Christiana Care Health System is one of the largest health care providers in the mid-Atlantic, serving all of Delaware and parts of PA, MD and NJ.

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American Psychiatry Association : Member

Indo American Psychiatric Association : Member

American Society of Addiction Medicine : Member

American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology : Member

Gambling in patients with major depressive disorder is associated with an elevated risk of Suicide: Insights from 12-years of Nationwide inpatient sample data

Simple Schizophrenia Remains a Complicated Diagnosis Case Report and Literature Review

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Selective Effect s of Individual Antipsychotic Cotreatments on Cardiometabolic and Hormonal Risk Status: Results from a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

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Ayurvedic medicine for schizophrenia

Dr. Vishesh Agarwal is Chief of Addiction Medicine Services at ChristianaCare and a board-certified psychiatrist in general adult and addiction psychiatry. He also oversees the health system’s state-of-the-art behavioral health unit, the embedded crisis units in ChristianaCare’s emergency departments, and serves as a consult liaison for medical floors. Dr. Agarwal is skilled in psychiatric epidemiology, population health and health care management as it relates to behavioral health. His research on substance use disorders and behavioral addictions is frequently published in peer-reviewed medical journals.

Evidence Based Care

Smoking Cessation

Behavioral Addictions

Inpatient Psychiatrist

Addiction Psychiatry

Psychiatry

Crisis Intervention

Risk Assessment

Downloadable Photos of Dr. Vishesh Agarwal

Too much smartphone time may invite host of health woes

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Vishesh Agarwal

vishesh-agarwal-md-appointed-chief-of-addiction-medicine-services

Psychiatrist and national leader in addiction care to advance ChristianaCare’s integrated behavioral health strategy

Chair of Addiction Medicine Services, Vice Chair of Department of Psychiatry

  Vishesh Agarwal, M.D., has been appointed chief of Addiction Medicine Services at ChristianaCare.

In this role, Agarwal will lead and expand ChristianaCare’s comprehensive addiction treatment services, guiding care for people with substance use disorders across inpatient, outpatient, emergency and consultation settings.  He will oversee addiction programs across all campuses, help create consistent care guidelines and support teams of experts working together to provide safe, effective and compassionate care for patients.

A key priority for Agarwal will be to explore strategic growth opportunities to broaden ChristianaCare’s reach and strengthen its impact on individuals and families affected by substance use disorders. His leadership will be instrumental in ensuring that ChristianaCare continues to set the standard for innovation and excellence.

Agarwal will continue in his role as vice chair of the Department of Psychiatry at ChristianaCare, maintaining his leadership of clinical and operational initiatives in the Behavioral Health Service Line. He will continue to lead efforts to improve provider well-being, develop care pathways and foster clinical growth. He also oversees the Behavioral Health Unit, Emergency Department crisis services and psychiatric consultations for hospitalized patients.

Agarwal is board certified in general adult psychiatry, addiction psychiatry and obesity medicine. He has published research on substance use and behavioral addictions in peer-reviewed journals and has presented at national conferences. His 2021 study linking gambling disorder, major depression and suicide risk was published in Addictive Behaviors and gained national attention.

Agarwal holds an Executive MBA from Quantic School of Business and Technology and completed an addiction psychiatry fellowship at the Zucker Hillside Hospital. He completed his psychiatry residency and served as administrative chief resident at Einstein Medical Center. He earned his medical degree from Gauhati Medical College.

Agarwal teaches and mentors psychiatry residents and medical students as a clinical assistant professor at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University. He also co-chairs system committees and serves on the board of the Mental Health Association in Delaware.

He reports to Mustafa Mufti, M.D., chair of the Department of Psychiatry.


Vishesh Agarwal, M.D., Appointed Chief of Addiction Medicine Services

postpandemic-how-alcohol-is-harming-the-health-of-more-women

Study shows increase in alcohol-related complications in women ages 40-64

The prevalence of alcohol-related complications has been steadily increasing over the years, but a significant surge occurred during the pandemic, particularly among women aged 40 to 64.

 According to a JAMA Health Forum report titled High-Acuity Alcohol-Related Complications During the COVID-19 Epidemic, there was a significant increase in severe alcohol-related complications in women and alcoholism. The majority of these, 54% to 66%, were alcohol-related liver disease; smaller numbers, 3% to 5% and 1% to 3% were attributed to alcohol-related cardiomyopathy and alcohol-related gastritis with bleeding, respectively.

What the trends mean   If these trends persist, the increases in alcohol-related complications will continue to harm women. There are several reasons explaining this increase. In addition to the overall increase in alcohol consumption, the pandemic exacerbated feelings of loneliness and uncertainty about the future. Additionally, lockdowns led to more time spent at home – an environment where alcohol is readily available.

How alcohol affects women  Women are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of alcohol due to differences in body structure and chemistry. They absorb more alcohol and take longer to metabolize it. This means smaller amounts of alcohol can cause more serious health issues. Also, the shift towards drinking at home, which was further made easier by convenient online shopping and home delivery during the pandemic, led to increased consumption without judgment.

Addressing any substance misuse needs a multimodal approach. There are treatment options and medications that can help. It is important to wean yourself off alcohol with a doctor’s supervision, as withdrawal can be severe and dangerous.

Getting help  Health care providers, patients and their loved ones can all partner in enhancing education and awareness about alcohol use risks and reducing stigma in seeking treatment when needed. It’s important for women to recognize that they are not alone and that help is available. It is a difficult addiction for anyone to go through, but education and support can significantly improve outcomes. 


Post-Pandemic: How Alcohol Is Harming the Health of More Women

sports-betting-high-stakes-at-a-young-age

Don't roll the dice with this behavioral disorder: Get help

While life may feel like a game, gambling addiction is far from child’s play. Young people are particularly vulnerable and at higher risk for gambling disorders. For those still engaged in their athletic days or recently cut from the team, sports betting may be a particular draw by familiarity.

The rush from gambling is not all about winning but about the excitement and thrill of the gamble itself. It can quickly become a behavioral disorder.

 Why are young people at risk?  Young people are particularly at risk since their brains are not yet fully developed, and they indulge in more risk-taking and reward-seeking behaviors. Also, they may have fewer responsibilities and lesser accountability for their losses.

The rise of smartphones has made sports betting more accessible than ever. Young people are particularly attached to their phones. It’s not mobile phone addiction but cell phone dependence coupled with the fact there is no judgment when gambling online. The anonymity can make them more likely to take the risk.

Recognize red flags  It is crucial to identify problem behaviors. Warning signs include:

Emotional – increased anxiety and irritability, limited frustration tolerance, inability to concentrate on other activities when not gambling. Behavioral – negative effects on personal, social and work or school responsibilities.  If you see or experience these signs, seek help. You or your loved one may benefit from counseling that involves cognitive behavioral therapy, which can reframe their thinking and reinforce positive behaviors over gambling.



Sports Betting: High Stakes at a Young Age

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