Psychiatric Evaluations and Consultations with Dr. Chris Pagnani MD at Rittenhouse Psychiatric

Chris Pagnani, MD of Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates discusses his one-time three hour psychiatric evaluations and consultations. Evaluations are for patients struggling with anxiety (Panic d/o, OCD, Generalized Anxiety, PTSD), depression (Major Depressive Disorder, Dysthymia, Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder, Postpartum Depression), Bipolar Disorder (Types 1 and 2) and ADHD. If a patient has a substance abuse problem (but is not currently physiologically dependent) an evaluation may be appropriate as well. Evaluations include a written report of the patient's medical and psychiatric history, any diagnosis and recommended next steps. With patient agreement, family involvement is welcome for about 30 minutes (the bulk of the evaluation is done one-on-one as Dr. Pagnani finds that patients are more open and honest when discussing sensitive topics).
Dr. Pagnani is an Instructor at The Johns Hopkins Hospital for the Department of Psychiatry, he supervises Psychiatric Residents at Jefferson Hospital and he is the Medical Director and Founder of Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates.
Dr. Pagnani does NOT write patients for any medications at this evaluation or afterwards. Patients seen are not added to his private practice case-load. He is not responsible for the patient's medical care, urgent or emergency situations that arise for these patients moving forward, or any future appointments or prescriptions. Again, this is a one-time evaluation with report, to help guide the patient's current or future provider, with next steps and recommendations. Patients can return to their primary care providers, OGBYNs, local psychiatrists or other medical providers with the report. Dr. Pagnani will also (with a signed release and with cooperation from the patient's provider) discuss the case directly with their provider, after the evaluation.
*As no prescriptions are written, and these are one-time evaluations, Dr. Pagnani can perform evaluations for individuals living in any state where he is licensed: PA, NJ, NY, CA, MD, DE and Florida.
Some patients may also choose to follow-up with a provider within Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates, based on availability. The providers at Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates do not have inpatient admitting privileges, true emergency coverage or on-call social workers or medical residents. Therefore, if a patient has a history of inpatient psychiatric admissions, psychosis, suicide attempts, or is assessed as high risk, we will be unable to schedule them for follow-up within our practice for safety reasons. The providers are Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates specialize in the treatment of moderate levels of psychiatric illness. Of note, if a patient is evaluated by Dr. Pagnani and transitioned to a provider within Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates, he will make himself available to that provider on a regular basis, to discuss the patient's care at their provider's request. However, he would not interfere directly with the care of the patient by taking calls or emails from the patient, or re-discussing the case with the patient directly.
We are seeing an increase in the availability of mental health treatment, which is wonderful, and Dr. Pagnani commends providers who treat mental illness (even if it's not their primary specialty). With that said, sometimes it can be helpful in these circumstances to have someone trained specifically in Psychiatry complete a one-time consultation, to provide a second opinion or recommended next steps.
We're also seeing an increase in providers and even some on-line companies who will see patients for very short periods of time, make a quick diagnosis, and then prescribe patients multiple medications (some of which, even having abuse potential). Dr. Pagnani's service, allows patients to have a complete and thorough psychiatric evaluation and report, with the goal of providing an accurate diagnosis, and providing a plan for the patient and their provider, that is individualized, complete, holistic and evidenced based. While controlled medications may be discussed as an option, Dr. Pagnani's will always try to provide options for patients that have limited abuse potential, are not controlled, and do not cause significant physiological dependence. He will also try to provide options that will minimize the number of medications prescribed (if medications are even applicable) and limit the dose of those medications when they are.
Finally, Dr. Pagnani has been trained specifically in helping individuals come OFF of psychiatric medications that have abuse potential and that cause physiological dependence. If appropriate, he will also include information in his report for how to taper certain medications, or stop medications, that a patient has been prescribed, which may be causing difficulty, distress or additional problems.
Visit www.ChrisPagnaniMD.com for more information or call Amy at 267- 687 - 0655 x 1 or [e-mail].