiatry work in a variety of settings, such as schools, hospitals, clinics, courts and in social work. They have training in child development and the assessment and treatment of mental health issues that are unique to children. Child psychiatrists are qualified to prescribe medication.
History
The branch of psychiatry that focuses on children has its roots in the study of juvenile delinquency. According the the website psychiatrictimes.com, the study of child psychiatry began in earnest after the establishment of the United State's first juvenile court in Chicago, Illinois, in 1899. In 1909, a group of socially concerned women on the board of directors of Jane Addam's Hull House, became concerned with the rise of juvenile delinquency and established the Juvenile Psychopathic Institute, hiring William Healy, M.D., a neurologist, to be its first director. The American Academy of Child Psychiatry was founded in 1953, and the field continues to evolve.
Education
A child psychiatrist is a specialized medical doctor. Following an undergraduate course of study and admission to medical school, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry requires a child psychiatry candidate to complete four years of medical school, at least three years of approved residency training in medicine, neurology and general psychiatry with adults, and two years of additional specialized training in psychiatric work with children, adolescents and their families.
Assessment
The psychiatric assessment of a child or adolescent consists of a psychiatric history, parental interviews, an assessment of the child's physical health, developmental history, history of parental care, family relationships and history of parental mental illness. School input can also be a part of the assessment.
Behavioral and symptom rating scales are commonly used in assessments. Common rating scales are the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist, the Behavioral Assessment System for Children and the Connors Rating Scales. Psychiatrists often seek further testing such as IQ testing through the help of a cooperating child psychologist.
Diagnosis
The child and adolescent psychiatrist makes a diagnosis based on the pattern of behavior and emotional symptoms and the results of the interviews, observations and rating scales. Diagnostic criteria are set out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV-TR) and are a guide for understanding the mental health issues of a child. The child's social and environmental contexts are also taken into account in a diagnosis.
Treatment
Based on the assessment and diagnosis, a child psychiatrist may recommend a treatment plan. The treatment plan may include a referral to a psychologist or other mental health professional who can involve the child in a therapeutic relationship. Medication may be prescribed in conjunction with therapy.
