Contact Information

Richard Wachsman, M.D. A.M.C.
3252 Holiday Court, Suite 105
La Jolla, CA. 92037

T: 858-453-1145
F: 858-453-1796
Email: wachsmanmedical@gmail.com

Services

Dr. Richard Wachsman

Dr. Wachsman focuses treatment to best address the unique issues of each patient. A significant part of his practice is dedicated to helping patients who have not improved with past treatment. With new patients, he takes the time to get to know you. His approach is comprehensive, taking into consideration your mental, physical, family issues, and social concerns as a whole.

In the Media

Dr. Richard Wachsman pioneered a radio talk show on CBS radio with an audience of 400,000 people. Many people with psychiatric and addictive illnesses were helped. One goal was to reduce Prejudice, stigma, and discrimination in a public forum. Many listeners called to get information about a friend or relative. Some called for information and advice to gain access to care.

Testimonials

"Very knowledgable about psychiatric and medical problems. He greatly improved my once disabling depression & gave me back my life." --Jane C.

Dr Wachsman is a compassionate sincere man who responds to his patients problems with ample understanding.--Mary F.

Treatments

Credentials

IDENTIFICATION

Dr. Wachsman is a 65-year-old male, married with three children, ages 35, 32, and 23.  He has maintained a private practice of Psychiatry in San Diego, Ca. since 1976.  He is a licensed Physician and Surgeon in California since 1972 to the present.

EDUCATION

    • - Resident in Psychiatry, U.C.S.D. School of Medicine, University and Veterans  Administration Hospitals, San Diego, Ca. 1972-1975.

    - Intern in Psychiatry, Medicine, and Neurology, U.C.S.D. School of Medicine,  University and Veterans Administration Hospitals, San Diego, Ca. 1972-1973.

    • - Medical School, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Mo. 1968-1972.
    • - B.A. Zoology, Cum Laude.  Pre-Medical Education, University of California at Los Angeles, 1968.     

  • PAST HOSPITAL APPOINTMENTS

    - Paradise Valley Hospital, National City, Ca. 1989-2003. Senior Staff  Physician.
  • - This facility was formerly called Bay View Hospital, a private psychiatric hospital.
  • - Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, Ca. Attending Physician, 1976 to 2007.
    - Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego, Courtesy Consulting 1976 to 2010.
  • - Sharp Mesa Vista Psychiatric Hospital San Diego, Ca., Senior Staff. 1976 to 2010.    
  • - Sharp Vista Pacifica, Residential Substance Abuse Treatment, Psychiatric Attending.

    HOSPITAL POSITIONS

    -Executive Medical Director, Bay View Hospital, Chula Vista, Ca.1994-2000. Private Psychiatry Hospital, 64 Beds and Out Patient and Partial Day Hospital.

    - Medical Director Bay View Hospital, Chula Vista, Ca. 2000-2003. My title changed when Paradise Valley Hospital placed Bay View Hospital under its license.

    - Chief of Staff, Southwood Hospital, Chula Vista, Ca. 1993. This facility Name was changed to Bay View Hospital in 1994.

    - Chairman, Psychiatry Division, Mission Bay Hospital, San Diego, Ca.1993.

    - Chief of Staff, Clairemont Community Hospital, a 220-bed facility in San Diego, Ca. 1983-1984-1985. A General Hospital, with Emergency Department, Medical-Surgical Department, and thirty-five Bed Psychiatry Department. 

    - Chairman, Department of Psychiatry, Clairemont Community Hospital, San
    Diego, Ca. 1982.

    PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS

    - State of California, Department of Consumer Affairs, Medical Board of California, Diversion Program:  Vice Chairman Southern Division, Served on the Evaluation Committee of the Medical Board. 1995-1997.
  • -Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME), State of California Industrial Board, 1994-2000.

    ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT

    -  Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, University of California at San Diego, School of Medicine, 1976-1994.

    BOARD CERTIFICATION

    - Diplomate, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, 1978.

 

 

 

Specialties

Areas of Effectiveness

  • Depression

    Everyone occasionally feels blue or sad.  But these feelings are usually short-lived and pass within a couple of days.  When you have depression, it interferes with daily life and causes pain for both you and those who care about you.  Biologically caused, depression is the most common mental disorder in America, effecting approximately 17 percent of the population.  (Reference: http://tech.mit.edu/V120/N3/dep1.3n.html)

  • Many people with a depressive illness never seek treatment. But the majority, even those with the most severe depression, can get better with treatment. Medications, psychotherapies, and other methods can effectively treat people with depression.  (Reference: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/what-is-depression.shtml)

    Bipolar Disorder

    Bipolar disorder is a condition in which people go back and forth between periods of a very good or irritable mood and depression. The "mood swings" between mania and depression can be very quick.  (Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001924/)

    Attention Deficit Disorder

    Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood disorders and can continue through adolescence and adulthood. Symptoms include difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior, and hyperactivity (over-activity).  (Reference: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/complete-index.shtml)

    Dr. Wachsman uses the latest advances in psychotherapy and medication in treating attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

    If you think that you or someone you care about may be suffering from ADHD, Dr. Wachsman recommends that you take the following ADHD SELF TEST: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/1041.html. 

    Anxiety Disorders

    Dr. Wachsman frequently sees patients with Anxiety Disorders.  Some of the most common types of these disorders include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder (or social phobia), panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and specific phobias.

    Social Anxiety Disorder is experienced as an overwhelming anxious feeling that someone is watching and judging you.  This fear and worry of humiliation might be so strong that it occurs whenever you're around people or sometimes only in certain situations.  Often it interferes with work and school and can be quite debilitating.  Social Anxiety Disorder is equally likely to affect men and women and is often accompanied by other problems such as depression or substance abuse.

    Panic disorder is a real illness for which there are successful treatments.
     
    If you think that you or someone you care about may be suffering from an anxiety disorder, please contact Dr. Wachsman to schedule an appointment.