Why should I see a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner instead of waiting for a child psychiatrist?

Because waiting 6+ months while your child struggles is often more harmful than seeking equivalent care now. Research shows that PMHNPs provide the same quality of medication management and mental health treatment as psychiatrists for common conditions like ADHD, anxiety, and depression. Our PMHNP has full prescriptive authority, diagnostic training, and years of specialized experience. Practical advantages include: You can typically be seen within 2-4 weeks instead of 6+ months; Longer appointment times (45+ minutes vs. 15-20 minutes with many psychiatrists); Integrated care with your child's primary care provider; Better insurance acceptance and lower out-of-pocket costs; Reduced stigma (receiving care in a family medicine setting vs. psychiatric clinic). Every month your child spends untreated affects their academic trajectory, social development, and self-esteem. Research documents that early intervention produces better long-term outcomes.

What's the difference between a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and a regular Nurse Practitioner?

Education and certification are completely different. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) complete: Bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) - 4 years; Registered Nurse (RN) licensure and clinical experience; Master's or Doctoral degree in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing - additional 2-3 years of specialized graduate education; National board certification in psychiatric-mental health; Full prescriptive authority for psychiatric medications including controlled substances. A Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) has general medical training. A PMHNP has specialized psychiatric training equivalent to what a psychiatrist receives—diagnosing mental health conditions, prescribing psychiatric medications, providing therapy, and managing complex cases.

Will medication change my child's personality?

This is one of the most common fears, and research directly addresses it: No, properly dosed psychiatric medication does not change personality. For ADHD: Improves the brain's ability to regulate attention, control impulses, and manage emotions. Children report feeling 'more like themselves' because they can finally focus and make choices rather than being controlled by impulses. For anxiety: Reduces excessive worry and physical anxiety symptoms, allowing the child's actual personality to emerge from underneath debilitating fear. What parents often interpret as 'personality change': When a previously hyperactive, impulsive child can suddenly sit still and focus, it might feel like a different child. But parents consistently report: 'For the first time, I'm seeing who my child really is when they're not struggling.' Red flag signs of incorrect dosing (which our provider monitors carefully): Child seems emotionally flat or withdrawn; Loss of enthusiasm or spontaneity; Zombie-like demeanor. These are signs the dose is too high or the medication isn't right—not inevitable effects of treatment.

How do I know if my child's symptoms are bad enough to need medication?

The research-based answer: If symptoms are causing significant functional impairment, treatment is warranted. Ask yourself these questions (developed from clinical diagnostic criteria): Is your child failing classes despite trying hard? Do they have few or no friends due to behavioral issues? Is anxiety preventing them from participating in normal childhood activities? Are they getting in trouble at school regularly? Is homework causing hours of frustration and family conflict every night? Have they expressed feeling 'different' or 'stupid' compared to peers? Are symptoms affecting their self-esteem or causing depression? If you answered yes to any of these, evaluation is appropriate. Research shows that untreated ADHD and anxiety have cumulative negative effects over time. Early intervention produces better outcomes. The question isn't 'Are symptoms bad enough?' but rather 'Is this affecting my child's ability to thrive?'

What if my child refuses to take medication?

Adolescent resistance to medication is common and understandable. For younger children (6-11): Parents make medical decisions. However, explaining in age-appropriate terms helps: 'This medicine helps your brain work better so school isn't so hard.' Many children are relieved when they finally experience what it feels like to focus. For adolescents (12+): Resistance often comes from not wanting to feel 'different,' peer stigma, fear of side effects, or normal desire for autonomy. Our psychiatric provider's approach with resistant teens: Have a direct conversation: 'What are you worried about?'; Address specific fears with research and facts; Propose a trial period: 'Try it for one month. If you hate it, we stop.'; Involve them in decision-making (which medication, what dose, timing); Frame it as giving them choice and control in their life, not taking it away. Research shows that adolescents who participate in treatment decisions have better adherence.

Does Bamboo Family Clinic accept my insurance for psychiatric services?

Bamboo Family Clinic accepts over 50 insurance plans including Medicaid, Medicare, TRICARE, and most major commercial insurers. Psychiatric services with our PMHNP are billed through your regular medical insurance—not separate mental health coverage. This matters because: You use your regular medical copay (typically $20-50), not specialty mental health copay (often $75-150); Services are integrated with your child's overall medical care; No need to navigate separate mental health insurance systems. Accepted plans include: Nevada Medicaid, Medicare, TRICARE, Blue Cross, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Health Plan of Nevada, Humana, Cigna, and many more. Call (702) 483-2969 to verify your specific plan.

Can our psychiatric nurse practitioner prescribe ADHD medication even though she's not a doctor?

Yes, absolutely. This is a common misconception that prevents families from getting help. In Nevada, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners have full, independent prescriptive authority for all psychiatric medications including: Stimulant medications for ADHD (Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse, Concerta, etc.); Non-stimulant ADHD medications (Strattera, Intuniv, Kapvay); Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications (SSRIs, SNRIs); Mood stabilizers; Any other psychiatric medication. Our PMHNP can prescribe Schedule II controlled substances (ADHD stimulants) and practices independently with no physician supervision required in Nevada. She has her own DEA number and prescribes independently. This is equivalent authority to what a child psychiatrist has—because the training and certification standards are equivalent for medication management of mental health conditions.

What if we've already tried medication with another provider and it didn't work?

Tried medication and it didn't work can mean many different things, and a fresh evaluation often uncovers what went wrong. Common reasons for treatment 'failure': Wrong diagnosis (What looked like ADHD might have been anxiety, or vice versa); Wrong medication (First-line treatment doesn't work for everyone; alternatives exist); Wrong dose (Too low to be effective, or too high causing intolerable side effects); Insufficient trial period (Some medications especially for anxiety take 4-6 weeks to work); Timing issues (Medication wearing off before homework time); Unaddressed co-occurring conditions (Untreated sleep disorder, learning disability, or family stress undermining treatment). Our psychiatric provider's comprehensive evaluation can identify what went wrong and develop a new treatment plan. Research shows that nearly all children can find effective treatment with proper medication trials and dose adjustment—it just requires systematic problem-solving. Don't give up if the first attempt didn't work. Bring previous medication trials history to your appointment so our provider knows what's been tried and can chart a different course.