Dr. David M. Silberhartz, MD

Media Releases

Dr. Silberhartz is a  psychiatrist with nearly four decades of experience in his field. He currently sees patients at his private practice in East Setauket, New York, as well as remains affiliated with Stony Brook University Hospital. 

“Because of the complicated nature of the human experience, I want to always ensure that I take my time with my patients and learn as much about them as possible” as stated by the doctor. 

Growing up in Brooklyn, Dr. Silberhartz obtained his medical degree from Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University in 1980. “I chose Stony Brook because the school offered a new philosophy in medical education: small class size of about 50 students; an above average age of students; great diversity, including about equal numbers of men and women in the class and students from various backgrounds; and less focus on GPA and more focus on life experience” he stated. 

Upon graduation, he went on to complete his internship at Zucker Hillside Hospital in 1981, followed by his residency in psychiatry at Stony Brook University Hospital in 1984.

Licensed to practice medicine in New York, California, and Florida, he is board-certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN). The ABPN is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to promoting high-quality patient care for the public through the initial and continuing certification of psychiatrists and neurologists.

Passionate about helping other physicians join his profession, Dr. Silberhartz established the Silberhartz Family Award to provide funds to medical school graduates who are entering their residency training to become psychiatrists. “My parents taught my brother and me that giving is a privilege, a responsibility, and a necessity. The charitable remainder unitrust was established by my family to support worthy endeavors. In choosing which charities would benefit, I wanted to choose places/causes that meant a lot to my family. This gift is in honor of my family name — they made me who I am” expressed the doctor. 

Psychiatry is the medical specialty devoted to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of mental disorders. These include various maladaptations related to mood, behavior, cognition, and perceptions. Psychiatrists evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients with mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. They conduct thorough psychiatric evaluations, develop treatment plans, prescribe medication, and evaluate treatment results.

On a more personal note, Dr. Silberhartz and his wife, Sheila, have been married for 40 years. They have one child and two grandchildren.

Recommended Articles

• Pseudoseizures

  OverviewA seizure is a sudden event caused by an uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain. When a seizure happens, you lose control of your body, possibly lose consciousness, and convulse. Seizures can also cause behavioral changes and changes in the levels of your consciousness, including...

• What is Autistic Disorder

  Autistic disorder is defined as the most severe type of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). It is also called classic autism or Kanner’s Syndrome. This developmental disorder is characterized by challenges with communication, social interaction, and behavior. Autistic people often avoid interaction...

• What is Postpartum Depression?

  After delivering a child, a mother can succumb to overwhelming emotions of fear and anxiety, which can ultimately lead to her development of depression. Postpartum depression (PPD) is a multitude of depressed emotions in the mother, which develop within four weeks of delivery. Baby blues, which most...

• Can Schizophrenia Be Treated?

  Schizophrenia is a severe disorder of the mind that requires lifelong treatment. An individual suffering from this disorder is not able to identify the difference between what actually exists and what is in their mind. This disorder has an adverse effect on the way an individual thinks and reacts to...

• Understanding Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS)

  Most patients who are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis usually fall under the category of having RRMS. In most patients, relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in the course of the disease changes after several decades and usually becomes worse, and the patient’s diagnosis is likely to progress...

• What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

  Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is an anxiety disorder that a person develops after witnessing a very stressful and terrifying event. In most cases, the person must have faced a life-threatening event or an incident in which serious injury was involved. Events that trigger fear,...