Mental Health Conditions a Psychiatrist Can Address
AUSTIN, Texas, March 9, 2023 (Newswire.com) - iQuanti: Psychiatrists diagnose and treat mental health conditions. A psychiatrist can address a range of issues, including depression, panic disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders, substance-use disorders, and more. If you're wondering what to expect—whether you're seeing a psychiatrist in Austin, Miami, Omaha, or somewhere else—here's an overview of what psychiatrists do and what they can help patients with.
What does a psychiatrist do?
Psychiatry is a branch of medicine that diagnoses and treats mental health conditions. Psychiatrists assess physical as well as mental and emotional symptoms.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (licensed as an M.D. or D.O.). Psychiatrists work with patients to assess and diagnose mental health conditions and create an appropriate treatment plan. To diagnose a patient, a psychiatrist may use physiological and lab tests. They will also ask about the patient's symptoms, their family and medical history, and other relevant information to obtain the information they need to make a diagnosis. Psychiatrists typically consult the American Psychiatric Association's manual, called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (the DSM), when assessing symptoms and making a diagnosis.
After making a diagnosis, a psychiatrist may prescribe medication, such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, sedatives, stimulants, or mood stabilizers. They sometimes include scheduled treatments such as electroconvulsive shock treatment (ECT) in a treatment plan. While psychiatrists typically do not perform ongoing therapy themselves, they may recommend regular therapy sessions with a psychologist or other clinician.
Psychiatrists monitor patients as they adjust to medication and other treatments. In follow-up visits, they may adjust the treatment plan by changing the medication or dosage and recommending other treatments.
Conditions treated
Psychiatrists can treat many mental health conditions. These can include substance-use disorders for those struggling with addiction, dementia, anxiety disorders, attention-deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), eating disorders, body dysmorphia, bipolar disorder and other mood disorders, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), postpartum and other types of depression, schizophrenia, sleep-related disorders, and others.
It's important to remember that everyone is different, and treatment plans are tailored to each patient. This means treating panic disorder in one patient may not look exactly like treating the same issue in another. Treatment plans can involve more than one medication.
Speaking with a psychiatrist
Speaking with a psychiatrist can be the first step in improving your mental health. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms or having difficulty functioning in daily life, it may be time to reach out to a psychiatrist and schedule an appointment.
Source: iQuanti, Inc