Understanding psychiatry

Psychiatry is the medical field of examining, diagnosing, and treating mental or psychiatric illnesses and disorders. Psychiatrists must complete four years of college and four years of medical school, followed by a four-year general psychiatric residency. After that, they take an exam to become board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

The main difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist is that psychiatrists are medical doctors and can prescribe medication. Some states give psychologists limited privileges to prescribe. However, in the vast majority of situations, only a psychiatrist can prescribe medication. As a result, a psychologist primarily uses talk therapy rather than medication to help the patient understand the issues that are causing them emotional and mental stress. The psychologist helps the patient find more positive ways of dealing with their emotional and mental issues through talk therapy.

Non-invasive psychiatry

It is possible to diagnose mental health conditions through a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. This evaluation is the first step in the treatment process. Some patients have a combination of these mental health issues and require a multi-faceted approach to treatment. Psychiatrists may employ non-invasive treatments such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and other brain stimulation therapies to help reduce or completely eliminate a patient’s symptoms. TMS is a non-invasive psychiatry treatment that uses a pulsed magnetic field to activate specific brain areas in patients with various mental health conditions.

Benefits of non-invasive psychiatry

Dealing with mental illness often requires daily management and a multi-pronged approach to treatment. Though medication can be helpful for many patients, doctors often recommend combining it with counseling from a psychiatrist along with non-invasive treatments. TMS is considered the most common and effective form of non-invasive psychiatry.

Improved behavior and thought patterns

Along with anti-anxiety meds or antidepressants, a person might undergo cognitive-behavioral therapy with a psychiatrist to change anxiety-producing behavior and depressive thought patterns. This is an example of how psychiatry and psychotherapy work together to help patients deal with the complex problem of mental illness.

Enhanced mental wellness

A psychiatrist can help patients regain their sense of well-being. Depending on the patient’s condition, a psychiatrist can help those with attention problems improve their focus, those suffering from depression finally find relief, and those struggling with substance dependency break free. It also helps patients reduce or eliminate their need for medications.

Reduced side effects

There is no need for anesthesia for TMS treatments, and it may be effective even if other methods (such as medicine or therapy) have failed to alleviate the patient’s symptoms. Adverse reactions to antidepressants are common and can include sickness, decreased libido, headaches, sleeplessness, dry mouth, dizziness, and drowsiness. Since it is non-invasive, patients who undergo TMS rarely complain of side effects other than mild headaches, which are temporary and often dissipate soon after their treatment ends.

An alternative option

In some cases, individuals who have tried standard therapies like antidepressant medication without success can experience an improvement in their symptoms after receiving TMS therapy. TMS stimulates the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, a brain region usually underactive in people with depression. Patients in search of a new treatment method different from what they are currently receiving can consider TMS therapy by speaking with a licensed medical professional.

Misdiagnosed mental illness

A psychiatrist can recognize hypothyroidism, a condition easily misdiagnosed as a mental illness. By screening for this condition, they can connect the patient with the correct form of treatment. Even patients dealing with debilitating illnesses such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia can lead happy and productive lives with the help of a psychiatrist.

Seek the help of non-invasive psychiatry

If you or someone you love struggles with emotional or mental health, we are here to help. Many patients do not benefit from medications or report not feeling like themselves when taking medication. Non-invasive psychiatry is effective and produces great long-term results. We can conduct a thorough mental health comprehensive evaluation to correctly diagnose your condition and help you decide on the right treatment based on your options. Call our office today!

Become a new patient today or give us a call: 631-673-3233.