top of page
Phone: 888-855-0947 Office Hours: M-F 10am-6pm Fax: 346-766-0599
After hours: If urgent, life threatening (please call 988, 911, or go to nearest ER. Otherwise, for side effects to medications, please text 816-766-0119. For all other non-urgent issues, please contact us Practice Q messaging portal or contact us during clinic hours at 888-855-0947.
Mental health providers
a women crying while holding a hand
a boy bow down on floor
Mental health providers
1/3
Ready for your Mental Health Transformation?
Child Psychiatrist /Adult Psychiatrist
Blog
Search
How Some Psychiatrists Reinforce Mental Health Stigma
The persistence of poor-quality psychiatric care in 2026, despite medication advancements, is driven by systemic, clinical, and biological factors. 1. Systemic and Business Drivers Modern psychiatric practice is often shaped more by healthcare system characteristics than by clinical needs. Time Constraints: The current business model often requires psychiatrists to see four patients per hour to remain profitable, leaving only 15 minutes per visit. This brief timeframe makes
Vilash Reddy, MD
6 hours ago2 min read
Is Psychiatry Respected in Healthcare?
Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MDs or DOs) who complete the same four years of medical school as any other specialist, such as a cardiologist or surgeon. Because they are licensed physicians, they have broad legal authority to prescribe medication, though they often refer to other specialists for non-psychiatric issues to avoid malpractice risks. Medical Knowledge and Training Identical Foundation: Psychiatrists spend four years in medical school studying anatomy, pharma
Vilash Reddy, MD
5 days ago2 min read
How Psychiatrists Recognize Errors in Other Treatments
Psychoanalytic child and adult psychiatrists can identify medical conditions missed by other specialists because they are trained medical doctors who utilize a "whole-person" diagnostic approach . While other specialists may focus narrowly on a single organ, psychiatrists often spend more time gathering detailed histories that uncover systemic issues. How Psychiatrists Identify Non-Psychiatric Conditions Psychiatrists often "out-diagnose" other fields by identifying medical m
Vilash Reddy, MD
5 days ago2 min read
Is It Neurological or Psychiatric? Why the Distinction Isn’t Always Clear
The professional tension between neurologists and psychiatrists is deeply rooted in a historical divide between "brain" and "mind" that continues to influence medical culture in 2026. The Historical and Philosophical Divide The rift began in the late 19th century when neurology and psychiatry split into separate disciplines. Physical vs. Behavioral: Neurologists traditionally focus on "organic" disorders with visible physical signs (like stroke or Parkinson’s), while psychia
Vilash Reddy, MD
5 days ago2 min read
Mental Illness Does Not Make You Subhuman
In 2026, mental health continues to face structural and interpersonal discrepancies that distinguish it from other medical fields, often resulting in what patients and providers describe as devaluing or "subhuman" treatment compared to physical health counterparts . Structural Discrepancies Systemic Underfunding: Mental health research and clinical services historically receive significantly lower funding than physical health, a disparity termed "structural stigma". Insuranc
Vilash Reddy, MD
5 days ago3 min read
How is Psychosis Diagnosed in a Person with TBI?
This situation involves potentially severe violations of medical standards and civil rights across two different systems. In 2026, legal precedents clearly establish that both hospitals and correctional facilities have a duty of care that includes both physical and mental health. Potential Lawsuits Against the Hospital A hospital can be sued for medical malpractice or negligence if their care falls below the "standard of care"what a reasonable physician would do in the same s
Vilash Reddy, MD
7 days ago4 min read
A Jungian Reading of Psychotic Symptoms in Childhood
In Jungian analysis, the development of these symptoms in a 10-year-old child represents a "lowering of the mental level" ( abaissement du niveau mental), where the ego becomes too weak to filter out intense contents from the unconscious. Jung viewed psychosis not as "nonsense," but as a highly symbolic attempt by the psyche to compensate for a deep-seated lack of balance. The NBA Player Obsession (The Hero Archetype): Jung would see this as a manifestation of the Hero Archet
Vilash Reddy, MD
Jan 262 min read
Physical Activity as a Treatment for Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders
Key Takeaways Individuals with SSDs experience significant disability, compounded by treatment-resistant symptoms and physical health multimorbidity, leading to a premature mortality gap. Physical activity offers dual benefits for physical and mental health, improving cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and mental health outcomes in individuals with SSDs. Barriers to PA engagement include individual and environmental factors, but fostering autonomous motivation and
Vilash Reddy, MD
Jan 236 min read
A New Lens on Pharmacotherapy for ADHD in Pregnancy
Key Takeaways ADHD symptoms can worsen during and after pregnancy, necessitating careful consideration of medication continuation. Automatic discontinuation of ADHD medication in pregnancy poses risks, requiring individualized treatment plans. Recent studies show mixed data on medication effects, with concerns about congenital malformations and preterm birth. No significant long-term neurodevelopmental risks have been found with continued ADHD medication during pregnancy. A c
Vilash Reddy, MD
Jan 184 min read
Medications for Opioid Use Disorder
Wonder drugs” for opioid use disorder look different on the streets than in medical journals. Key points Medications for opioid use disorder have downsides that don't appear in most of the medical literature. Fentanyl use is up even though overdose deaths are down. Full-abstinence recovery is both possible and beneficial for many patients. Nearly all Americans are aware of the U.S. opioid crisis. Overdose deaths increased sixfold between 2003 and 2023, from 12,940 to 79,358.
Vilash Reddy, MD
Jan 164 min read
Bipolar Disorder Is Not a Mood Disorder
Stephen M. Strakowski, MD: Hello, and thank you so much for turning into our conversation today. I’m excited to have Dr Sheri Johnson here to talk about bipolar disorder in a different way than we typically do. Dr Johnson is a distinguished professor at the University of California Berkeley and is truly the world’s expert in reward processing in bipolar disorder and mania, which is the conversation today. Dr Johnson, welcome. Sheri L. Johnson, PhD: Thanks so much for having
Vilash Reddy, MD
Jan 210 min read
Is This Mental Health Prevention or Treatment?
Untangling potential differences between prevention and treatment interventions. Key points Being able to prevent the onset of mental health problems is a critical need. Unlike in some other areas, the distinction between prevention and treatment in mental health is less clear. Many research studies that claim to focus on prevention actually have many components of treatment. It is worthwhile to separate these areas better and look for possible differences. As the number of p
Vilash Reddy, MD
Dec 21, 20253 min read
ADHD: Correcting Careless
Key Takeaways Social media spreads misinformation about ADHD, leading to stigma, underdiagnosis, and inadequate treatment, especially in adults. ADHD involves impaired response inhibition, with diverse presentations often misunderstood, affecting diagnosis and treatment. The Psychiatric Times' Special Report provides evidence-based resources to counter misinformation and promote accurate understanding. Professionals should use evidence-based resources to guide discussions and
Vilash Reddy, MD
Dec 7, 20254 min read
Kratom-7 OH: Kratom on Steroids
Alkaloid 7-hydroxymitragynine: What is it, and what are the risks? Keypoint: Kratom is an herbal extract that comes from the leaves of a tree in Southeast Asia. Kratom-7 OH is a synthetic form of kratom that is highly potent. Kratom-7 OH has risks similar to opioids. Kratom, a Southeast Asian tree in the coffee family, has become widely available in the United States in various forms for several years now. It is often sold at convenience stores, gas stations, and online. As a
Vilash Reddy, MD
Dec 5, 20254 min read
Early Signal AD Meds May Help Children With Autism and Low IQ
Early research has linked Alzheimer’s disease (AD) medications cholinesterase inhibitors and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists to modest cognitive benefits in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and comorbid cognitive disability. The preliminary evidence, which is drawn from a mix of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, case series, and case reports suggests these medications most frequently had a positive effect on lear
Vilash Reddy, MD
Dec 5, 20255 min read
What Doctors Should Know About Viral Sleep Trends
David Beuther, MD, PhD, isn’t quite sure how to define his presence on social media. He’s online regularly, but he’s not publishing posts or sending friend request. Instead he’s observing, what is being discussed online related to healthcare. While he’s often encouraged by the availability of helpful information that is shared by reliable sources, he’s equally worried how quickly misinformation and unsubstantiated claims can spread — often to those who should instead be recei
Vilash Reddy, MD
Dec 1, 20257 min read
Is Your Child's Behavior Actually a Sign of Neuroinflammation?
How neuroinflammation is misdiagnosed and mistreated by clinicians. Key points Kids with inflamed brains are misdiagnosed with behavior problems instead of neuroimmune conditions. Standard intakes miss infections, flares, and neuroimmune red flags that precede “sudden” psychiatric decline. Before labeling kids, we must rule out neuroinflammation and treat the immune system, not just the behavior. Our children are sitting in therapy offices with inflamed brains. Psychiatrists
Vilash Reddy, MD
Nov 24, 20256 min read
No Clear Evidence of Tylenol-Autism Link, Major Review Shows
There is no clear evidence that acetaminophen use during pregnancy causes autism spectrum disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, a comprehensive review of existing research has concluded. The findings, drawn from nine systematic reviews covering 40 studies, suggested that any apparent association observed in earlier research may be explained by shared genetic and environmental factors within families rather than by the analgesic itself. “Giv
Vilash Reddy, MD
Nov 14, 20253 min read
How Ultrasound Works Inside the Brain
A familiar diagnostic tool also has other uses, including in the brain. Key points Successful detection of enemy submarines paved the way for the use of ultrasound in medical diagnosis. Low-intensity ultrasound’s gentle warming is used to treat damaged muscles A high-intensity focused beam may become a treatment option for Parkinson’s disease. As with deep brain stimulation, attempts will be made to establish a wider use in psychiatry. Medical ultrasound is widely known. Card
Vilash Reddy, MD
Nov 14, 20254 min read
What Is Conduct Disorder? Recognizing Behavioral Issues in Children
Every child acts out from time to time, arguing with their parents, breaking rules, or pushing boundaries. These behaviors are frequently considered normal part of growing up. However, if a child consistently exhibits patterns of aggression, deception, defiance, or violation of others' rights, this may indicate a more serious mental health condition known as Conduct Disorder. Understanding conduct disorder is critical for parents, educators, and caregivers. Early identificat
Vilash Reddy, MD
Oct 30, 20252 min read
bottom of page