Ricardo Bernal M.D.
My work as a psychiatrist is to interview you or your child, and find the emotional, behavioral or cognitive symptoms that cause you personal distress or impairment in work, social or educational settings. Like all of those that do this type of work, the framework that I use is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSMS); the American Psychiatric Association (APA) creates and publishes the DSM-5. It involves a large team of experts, including psychiatrists, psychologists, and other professionals, who work together to develop and revise the manual. It contains consensus criteria for the diagnosis of psychiatric conditions.
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MENTAL HEALT ENTITIES
Somebody told me that.
"My neighbor told me that my child will become a zombie on that stimulant stuff..."
Your child will probably behave in a way that may be unexpected, yet positive. Quite frequently, the improvement is so dramatic that you feel that your child is not "the same". Nevertheless, that change is usually highly appropriate: better listening, following instructions, completion of tasks at home and in school. The child's level of activity will be lower and he will create less disruption. The child will be much better embraced by adults and other children due to his better understanding of the general expectations of those. Nevertheless, if you find that he is "too quiet" or "too withdrawn", there's a chance that medication dose may need to be adjusted or medication may need to be changed. Mention it to your doctor.
Somebody told me that.
"I've heard that children don't eat well on the stimulant..."
It is actually true that children's appetite may be lessened by the medication: it's usually an unwanted side-effect. I usually recommend giving children a hearty breakfast and dinner, before and after medicine is "active" in their body. You can always discuss a different medication trial, medication to enhance your child's appetite. Supplementing their meals with energy/protein/vitamin-combo drinks is another way to handle the medication side-effect.
Somebody told me that.
"Someone told me that the stimulant messes-up their growth...."
Within the last two years, a rather famous study (Multimodal Treatment Study of Children with ADHD - MTA) done with 370 children suggested that "Growth suppression was maximal in the first year, decreased in the second year, and absent in the third year".
How we do it
Dr. Bernal is a firm believer that your psychiatrist should team up with you and create a strong, trusting relationship.
The office is open Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 12 pm.
Dr. Bernal ensures his availability once he has seen you. You and Or. Bernal have come to an agreement regarding treatment approach. That is, should you run into impasses with your medication, he will ensure that you can text/call or be seen at the office or through telehealth alternatives within 48 hours.
Prescription refills can be ordered by leaving. Messages on our office voicemail. Refills are typically processed within 48 hours. (2 working days)
"I take much pride at offering active listening to each and every one of my patients. I perform comprehensive and dynamic assessments that take into consideration ongoing developmental changes of the brain in young patients and potential co-existing diagnoses in adults. I invite you to come and attend a totally different experience with a professional that will respect cultural background, will outline different treatment options and will be involved in addressing your needs based on your expectations.
What we do?
We provide comprehensive Psychiatric Services in Orlando for children, adolescents and adults. As a psychiatrist, Dr. Bernal works to help people and families struggling with mental illness and cognitive disorders to improve the quality of their lives. He has a passion for providing personalized treatment to help others
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Attention Deficit
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Hyperactivity
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Disorder Anxiety
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Depression
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Bipolar Disorder
Dr. Bernal goes above and beyond only managing medications, as he likes to coordinate treatment with counselors and primary doctors. He also provides supportive and solution oriented psychotherapy. If he believes medication and his psychotherapeutic approach is insufficient to improve symptoms, he will recommend psychotherapy
SERVICES
Ricardo Bernal MD completes a Clinical Interview and usually is able to give patients a preliminary impression in regards to the needs for treatment, at that point.
However, it is not unusual that further information or additional assessments from other specialties may be required for a more comprehensive therapeutic plan to be established.
01
Psychiatric Consultation to Children
Typically, Dr. Bernal will see the parent (s) and child on the first appointment. Because most knowledge and inferences about mental disorders of a child derive from the child's responses, parents may be asked questions only after Dr. Bernal feels that the child has warmed-up to the interview. Scales, surveys or other tools may be needed and will be requested if additional information is warranted from school or other parties.
02
Psychiatric Consultation to Adolescents
Typically, Dr. Bernal will see the parent (s) and adolescent on the first appointment. Because most knowledge and inferences about mental disorders derive from the adolescent's responses, parents may be asked questions only once
03
Psychiatric consultation to Adults
On your initial visit, one hour will be devoted to getting to know of your symptoms: as a team, we will decide if you may or may not benefit from medication treatment. Laboratory testing may be ordered if there are concerns regarding the possible existence of a medical condition underlying your psychiatric disorder.
ABOUT
Ricardo Bernal M.D.
Dr. Bernal is a Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist, with Board Certification in Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. He was born in Colombia and is bilingual in Spanish and English.
Dr. Bernal fulfilled training requirements in psychiatry at Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center in New York. He also completed Sub-Specialty Training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry with Texas A&M University at Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple, Texas.
"I take much pride in offering active listening to every one of my patients. I perform comprehensive and dynamic assessments that consider ongoing developmental changes of the brain in young patients and potential co-existing diagnoses in adults. I invite you to come and attend a totally different experience with a professional who will respect your cultural background, will outline different treatment options, and will be involved in addressing your needs based on your expectations.
I am blessed to have a good working relationship with a team of therapists that provide a variety of psycho-therapeutic modalities to accommodate your needs. Together we will orchestrate a treatment plan that will address your expectations".
