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Image of Benjamin Tolchin

Benjamin Tolchin, MD, M.S.

Neurology

Affiliated With: Yale Medicine

This doctor is not currently accepting new patients

This clinician is not accepting new patients at this time. If you are a current patient, please contact the office.

Locations

Yale Physicians Building New Haven, CT 06519

Biography - Benjamin Tolchin, MD, M.S.

Benjamin Tolchin, MD, is a neurologist at Yale Medicine specializing in non-epileptic seizures, particularly psychogenic seizures. These seizures look similar to epileptic ones, but without the characteristic electrical discharges associated with epilepsy. They are usually triggered by an underlying psychological condition such as severe stress or past trauma.

Dr. Tolchin went to medical school at Harvard University and completed his fellowship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. During his residency, he developed an interest in non-epileptic seizures after seeing a patient who required a breathing tube and developed pneumonia as a result of receiving the wrong treatment.

Dr. Tolchin often sees patients referred to him from doctors who are having trouble diagnosing their seizures. He begins by determining what type of seizure the patient has by asking them numerous questions about their condition and what the seizure feels like to them. He then supplements this clinical diagnosis with a variety of tests and imaging, including videos of seizures and EEGs. “Teasing apart the different kinds of seizures and what the appropriate treatment is, is a large part of what I do,” he says.

After diagnosis, Dr. Tolchin helps patients, family and friends understand the condition and how best to manage it. “Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures can be very misunderstood,” he says. “Many people think it’s ‘all in your head,’ when it’s not.”

Once the diagnosis is made, Dr. Tolchin works with the patient and a mental health team to develop an effective treatment strategy, including anti-seizure medications for epileptic seizures, and/or psychotherapy for psychogenic seizures.

For Dr. Tolchin, being able to make a difference in his patients’ lives is the most rewarding part of his job. “When you see a life that was previously very limited suddenly blossom, that’s far and away the most important part of my work. That makes all the difference for me,” he says.

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Overview

Gender

Male

Specialty

Neurology

Language(s)

English

Education & Training

Education

Harvard Medical School

Internship

New York,State Univ Of (Downstate)

Residency

New York Presbyterian Hospital ( Columbia Campus)

Fellowship

Brigham & Women's Hospital

Does this provider accept my Insurance?

YES! This insurance is accepted.

Sorry This insurance may not be accepted.

Accepted Insurance

Please check for your insurance on the list below.

  • AETNA
  • ANTHEM BC/BS
  • CIGNA GATEKEEPER PRO
  • CIGNA HEALTHCARE
  • COMMUNITY CARE NETWORK
  • COMPWORKS
  • CONNECTICARE
  • CONSUMER HEALTH NETWORK
  • CORVEL
  • FIRST HEALTH NETWORK
  • FOCUS HEALTHCARE
  • GREAT WEST
  • HEALTHCARE VALUE MANAGEMENT
  • HUMANA
  • HUSKY
  • MANAGED COMP
  • MEDICAID
  • MEDICARE
  • MULTIPLAN
  • OXFORD HEALTH PLANS
  • PREFERRED HEALTH WORKS
  • PRIME HEALTH SERVICES
  • PRIVATE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM (PHCS)
  • TRICARE - HEALTH NET FEDERAL
  • TRICARE/CHAMPUS
  • UNITED HEALTHCARE
  • WELLCARE

Insurance coverage regularly changes, please contact the doctor’s office directly to verify that your specific insurance plan is accepted.

More About Accepted Insurance

Locations

Map View

800 Howard Ave.
Lower Level
New Haven, CT 06519

Phone: (203) 785-4085
Fax: (203) 785-4937

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