Expert articles on ADHD, autism, anxiety, OCD, depression, EMDR therapy, psychiatric evaluations, and more — written by Dr. Tarina Quraishi, MD, Stanford-trained, double board-certified pediatric and adult psychiatrist in Irvine, CA.
74 articles available.
Category: Anxiety & Panic • Published: May 25, 2026 • 6 min read
A panic attack can cause sudden chest tightness, racing heart, dizziness, and fear. A psychiatrist in Irvine CA can help with diagnosis and treatment.
Category: Anxiety & Panic • Published: May 25, 2026 • 7 min read
Yes—test anxiety and performance anxiety are treatable. A psychiatrist can provide evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment to improve focus and confidence.
Category: Anxiety & Panic • Published: May 25, 2026 • 7 min read
Teen anxiety is common, but when worry disrupts sleep, school, or relationships, a psychiatric evaluation can help with diagnosis and treatment.
Category: ADHD • Published: May 25, 2026 • 7 min read
ADHD can affect focus, organization, and daily life in kids and adults. A psychiatric evaluation can clarify diagnosis and treatment options.
Category: Autism • Published: May 25, 2026 • 7 min read
Autism is diagnosed through a detailed clinical evaluation of communication, behavior, and development, followed by personalized treatment and support.
Category: Anxiety & Panic • Published: May 25, 2026 • 7 min read
Anxiety becomes more than everyday stress when worry is persistent, hard to control, and starts affecting sleep, work, school, health, or relationships.
Category: Depression & Bipolar • Published: May 25, 2026 • 7 min read
Bipolar disorder causes shifts in mood, energy, sleep, and focus. A psychiatric evaluation can clarify diagnosis and guide effective treatment.
Category: OCD • Published: May 25, 2026 • 7 min read
OCD causes unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors that feel hard to control. A psychiatrist in Irvine CA can provide diagnosis and treatment.
Category: Depression & Bipolar • Published: May 23, 2026 • 7 min read
Seasonal depression is more than winter blues. If low mood, fatigue, sleep changes, and loss of interest return each year, a psychiatric evaluation can help.
Category: Autism • Published: May 23, 2026 • 6 min read
Autism-related sensory issues can improve with the right evaluation, routines, and coping strategies. Learn practical ways to support daily comfort and function.
Category: ADHD • Published: May 23, 2026 • 7 min read
Adult ADHD can cause distractibility, disorganization, and overwhelm. A psychiatric evaluation can clarify diagnosis and guide effective treatment.
Category: OCD • Published: May 21, 2026 • 7 min read
Yes, a child can have both OCD and ADHD. A careful psychiatric evaluation helps clarify symptoms, diagnosis, and the right treatment plan.
Category: Trauma Therapy • Published: May 19, 2026 • 7 min read
Complex PTSD can develop after prolonged trauma and may affect emotions, relationships, and self-worth. Treatment can help you feel safer and more stable.
Category: Trauma Therapy • Published: May 17, 2026 • 7 min read
Yes—trauma responses can show up as irritability, shutdown, anxiety, sleep problems, or feeling on edge. A psychiatric evaluation can clarify next steps.
Category: Anxiety & Panic • Published: May 17, 2026 • 6 min read
Social anxiety goes beyond shyness. If fear of judgment disrupts school, work, or relationships, a psychiatric evaluation and treatment can help.
Category: ADHD • Published: May 15, 2026 • 6 min read
Executive function is the brain’s self-management system. When ADHD affects it, planning, focus, organization, and follow-through become harder.
Category: Autism • Published: May 15, 2026 • 7 min read
Autism awareness means recognizing early signs, seeking accurate diagnosis, and supporting strengths with individualized treatment and evaluation.
Category: Trauma Therapy • Published: May 15, 2026 • 7 min read
Yes—EMDR may help some children with phobias, especially when fear is linked to distressing memories. A psychiatric evaluation guides diagnosis and treatment.
Category: ADHD • Published: May 15, 2026 • 7 min read
ADHD medication can be highly effective, but the best option depends on age, symptoms, side effects, and a careful psychiatric evaluation.
Category: Anxiety & Panic • Published: May 15, 2026 • 7 min read
Back-to-school anxiety is common, but when worry disrupts sleep, school attendance, or daily life, a psychiatric evaluation can help with diagnosis and treatment.
Category: Trauma Therapy • Published: May 15, 2026 • 7 min read
EMDR is a trauma-focused treatment that helps the brain reprocess distressing memories, often reducing symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and panic.
Category: Wellness • Published: May 15, 2026 • 7 min read
Improving mental health starts with sleep, stress management, support, and early evaluation when symptoms persist. A psychiatrist in Irvine CA can help.
Category: Autism • Published: May 15, 2026 • 7 min read
Autism diagnosis involves a detailed evaluation of communication, behavior, and development. A psychiatrist in Irvine CA can guide testing and treatment.
Category: Depression & Bipolar • Published: May 15, 2026 • 7 min read
Depression is more than feeling sad. If low mood, fatigue, hopelessness, or loss of interest lasts over 2 weeks, a psychiatric evaluation can help.
Category: Trauma Therapy • Published: May 13, 2026 • 7 min read
Yes—EMDR can help reduce panic attacks linked to childhood trauma by targeting the memories and body responses that keep the panic cycle going.
Category: Depression & Bipolar • Published: May 13, 2026 • 7 min read
Burnout and depression can look similar, but burnout is often tied to chronic stress while depression affects mood, sleep, energy, and daily functioning.
Category: Trauma Therapy • Published: May 12, 2026 • 7 min read
PTSD can cause flashbacks, avoidance, anxiety, and sleep problems after trauma. A psychiatric evaluation can clarify diagnosis and treatment options.
Category: Trauma Therapy • Published: May 11, 2026 • 7 min read
Trauma responses can appear as irritability, shutdown, people-pleasing, anxiety, or poor sleep—not just flashbacks. A psychiatric evaluation can help.
Category: Autism • Published: May 10, 2026 • 7 min read
Autism is diagnosed through a careful clinical evaluation of communication, behavior, and development, followed by personalized treatment and support.
Category: Anxiety & Panic • Published: May 10, 2026 • 7 min read
A panic attack is a sudden wave of intense fear with physical symptoms like racing heart, shortness of breath, and dizziness. Evaluation can help.
Category: Depression & Bipolar • Published: May 10, 2026 • 6 min read
Bipolar disorder is a mood condition causing episodes of depression and mania or hypomania. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment can help.
Category: OCD • Published: May 10, 2026 • 7 min read
OCD causes intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors that feel hard to control. A psychiatrist in Irvine CA can provide evaluation and treatment.
Category: Anxiety & Panic • Published: May 10, 2026 • 7 min read
You should consider seeing a psychiatrist for anxiety when worry, panic, or physical symptoms start affecting sleep, work, school, or relationships.
Category: ADHD • Published: May 10, 2026 • 7 min read
ADHD can affect focus, organization, and emotional regulation in both kids and adults. A psychiatric evaluation can clarify diagnosis and treatment options.
Category: Trauma Therapy • Published: May 9, 2026 • 7 min read
PTSD treatment with EMDR often takes 6 to 12 sessions for single-event trauma, but complex trauma may require longer evaluation and treatment.
Category: ADHD • Published: May 8, 2026 • 6 min read
Adult ADHD can cause distractibility, disorganization, and overwhelm. A psychiatric evaluation can clarify diagnosis and treatment options.
Category: Trauma Therapy • Published: May 7, 2026 • 7 min read
Complex PTSD can develop after ongoing trauma and may affect emotions, relationships, and self-worth. Treatment can help with diagnosis and recovery.
Category: ADHD • Published: May 6, 2026 • 7 min read
ADHD can affect communication, emotional regulation, and follow-through in relationships, but accurate diagnosis and treatment can help couples and families thrive.
Category: Academic Support • Published: May 5, 2026 • 6 min read
A 504 plan evaluation checks if a student needs school accommodations, while an IEP evaluation determines eligibility for special education services.
Category: Patient Q&A • Published: May 3, 2026 • 6 min read
Yes, this is common in ADHD. Video games provide instant rewards and constant stimulation, while homework demands sustained effort and delayed payoff.
Category: Academic Support • Published: May 2, 2026 • 7 min read
Students can qualify for SAT or ACT accommodations with documented ADHD, anxiety, learning, or medical conditions and a timely psychiatric evaluation.
Category: Patient Q&A • Published: May 1, 2026 • 7 min read
A typical OCD treatment plan for a child starts with a careful psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis, family education, and a personalized treatment plan.
Category: Trauma Therapy • Published: April 30, 2026 • 7 min read
Yes—EMDR can help some children with phobias, especially when fear is linked to a distressing memory or trauma. A psychiatric evaluation guides treatment.
Category: Patient Q&A • Published: April 29, 2026 • 7 min read
Yes—EMDR may help some children process trauma after witnessing domestic violence, reduce symptoms, and support healing with a psychiatric evaluation.
Category: Patient Q&A • Published: April 27, 2026 • 7 min read
If a disability evaluation psychiatrist disagrees with your regular doctor, it does not automatically mean either one is wrong. The difference often reflects purpose, timing, or records reviewed.
Category: Patient Q&A • Published: April 25, 2026 • 6 min read
If your employer is asking for FMLA paperwork for depression, you usually need a medical evaluation, diagnosis, and completed certification from a qualified clinician.
Category: Patient Q&A • Published: April 23, 2026 • 7 min read
Yes, a 4-year-old can have ADHD, but diagnosis requires a careful evaluation to separate normal preschool behavior from true symptoms.
Category: Depression & Bipolar • Published: April 20, 2026 • 7 min read
Burnout can look like depression, but the cause and treatment may differ. Learn key signs, when to seek help, and how a psychiatrist in Irvine CA can help.
Category: Patient Q&A • Published: April 19, 2026 • 6 min read
If your teenage daughter is self-harming, start with a pediatric & adult psychiatrist for a safety assessment, diagnosis, and personalized treatment plan.
Category: Patient Q&A • Published: April 17, 2026 • 7 min read
Start with education, school support, and a treatment plan. A pediatric & adult psychiatrist can guide ADHD evaluation, medication, and next steps.
Category: Patient Q&A • Published: April 16, 2026 • 6 min read
Yes, a 4-year-old can have ADHD, but diagnosis requires a careful evaluation to separate normal preschool behavior from true symptoms.
Category: OCD • Published: April 14, 2026 • 7 min read
OCD causes unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors that feel hard to control. A psychiatrist in Irvine CA can provide diagnosis and treatment.
Category: Patient Q&A • Published: April 13, 2026 • 6 min read
Yes, an autism diagnosis at 35 can be life-changing—and often relieving. It helps explain lifelong patterns and guides support, treatment, and self-understanding.
Category: Medication Management • Published: April 12, 2026 • 7 min read
ADHD medication for kids often starts with stimulants, but non-stimulant options can also help. A psychiatrist can guide safe evaluation and treatment.
Category: Patient Q&A • Published: April 11, 2026 • 6 min read
If a disability evaluation psychiatrist disagrees with your doctor, it does not automatically mean either one is wrong. The difference often reflects purpose, timing, or records reviewed.
Category: Academic Support • Published: April 10, 2026 • 6 min read
A 504 plan helps students with ADHD access classroom accommodations, while an IEP provides specialized instruction. The right choice depends on needs.
Category: Autism • Published: April 9, 2026 • 7 min read
Yes—many adults are diagnosed with autism later in life after years of feeling different. A thorough psychiatric evaluation can bring clarity and support.
Category: Trauma Therapy • Published: April 8, 2026 • 7 min read
EMDR and talk therapy can both help trauma. The best choice depends on your symptoms, goals, and evaluation by a psychiatrist in Irvine CA.
Category: Medication Management • Published: April 7, 2026 • 6 min read
Yes—many patients in California can see a psychiatrist without a referral, depending on their insurance plan. Coverage and next steps may vary.
Category: Medication Management • Published: April 6, 2026 • 7 min read
Antidepressants usually take 2 to 6 weeks to show meaningful improvement, though sleep, appetite, and anxiety may improve sooner than mood.
Category: Autism • Published: April 5, 2026 • 7 min read
Autism masking is when someone hides autistic traits to fit in. It can lead to stress, burnout, anxiety, and delayed diagnosis in children, teens, and adults.
Category: Wellness • Published: April 2, 2026 • 7 min read
Look for a pediatric psychiatrist in Irvine CA with board certification, thorough evaluation, clear treatment plans, and experience with children and teens.
Category: Medication Management • Published: March 30, 2026 • 6 min read
Many mental health conditions improve most when medication and therapy are combined, especially depression, anxiety, ADHD, OCD, and bipolar disorder.
Category: Anxiety & Panic • Published: March 27, 2026 • 7 min read
A panic attack can cause sudden chest tightness, racing heart, dizziness, and fear. With the right evaluation and treatment, panic symptoms can improve.
Category: Evaluations • Published: March 21, 2026 • 7 min read
A psychiatric disability evaluation reviews symptoms, functioning, history, and records to clarify diagnosis, treatment needs, and disability documentation.
Category: ADHD • Published: March 16, 2026 • 6 min read
ADHD and anxiety can look alike, but the right evaluation can clarify the cause of distractibility, restlessness, and overwhelm—and guide treatment.
Category: ADHD • Published: March 9, 2026 • 7 min read
ADHD medication helps regulate brain chemicals involved in focus, impulse control, and attention. Most people notice benefits quickly, with close monitoring.
Category: Academic Support • Published: March 7, 2026 • 6 min read
504 Plans and IEPs support children with ADHD in schools. Learn which may be right for your child with insights from Dr. Tarina Quraishi in Irvine, CA.
Category: Trauma Therapy • Published: February 27, 2026 • 6 min read
Explore complex PTSD with Dr. Quraishi, a specialist in trauma treatment for pediatric and adult patients in Irvine, CA.
Category: Trauma Therapy • Published: January 20, 2026 • 8 min read
Learn how Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) helps heal trauma, PTSD, and anxiety in children and adults through this evidence-based therapy.
Category: Evaluations • Published: January 18, 2026 • 6 min read
A comprehensive guide to Family and Medical Leave Act psychiatric evaluations, what to expect, and how they can help protect your job while addressing mental health needs.
Category: ADHD • Published: January 15, 2026 • 7 min read
Discover how executive function coaching helps children and adults with ADHD develop organizational skills, time management, and self-regulation strategies.
Category: Academic Support • Published: January 12, 2026 • 6 min read
Learn how to obtain academic accommodations for ADHD, anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions to support educational success.
Category: Autism • Published: January 10, 2026 • 9 min read
Everything you need to know about autism spectrum disorder testing, the evaluation process, and what diagnosis means for children and adults.