I share custody of my pre-teen son with my X and she is having problems controlling him. She has found a
psychiatrist who has diagonosed him as bi-polar however my son never, and I mean never shows syptoms
(according to my research) of bi-polar behavior.
Does anyone out there know of a good child-psychologist who I can take my son to for another opinion?
COMMENT 291821
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2012-06-27 09:01 AM |
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Ian Kaminsky is great. Knows his stuff.
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COMMENT 291825
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2012-06-27 09:06 AM |
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Dr. James Angelos on De La Guerra St.
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COMMENT 291828
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2012-06-27 09:08 AM |
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Dr. Jordan Witt is great. 28 W Arrellaga St
He is also used by the Santa Barbara School District. Good luck.
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COMMENT 291843P
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2012-06-27 09:39 AM |
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Hope he is not using uppers. Crack, coke, speed, mimic bi-polar disorder and a person has to be drug free for a least 6 months for the diagnosis of bi-polar disorder to be accurate. Also be aware that the diagnosis is used frequently inappropriately. Why? Because, for most insurances, it is reimbursable. And every provider has a stake in getting paid. You are right to be wearing your skeptic hat.
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COMMENT 291844
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2012-06-27 09:41 AM |
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I recommend that instead of taking a confrontational tone, you make an effort to see where she's coming on this FIRST. Ask to meet with the doctor who made the diagnosis and IF it still seems fishy to you, THEN put the kid through the ordeal of another evaluation. Believe me when I tell you, opening up on the level necessary for a good evaluation is not easy and is often traumatizing. Not to mention the further erosion of your relationship with the mother....
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COMMENT 291850P
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2012-06-27 09:49 AM |
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Go with a psychiatrist -- when my teenage daughter was depressed, a psychologist told me she was bi-polar. I didn't believe it and asked her pediatrician, who recommended Dr. Iona Tripathi, a pediatric psychiatrist, who worked wonders. I've also heard good things about Dr. Neal Mazur.
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COMMENT 291899
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2012-06-27 10:48 AM |
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A good family therapist to treat the entire family unit is the better choice. Because everyone is affected, not just the targeted and labeled child.
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COMMENT 291913
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2012-06-27 11:06 AM |
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Claire Mercurio or Lani Votaw on Mission....both excellent!!
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COMMENT 291923
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2012-06-27 11:20 AM |
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It runs in my family. Is there a history of it in your or her family? It used to be referred to as manic depression. Psychiatrist Dr. Pedro Guimaraes
Psychologist Peter D Claydon, PHD
Both in SB
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COMMENT 291936
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2012-06-27 11:34 AM |
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Very rare to be diagnosed with biploar that young. Mean age at diagnosis is 15-19 give or take. I'd be suspicious.
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COMMENT 291961P
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2012-06-27 12:07 PM |
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This is my line of work and I have listed the three top psychiatrists in Santa Barbara for evaluation of bi-polar disorder. You absolutely need to see a psychiatrist not a psychologist for a complete evaluation. Below in order of preference.
Reuben A Weininger MD
1227 De La Vina St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 569-3313
Dr. James Moghtader
Pesetas Multi-Specialty Clinic
215 Pesetas Ln
Santa Barbara, CA 93110 Dr John Cervantes
923 Olive St. St.3 Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 963-2918
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COMMENT 291991
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2012-06-27 12:53 PM |
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961P-you are absolutely right. I second Dr. Moghtader. You need a qualified professional to put things in perspective for you and give you an accurate diagnosis. I hope that it works out for you and your son - your care and concern will go far in helping him through this.
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COMMENT 292055
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2012-06-27 03:02 PM |
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Dr.Louise Ousley, psychologist on 1819 state street
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COMMENT 292162
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2012-06-27 05:55 PM |
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I was very depressed and mood swings were awful when I was 12. I saw Dr. Peter Claydon who helped me out of all the depression and the mood swings. When my father passed away Dr, Claydon helped my whole family especially my mother. I highly reccommend him.
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MERIDEE
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2012-06-28 06:52 AM |
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Dr. Roland Rotz in Carpenteria-telephone # 566-0441. He is an incredible psychologist and human being! You will be happy that you contacted him! I have seen him myself, and can't say enough.
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COMMENT 292323
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2012-06-28 09:10 AM |
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A psychologist or psychiatrist are excellent resources, I recommend this approach. But is the child taking it out on his mother for the divorce, blames her and not you? Might not be bi-polar as she claims and you don't see any symptoms. But get a medical opinion on that, and God speed.
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COMMENT 292330
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2012-06-28 09:24 AM |
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Dr. John Cervante psychiatrist and dr. Louise Ousley psychologist
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CURIOUS
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2012-06-28 11:03 AM |
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I was a marriage and family counselor before I retired some years ago. I found it best to avoid psychiatrists as resources whenever possible. At that time they seemed mostly to be good at coming up with a few diagnoses for which they had pills that were supposed to help (and which occasionally did, even if only for a while...) So I agree with 899 and 936. I think the family counseling is probably the best choice, a psychologist who knows his/her stuff is next best, and the psychiatrist is OK if you're ready to dose the boy with pills. Of course things may have changed significantly over the last decade or so, and I am out of the loop now. Even so, and barring further info, I have to stand by my recommendation. Good luck to you and your son!
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COMMENT 292369P
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2012-06-28 11:22 AM |
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Don Slutzky is a psychiatrist, as is his father. He's laid back, and very very good, easily relating to children and parents, and targeting what is going on in a non-blaming manner. Also, look for signs of abuse of some stranger (not insinuating whatsoever your exe or you), but perhaps someone who works with children such as a camp counselor, or a neighborhood "acquaintance/friend". This happened to my child, and caused a lifetime of suffering for not only my child, but our entire family. My child remembered this horror only in his 30's. Believe me, if we had only known. Best of luck finding a great Angel who will help you all.
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COMMENT 292522
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2012-06-28 08:20 PM |
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Elaine Jacobs MFT works well with children and their families. She understands the various diagnoses that children can be given and is great at explaining what the child might be experiencing as well as with helping the child. 2429 Bath Street.
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