What conditions can a psychiatrist help with?

A psychiatrist has gone through years of additional training and studies revolving around mental health. From depression and bipolar disorder to ADHD and PTSD, a psychiatrist can prescribe and suggest many different tips to help someone living with one or more of these conditions.

One common confusion is thinking that a psychiatrist or psychologist are the same. These two professionals both do focus on treating mental health disorders. However, they work in different capacities.

A therapist focuses on helping a patient cope with the effects of mental health disorders and life issues, while a psychiatrist will primarily deal with the medication management of these disorders, along with speaking to and comparing notes with someone's therapist.

A psychiatrist is a part of your medical team

It is vital that the psychiatrist is involved in all aspects of a person's health. They should communicate with the person's doctor and therapist to ensure that the treatment and their overall health are in the best place.

When a psychiatrist is included in these parts of a person's life, it will significantly help them get the correct treatment and ensure their success in overcoming mental health disorders. Keeping all other aspects of their health in optimal condition will help them make greater strides regarding their mental health.

Which treatment do I need first: substance abuse or mental health treatment?

A few decades ago, getting patients to stop using substances like alcohol and drugs before starting mental health treatment was standard practice, but that is not the case anymore. The relationship between substance abuse and mental health disorders is deeply entwined, so treating both disorders simultaneously often leads to better outcomes.

In some cases, a psychiatrist might address a patient’s physical needs first by providing services like medical detox to help with withdrawal symptoms. Treatment can then address issues that pushed the person to addiction and diagnose mental health disorders created by the addiction.

How do mental health issues cause addiction?

The mental health disorders that make a person more likely to use substances as coping mechanisms include:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Suicidal thoughts

• Erratic eating habits

• Post-traumatic stress disorder

People with these disorders sometimes turn to alcohol and drugs to help them deal with the unmanageable associated symptoms. These substances might initially help numb the pain caused by the mental health disorder or even reduce a few of the symptoms, but over time, their tolerance to the substances increases, and they no longer get the relief that they seek. At this point, addiction also becomes one of the problems that they have to deal with.

Can mental health issues be treated without medication?

Medication often plays an essential role in treating mental health disorders because they effectively reduce the symptoms caused by these disorders. However, psychotherapy can be highly effective as a standalone treatment for mental health disorders. There are also alternative treatments, like transcranial magnetic stimulation. The severity of a patient’s disorder is one of the main factors that a psychiatrist uses to determine if medication should be part of the patient’s treatment. 

Do you think that you could benefit from visiting a psychiatrist?

Most people may think that they could benefit from visiting a psychiatrist. A person should speak with their doctor to get a full list of any medications that they are on and an overview of their health. After doing this, visiting with a psychiatrist for the first time will be smooth and seamless.

After scheduling an appointment, it is best to make a list of the things that you want to speak to the psychiatrist about. This will ensure that any issues that are bothering you will be discussed.

Once you have the evaluation, the psychiatrist will typically recommend certain medications or treatment options that could benefit you. Following through and having an open line of communication with the psychiatrist will significantly help your treatment.

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